Position
Advertisement –Executive Director of the UIC Innovation Center
The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) is a leading research institution in one of the worlds greatest cities. As the preeminent public university in the Chicago area, UIC serves approximately 25,000 students within 15 colleges. With the nation's largest medical school and recognized programs in marketing and entrepreneurship, industrial and graphic design, architecture, electronic visualization, computer science, and mechanical and industrial engineering, UIC is ideally suited to initiate programs and activities that utilize our rich multidisciplinary academic resources in partnership with local, national, and international organizations.
The UIC Innovation Center represents a major cross-campus initiative led by the Office of the Provost and initially supported by our founding partner, Motorola. Located in a newly renovated 10,000 sq.ft. research and collaboration space equipped for physical and virtual prototyping, the UIC Innovation Center is ideally positioned midway between East Campus where UICs business, design, and engineering programs reside, and West Campus: home to UIC Medical Center and health sciences departments. Through the programs and activities of the Innovation Center, UIC will become a national leader in educating for innovation, creating breakthrough integrative designs and technologies, and commercializing technology and ideas.
UIC is currently seeking an ambitious individual to lead the Innovation Center. Through engagement in interdisciplinary innovationlinking university departments and programs with current and potential external partnersthe Director will work to expand and enhance current education and development efforts, to grow offerings and activities, and to establish and maintain a self-sustaining financial model for the Center. The following will be required of the UIC Innovation Center Director:
Outreach and Business Development
- Bring industry thought leaders together with university experts to seed innovative thinking and to enable collaboration in design, technology, products, services, and business models.
- Cultivate external partners to initiate collaborative research with university resources.
- Develop compelling tools, activities, and offerings that will accelerate partner and prototype development.
- Develop and guide commercialization activity.
Education
- Establish the UIC Innovation Center as a leader in education for innovation.
- Leverage University resources/offerings with external partners/interests.
- Interact with faculty to effectively support education and research activities.
- Work with college deans and directors to develop and manage innovation certification and executive education programs.
- Integrate new Masters in Product Development program opportunities within the Innovation Center working closely with the faculty director.
Managing Innovation Center / Operations
- Develop and manage a strategic plan to maximize self-funding opportunities.
- Integrate resources of the University that can be leveraged in the Innovation Center.
- Lead day-to-day operations of the UIC Innovation Center.
- Work with the UIC Office of Development in developing sustainable corporate partnerships.
- Participate as a source of connection between the University and external partners.
- Lead revenue generation: research, training, workshops, events, and space rental.
- Facilitate post-launch assessment of newly implemented initiatives.
Candidates for this position must hold the minimum of a Bachelors degree; Masters or other advanced degree preferred. Minimum 5-7 years of professional experience with a record of accomplishments sufficient to establish a reputation for leadership at the intersection of the academy and industry. Fundraising and/or business development experience; preferred experience in managing a self-supporting enterprise; In-depth and thorough knowledge of products, strategic/analytic, and marketing concepts; Experience generating and testing hypotheses; Excellent strategic and critical thinking skills; Experience evaluating new product/market ideas; Demonstrated excellence in personnel and project management skills; Organizational and administrative skills; Experience developing and/or working with Advisory Board members; Superior interpersonal communication and presentation skills; Creative thinking and open-minded approach to learning and exploring new areas/opportunities; Familiarity with design and technology.
For full consideration, nominations and applications should be received by November 15, 2009. Electronic applications are welcome at innovdirsearch@uic.edu. Applications, including curriculum vitae and the names and contact information for a minimum of three references, should be addressed to:
Stefanie Lenway and Marcia Lausen
Co-Chairs, Search Committee for the Executive Director of the UIC Innovation Center
University of Illinois at Chicago
Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs HR (m/c 095)
1253 S. Halsted St., Suite 303
Chicago, IL 60607-5023
http://www.uic.edu/depts/oaa/search
The University of Illinois at Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Underrepresented groups and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.