Executive Dir, OCAST

Executive Dir, OCAST

The Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) serves as Oklahoma's leading catalyst for science, technology, and innovation. OCAST's mission is to foster innovation in existing and developing businesses by supporting applied research and technology implementation, facilitating technology transfer between research laboratories and businesses, providing seed capital for innovative firms in the development of new products or services, and helping Oklahoma's small and medium-sized manufacturing firms become more competitive through increased productivity and modernization.

The State of Oklahoma seeks applications for the position of Executive Director at the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST). The position reports to, and at the pleasure of, the Oklahoma Science & Technology Research & Development (OSTRaD) Board. This position is a full-time position in the state government. OCAST offers a comprehensive benefits package, including a generous benefit allowance to offset the cost of insurance premiums for employees and their eligible dependents. For more information about the benefit allowance, visit the Oklahoma State Benefits Overview. The starting annual salary for this position is $175,000+ based on education and experience.

Position Overview

The Executive Director serves as the strategic and operational leader of the organization, providing vision, leadership, and subject-matter expertise to advance science and technology across Oklahoma. This individual must combine strong technical knowledge with the ability to identify, evaluate, and scale emerging technologies that demonstrate significant commercial and economic potential. The role also requires experience managing and deploying capital in early-stage technology investments.

The Executive Director will play a key role in strengthening Oklahoma's science and technology ecosystem by building partnerships across industry, academia, government, and external stakeholders. Responsibilities include overseeing agency staff, guiding organizational strategy, and managing multiple funding programs that support innovation and economic growth throughout the state.

Successful candidates will possess the education, leadership experience, and strategic expertise necessary to lead OCAST in fulfilling its mission and responsibilities as set out in 74 O.S. § 5060.1, et seq. Candidates should also have experience in, or a strong working knowledge of, applied research and development, technology-based entrepreneurship, capital investment, business models, technology transfer, and the commercialization process.

Core Responsibilities

· The Executive Director leads the day-to-day strategic and operational activities of OCAST, overseeing agency staff, budgets, funding programs, and technology investment initiatives that support science, innovation, and economic development across Oklahoma. On a daily basis, the role involves collaborating with industry leaders, universities, government agencies, legislators, entrepreneurs, and investors to strengthen Oklahoma's technology ecosystem and advance commercialization opportunities.

· Key responsibilities include evaluating emerging technologies and early-stage ventures for investment potential, overseeing research and innovation funding programs, guiding technology transfer and commercialization efforts, and helping move research from development into practical market applications. The Executive Director also develops organizational strategy, monitors performance metrics and KPIs, secures additional grant and investment funding, ensures regulatory and governance compliance, and represents OCAST in meetings with public and private stakeholders.

· The role combines executive leadership, technology evaluation, partnership development, financial oversight, and innovation strategy to help modernize Oklahoma's economy through science- and technology-driven growth.

Other Responsibilities

· Reports to the OSTRaD Board during quarterly meetings and as otherwise requested.

· Collaborates with the OSTRaD Board to develop and implement OCAST's operational plan, ensuring appropriate external reviews, effective use of staff resources, and active committee engagement that leverages the expertise of OSTRaD Board members.

· Serves as the executive representative of OCAST and the OSTRaD Board in regular meetings with private-sector companies, public agency leaders, legislators, and agency partners.

· Performs additional duties and responsibilities as assigned by the OSTRaD Board.

Required Experience & Qualifications

· Executive leadership experience in a science, technology, innovation, or economic development organization.

· Experience in research and development, technology commercialization, or technology-based entrepreneurship.

· Experience deploying capital or managing investments in early-stage technology ventures.

· Expertise in budgeting and financial oversight within a complex or regulated environment.

· Experience leading and managing professional and technical staff.

· Working knowledge of state agency or corporate governance practices.

· Demonstrated success in building partnerships across industry, academia, and government sectors.

· An advanced degree in science, engineering, business, public administration, or a related field is preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

· Candidates should have a background in business, science, engineering, or other technology-driven fields.

· Experience leading innovation programs, grantmaking initiatives, or portfolio management efforts is preferred.

· Familiarity with Oklahoma's economic, academic, or technology ecosystem is desirable.

· Equivalent executive-level experience may be considered in lieu of specific qualifications.

· Preference may be given to candidates with:

· A PhD, MBA, JD, or another advanced degree.

· Five or more years of direct experience in a scientific or technological subject-matter domain.

· Five or more years of experience in technology commercialization and economic development, including activities across the technology value chain such as intellectual property development and protection, technology transfer, investment in emerging technologies, risk mitigation, and attracting additional capital investment.

· Experience founding and launching a technology-based company, with demonstrated success in business creation, financing, and operational execution.

· Five or more years of management experience supervising director-level staff in either a public agency or private-sector organization.

Knowledge and Skills

· Demonstrated skills and competencies required in the following areas:

· Budgeting and financial management

· Oral and written communication

· Leading and directing professional, technical, and administrative staff

· Building and maintaining effective working relationships with staff, private-sector partners, academic institutions, and public officials

· Developing and implementing short-, medium-, and long-term strategic plans to achieve organizational and state goals

· Working knowledge of state agency or business governance and administration, including transparency requirements, statutory compliance, and accountability standards.

· Experience in, or strong working knowledge of, research and development, technology-based entrepreneurship, capital investment, business models, technology transfer, and technology commercialization processes.

What This Role Offers

• A unique opportunity to help shape the future of Oklahoma's innovation economy.
• The ability to influence statewide research and development, entrepreneurship, and technology commercialization initiatives.
• The opportunity to lead a mission-driven organization with significant statewide impact.

Equal Opportunity Employment

The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.