Executive Director of the Metro State Applied Innovation Institute (MSAII)

All Job Postings will close at 12:01 a.m. CT on the specified Closing Date (if designated).

Working Title: Executive Director of the Metro State Applied Innovation Institute (MSAII)
Institution: Metropolitan State University
Classification Title: Non Employee Bargaining Unit / Union: Contingent Workers
City: St. Paul
FLSA: Non Job Exempt
Full Time / Part Time: Full time
Employment Condition: Volunteer
Salary Range: (Please disregard the Volunteer employment status, this is a MSAII paid position)

Metro State Applied Innovation Institute (MSAII) is an independent 501 (c) (3) foundation established to support and conduct scientific research and educational and informational activities in areas such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and other related cutting-edge technologies for the benefit of Metro State University, Minnesota’s public, urban university with robust academic programs in these fields. Metropolitan State is recognized by CollegeNet as a leading higher education promoter of social mobility for students (Ranked # 12 out of 1,398 in 2026) and is ranked by Washington Monthly as #13 out 585 national Master’s Universities and one of its twenty-five Best in Class Colleges. MSAII is seeking to hire an Executive Director. This is a full-time position within MSAII; thus, the Executive Director is not a State of Minnesota employee.

Responsibilities

• Institute Operations and Business Model Development: The Executive Director develops and manages the Institute’s sustainable operating model, including revenue-generating training, contract research, sponsored projects, cyber range services, certification preparation, and custom employer solutions.
• External Partnerships and Client Relationship Management: In collaboration with the Chief Innovation and Research Officer, the Executive Director serves as an external-facing representative of the Institute with business, government, defense, nonprofit, education, workforce, and community partners.
• Contract Research and Sponsored Project Support: The Executive Director supports the business and administrative aspects of contract research, STTR-related activities, appropriations-funded work, sponsored projects, and applied innovation projects.
• Training, Certification, and Revenue-Generating Programs: The Executive Director oversees the business model for training, certification, and other revenue-generating programs associated with the Institute.
• Financial Management and Sustainability: The Executive Director is responsible for developing and monitoring the financial model necessary to sustain and grow the Institute.
• Internal Coordination and Governance: The Executive Director coordinates with the MSAII Board and across Metro State units, faculty leads, staff, external partners, and Minnesota State system offices as needed.
• Strategic Growth and Institutional Positioning: The Executive Director works with Institute leadership and the board to position MSAII as a statewide and regional leader in cybersecurity, AI, applied innovation, defense-adjacent workforce development, public-sector technology capacity, and responsible technology adoption.

Salary Range: $210,000 to $225,000 annually.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree
• Four years of leadership in business development, sponsored project, nonprofit, or research administration experience.
• Experience with budget development, revenue modeling, developing and managing grants or contracts or fee-for-service programs.
• Experience working with universities, government agencies, nonprofits, industry partners, and public-sector organizations.
• Demonstrated success in collaborating cross-institutionally and with external organizations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctoral degree.
• Degree or Certificate in business, public administration, nonprofit management, higher education administration, technology management.
• Experience building or scaling a nonprofit, research institute, innovation center, workforce intermediary, training enterprise, or fee-for-service program.
• Experience with sponsored research, STTR/SBIR-adjacent work, government contracting, public/private partnerships, or defense-adjacent projects.
• Familiarity with university governance, faculty roles, labor considerations, grants administration, procurement, finance, and compliance routing.
• Experience developing revenue-generating training, certification preparation, cyber range services, continuing education, or employer-facing workforce programs.
• Experience preparing board materials, executive briefings, proposals, budgets, dashboards, and strategic plans.
• Familiarity with Minnesota cybersecurity, AI, workforce, public-sector technology, or defense innovation ecosystems.

MSAII is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Benefits Information

IMPORTANT NOTE: The following benefits information does not apply to this position. Benefits are administered by MSAII.

• We offer a comprehensive benefits package that features low-cost medical and dental insurance with affordable deductibles, employer-paid life insurance, short- and long-term disability, and pre-tax healthcare and dependent care accounts with a roll-over option.
• To further support your holistic health, employees also have access to a confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health, legal, and financial counseling.
• Detailed plan details, rates, and coverage choices can be reviewed directly via the State Employee Group Insurance Program (SEGIP) website.
• To support your life outside of work, our package includes 12 paid holidays, generous vacation and sick time, and six weeks of Paid Parental Leave.
• We also help you secure your financial future with a robust Pension Plan, 457(b) and 403(b) retirement accounts, and various investment options.
• Furthermore, we invest in your growth by providing dedicated professional development and tuition waivers for both you and your dependents.

Please note that specific benefit eligibility and coverage levels may vary depending on the type of position, employee classification, and collective bargaining agreements.

Desirable Start Date: Position End Date: Open Date: 09-08-2026 Close Date: 10-30-2026

Open Until Filled. Priority Applications must be received by 11:59 PM on September 22nd, 2026.