Executive Director of Innovation & Industry Partnerships

Job Title Executive Director of Innovation & Industry Partnerships Agency East Texas A&M University Department Office of Research and Sponsored Programs Proposed Minimum Salary Commensurate Job Location Commerce, Texas Job Type Staff Job Description Summary The Executive Director of Innovation & Industry Partnerships provides strategic and operational leadership for innovation, entrepreneurship, venture development, commercialization support, and industry engagement at East Texas A&M University. Reporting to the Vice President for Research and Economic Development, the Executive Director leads the Venture College and connects university talent and capabilities with entrepreneurs, companies, investors, economic development organizations, and communities. The Executive Director develops a university-wide innovation ecosystem that advances promising ideas through validation, partnership, commercialization, or venture formation. The position serves as a key connector among the university, industry, entrepreneurs, investors, and Texas A&M Innovation, consistent with applicable university and Texas A&M University System policies. This is a hands-on, outward-facing position based in Commerce, Texas, with periodic travel to the Dallas campus and other locations as required. Duties & Responsibilities Innovation and Venture College Leadership Provide strategic and operational leadership for university innovation, entrepreneurship, and venture-development activities under the direction of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development. Lead and manage the Venture College, including program design, entrepreneur and innovator recruitment, mentoring, workshops, customer-discovery activities, pitch events, competitions, and other venture-development initiatives. Develop a visible and accessible pipeline that helps faculty, staff, and students assess ideas, validate opportunities, connect with mentors and partners, and pursue appropriate pathways to impact. Build a culture of innovation across the university through collaboration with academic colleges, administrative units, student-support programs, alumni, and external stakeholders. Develop annual priorities, operating plans, participation goals, and outcome measures for Venture College and related innovation programs. Commercialization and Entrepreneur Support Serve as an institutional resource and connector for faculty, staff, and students seeking to advance inventions, discoveries, creative works, business concepts, and other innovations. Work collaboratively with Texas A&M Innovation and appropriate university offices to connect innovators with resources related to intellectual property, market assessment, technology commercialization, licensing, and new-venture formation. Provide or coordinate practical assistance in customer discovery, business-model de #J-18808-Ljbffr