OnRamp Hub Ecosystem Engagement Lead

Position Details Position Information Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 27094 For questions regarding this position, please contact: Teri Nightingale Email: View email address on click.appcast.io Phone: View phone number on click.appcast.io Classification Title Program/Project Lead Working Title OnRamp Hub Ecosystem Engagement Lead Brief Position Overview The Ecosystem Engagement Lead plays a vital role in building and sustaining a regional defense innovation ecosystem that advances the mission of the DIU OnRamp Hub. This position serves as the primary connector between DIU and regional stakeholders including startups, academic researchers, government agencies, and industry partners by leading outreach, relationship cultivation, and community programming. The Ecosystem Engagement Lead is responsible for planning and executing events, increasing awareness of DIU opportunities, and fostering public-private partnerships that align with national security innovation goals. Supports DIU’s strategic objectives by aligning outreach and engagement with DIU’s three Lines of Effort: synchronizing warfighter needs with commercial capabilities, lowering barriers to DoW entry, and catalyzing a unified innovation ecosystem. Additionally, this role has responsibility for continuously scanning the commercial, dual-use, and venture-backed technology landscape to surface companies whose capabilities are relevant to current and anticipated mission requirements. This role requires exceptional communication skills, the ability to represent DIU’s mission externally, and a proactive approach to ecosystem development. Position Number 4C9735 Department Inst National Security Rrsch & Ed Division Office of Research and Economic Development Appointment Type Professional Contract Term Fiscal Year Semester If other, specify From date If other, specify End date FLSA Exempt Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining FTE 1.0 Benefits Eligible Eligible Salary Salary commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications. Contract Type LOA If other, please specify Recruitment Type Open General Statement The Ecosystem Engagement Lead role is characterized by being highly public-facing and responsible for cultivating and sustaining a robust defense innovation ecosystem across Montana and the broader region. Success in this position is measured by the ability to proactively engage startups, researchers, investors, government leaders, and academic institutions, resulting in expanded participation in OnRamp programming and measurable progress in transitioning dual-use technologies into Department of War use through DIU’s processes. Critical to the role is a deep understanding of developing innovation ecosystems, dual-use technology pathways, and Department of War requirements. The Ecosystem Engagement Lead must demonstrate strong communication and listening skills, independent judgment, advanced stakeholder management, and the ability to represent DIU’s mission with executive presence across diverse public and private forums. This position requires extensive experience in program execution, external stakeholder engagement, and adherence to federal compliance and reporting standards. Duties and Responsibilities Represent DIU and the OnRamp Hub at public events, regional convenings, and national forums, delivering messaging aligned with DIU’s brand and strategic objectives. Lead external engagement efforts that catalyze regional innovation ecosystems, including partnerships with dual-use startups, research institutions, venture networks, and defense stakeholders. Develop and execute ecosystem engagement strategies that drive participation in DIU initiatives, accelerators, and transition pathways. Curate and host DIU-branded events, workshops, and convenings at the Hub’s physical space, with the ability to support events of 100+ participants. Collaborate with the Managing Director and DIU leadership to identify Strategic Impact Projects and coordinate their delivery. Oversee qualitative and quantitative reporting of engagement metrics, success stories, digital reach, and transition outcomes. Ensure all public communications, branding, and event promotion meet DIU and DoW standards. Lead in-state travel and national coordination efforts to support DIU campaign planning, stakeholder meetings, and ecosystem assessments. Proactively identify emerging companies, through venture capital networks, accelerator and incubator relationships, conference and demo-day attendance, technical literature, and direct outreach, building technology relevant to mission-critical DoW need. Develop and apply a consistent qualification framework to assess technical maturity, dual-use potential, team strength, and alignment to specific DoW/DIU problem statements or priority areas. Build and sustain relationships with venture capital firms, accelerators, university technology transfer offices, and other deal-flow sources to ensure consistent, high-quality visibility into emerging companies. Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, public policy, business, or related field. 10+ years of professional experience in ecosystem building, strategic partnerships, or innovation programming or community engagement. Familiarity with Department of War acquisition pathways, DIU initiatives, or dual-use technology transition processes. Strong record of event planning, external communication, and coalition building across multiple sectors. Demonstrated ability to collect, analyze, and report programmatic data to federal stakeholders. Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills Master’s degree in related field. Experience leading multi-stakeholder regional initiatives. Experience with DIU, SBIR/STTR programs, or defense innovation communities. Experience with data driven reporting, KPI tracking, and federal performance metrics (SITREPS, quarterly reporting). Technical background (engineering, applied physics, computer science, or related discipline) sufficient to credibly evaluate emerging technology across multiple domains; advanced degree preferred. Experience in venture capital, technology scouting, corporate venture, accelerator/incubator management, or a technical role within a defense innovation organization (e.g., DIU, a Service innovation unit, or an FFRDC/UARC). The Successful Candidate Will High-level interpersonal and diplomatic communication skills with ability to engage senior executives, elected officials, and government representatives. Proven ability to manage cross-sector relationships and build coalitions around national security innovation goals. Confidence and presence in public settings, panels, and executive briefings. Capacity to work independently in a fast-paced, mission-aligned environment. Position Special Requirements/Additional Information This position is contingent upon continued grant funding. Must possess a valid driver’s license, an acceptable driving record, and meet all State of Montana requirements to operate State/University vehicles. (If successful candidate possesses a valid out-of-state driver’s license, must obtain a valid Montana driver’s license within 60 days of hire.) Successful candidate must be able to comply with the federally mandated requirements of U.S. export control laws, which may require proof that candidate is a U.S. person. Per 22 CFR 120.15, U.S. person means a person who is a lawful permanent resident as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) or who is a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). This position may require the ability to obtain a Security Clearance, pass the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Fitness requirements to obtain DHS security credentials, and/or meet other government-defined restrictions appropriate for work level and access. Other security-related requirements will include receiving favorable background checks by state and federal agencies pursuant to federal law and regulations. This position requires ability to travel via all modes of transport when necessary to interact with DoW and/or DHS customers, including travel throughout the Continental U.S. as well as Alaska, Hawaii, U.S territories and possessions, and possibly other worldwide locations. This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Physical Demands To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. This position has supervisory duties? No Posting Detail Information Number Of Vacancies 1 Desired Start Date Upon Completion Of a Successful Search Position End Date (if Temporary) Open Date Close Date Applications Will Be Screening of applications will begin on October 16, 2026 ; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established. Special Instructions EEO Statement Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law. In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile. #J-18808-Ljbffr