Executive Director of Innovation

Position Information

Posting Number
S05651P

Position Title
Executive Director of Innovation

Department
Entre & Tech Development

Location
Arlington

Job Family
Research

Position Status
Full-time

Work Hours
Standard

Work Schedule

Monday-Friday; 8:30am-5:30pm.

• Hybrid eligible.
• Occasional work at other locations in the DFW region is expected, as is occasional travel to other locations.
• Some evening work may be required.

Open to
External and Internal

Salary
Salary is commensurate based on qualifications and relevant experience.

Duration
Funding expected to continue

Pay Basis
Monthly

Benefits Eligible
Yes

Benefits at UTA

We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to all our employees at the University.
https://www.uta.edu/hr/employee-benefits

To help you understand the full value of these benefits, we have created a tool that calculates the total worth of your compensation package. This tool takes into account all of the benefits that you are eligible for, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. To access this tool and learn more about the total value of your benefits, please click on the following link:
https://resources.uta.edu/hr/services/records/compensation-tools.php

University Information

The University of Texas at Arlington is located in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metroplex, a vibrant and diverse metropolitan area that is home to over 7 million people, one of the fastest-growing tech economies in the United States, and a wide array of arts, entertainment, and cultural activities. UTA is a comprehensive teaching, research, and public service institution dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through scholarship and creative work. The University is committed to providing access and ensuring student success, and to a culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, and commercialization of discoveries by our community of scholars. With an enrollment of more than 40,000 students, UTA is the second largest in the University of Texas System. As a result of its combination of rigorous academics and innovative research, UTA is designated as a Carnegie R-1 “Very High Research Activity” institution. UTA ranks No. 4 nationally in Military Times’ annual “Best for Vets: Colleges” list and is among the top 30 performers nationwide for promoting social mobility of its graduates (U.S. News & World Report, 2023). UTA is designated by the U.S. Department of Education as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution ( HSI ) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution ( AANAPISI ), and it has one of the top 5 most ethnically diverse undergraduate student bodies in the United States (U.S. News & World Report, 2023). Its approximately 270,000 alumni, including some who occupy leadership positions at many of the 24 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in North Texas, contribute to UTA’s $22.2 billion annual economic impact on Texas.

Furthermore, UTA is poised to experience widespread growth in the near future. The university recently launched the first phase of its RISE 100 initiative aimed at recruiting 100 new tenure-system faculty to amplify research standing and position UTA as a leader in key scholarly areas; more details are available at https://www.uta.edu/administration/president/strategic-plan/rise100 . The successful candidate for this position will have the opportunity to join UTA during an exciting period of growth and contribute as the university broadens its impact.

Job Summary

The Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology Development fosters a vibrant and supportive atmosphere for our students, scholars, and researchers as they drive to innovate, commercialize new technologies, and pioneer new companies that will impact our North Texas communities and the global economy for decades into the future. The Executive Director of Innovation for the Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology Development will be responsible for ensuring UTA research generates positive societal and commercial outcomes on a regional, national, and international scale. Role reports to UTA’s Chief Entrepreneurship and Innovation Officer. This role is expected to work primarily on campus providing face-to-face programming and being available to meet with students, faculty, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Build the value of UTA’s innovation portfolio by training, supporting, and managing staff to identify high priority opportunities and advance them through the commercialization lifecycle, inclusive of corporate partnerships, licensing, and startup company formation and growth.
• Build and manage support networks and programs, including a subject matter expert network, an in-Residence Program, a gap funding grant program, and other initiatives to support UTA research and its commercialization.
• Identify and support pursuit of major university and regional government grants and industry relationships that advance the commercialization and impact of UTA research.
• Manage UTA’s IP portfolio, direct IP strategy, and oversee IP prosecution & assessment.
• Manage relationships with UTA startup licensees, as well UTA’s equity portfolio and stock ownership compliance.
• Support licensing and contract negotiations with startups, industry, and collaborating universities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Advanced degree (MS, MBA, JD) in relevant area with ten years direct experience in management and strategic leadership role and/or equivalent combination of relevant experience, education, or training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience building university research and commercialization programs, as well as building and managing teams, and providing administrative leadership.
• Previous experience pursuing major regional economy initiatives and grants.
• Successful track record of establishing deep and trusted relationships with industry and public sector stakeholders.
• Experience building and supporting startup companies, including work with all types of investors.
• Deep understanding of domestic and international patenting systems, including different strategies for IP prosecution.
• Expert financial operations and budgeting experience with demonstrated fiscal discipline and responsibility for financial resources.
• Experience building and utilizing data analytics capabilities across the organization, including use of data for metrics for quantitative and qualitative decision-making throughout the organization.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Proven capability to build and manage high functioning teams.
• Strategic planning expertise.
• Deep understanding of higher education, including research funding, workforce development, and traditional technology transfer models.
• Experience developing new programs and strategic partnerships.
• Ability to mentor, coach, and manage junior staff and teams.
• Comfort performing in highly entrepreneurial, fast paced environments with continual change.

Other Requirements

Working Conditions

Special Conditions for Eligibility

CBC Requirement

It is the policy of The University of Texas at Arlington to conduct a criminal background check on any applicant who is under final consideration for employment with the University.

EEO Statement

It is the policy of The University of Texas at Arlington ( UTA or The University) to provide an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. In accordance with federal and state law, the University prohibits unlawful discrimination, including harassment, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, and/or veteran status. The University also prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity, and gender expression. Retaliation against persons who oppose a discriminatory practice, file a charge of discrimination, or testify for, assist in, or participate in an investigative proceeding relating to discrimination is prohibited. Constitutionally-protected expression will not be considered discrimination or harassment under this policy. It is the responsibility of all departments, employees, and students to ensure the University’s compliance with this policy.

ADA Accommodations

The University of Texas at Arlington is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to 817-272-5554 or email ADADocs@uta.edu .

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies
1

Open Until Filled

Minimum Number of References Required
3

Maximum Number of References Accepted
3

Special Instructions to Applicants

Applicants must include in their online resume the following information: 1) Employment history: name of company, period employed (from month/year to month/year), job title, summary of job duties and 2) Education: school name, degree type, and major.
Requirement Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * What is the highest level of education attained?
   • GED
   • High School Diploma
   • Associate's Degree
   • Bachelor's Degree
   • Master's Degree
   • PhD or equivalent
2. * How many years of experience do you have working in an academic environment?
   • None/less than 2 years
   • 2 to 3 years
   • 4 to 5 years
   • 6 years or more
3. * How many years of professional experience do you have in the related field?
   • None/less than 2 years
   • 2 to 3 years
   • 4 to 5 years
   • 6 years or more

Documents Needed To Apply
Required Documents

1. Resume or CV
2. Cover/Interest Letter

Optional Documents

1. Other Document(s)