Director of the Branam and Kremer Innovation Centers (BIC/KIC)

Director of the Branam and Kremer Innovation Centers (BIC/KIC)

For 27 consecutive years, Rose‑Hulman Institute of Technology has been ranked the No. 1 undergraduate engineering institution in the United States. Central to this distinction are the Branam Innovation Center (BIC) and Kremer Innovation Center (KIC)—30,000 square feet of dynamic makerspaces where students design, build, compete, and transform bold ideas into reality. Rose‑Hulman seeks a visionary and energetic leader to direct these centers, help coach nationally competitive student teams, and inspire the next generation of STEM innovators. This is a rare opportunity to lead at the intersection of hands‑on engineering, student mentorship, and institutional strategy while reporting directly to the Provost as a member of the Academic Affairs Leadership team.

The Director of the Branam and Kremer Innovation Centers (BIC/KIC) provides strategic vision, executive leadership, and external advocacy for Rose‑Hulman Institute of Technology's innovation ecosystem while serving as the Institute's primary ambassador for the Centers. The Director establishes, models, and maintains the positive "can do" attitude of the Innovation Centers. This senior leadership role is responsible for shaping the long‑term direction of the BIC/KIC; securing external funding and strategic partnerships; and promoting the Centers to alumni, industry partners, donors, and prospective students. The Director ensures that facilities, staffing, and programming are aligned with institutional priorities and advance student learning, engagement, and success.

The Director develops and advances a clear, forward‑looking vision for the BIC/KIC that aligns with Rose‑Hulman's strategic goals. This includes leading comprehensive strategic planning for the Centers' physical facilities, programming portfolio, staffing models, and future growth while incorporating emerging trends in innovation, entrepreneurship, and experiential learning. The Director balances long‑range strategy with effective stewardship of resources and infrastructure to ensure sustainable impact.

The Director provides specialized, hands‑on coaching to select high‑impact student competition teams and recruits, supports, and sets shared expectations for faculty and staff advisors. Leveraging subject‑matter expertise, the Director guides competition strategies, performance goals, and multi‑year team development, tracking outcomes and driving continuous improvement. Serving as the primary liaison with external competition organizations and governing bodies, the Director monitors rule changes, emerging technologies, and industry trends, and analyzes performance metrics to inform strategic decision‑making and enhance competitive success.

Day‑to‑day operational and technical activities are supported by professional staff and student employees under the Director's leadership. The Director provides administrative supervision and technical mentorship, ensures effective communication and information flow across teams, and emphasizes safety oversight, risk management, and cross‑campus collaboration. Responsibilities include developing, planning, implementing, and administering organizational goals and objectives in accordance with Institute policies and applicable laws.

The Director works closely with Advancement, Career Services, Enrollment Management, Communications and Marketing, and other campus stakeholders to secure funding, support student recruitment, promote the BIC/KIC, integrate competition‑based experiences into academic learning objectives, establish verified micro‑credentialing and skills badging, and strengthen student pathways and post‑graduate outcomes.

As a member of the Academic Affairs Leadership team, the Director contributes to setting institutional and departmental strategic priorities, ensures alignment with Rose‑Hulman's mission and goals, and participates in budgeting and resource planning by identifying project needs and priorities. The Director serves on committees and working groups and represents the Institute, Academic Affairs, and the Centers at meetings and functions as needed. Other duties are performed as assigned to support institutional needs.

Qualified candidates will hold a bachelor's degree in engineering or a closely related technical field is required, along with five or more years of relevant professional experience. Qualified candidates will demonstrate familiarity with experiential learning environments, engineering competition teams, entrepreneurship, design, or innovation center programming. The role requires a proven record of building successful external partnerships, securing grants, or leading resource development initiatives, as well as the ability to effectively lead professional staff and manage complex programs or facilities. Strong communication skills are essential, along with the ability to represent the Institute confidently and effectively to both internal and external stakeholders.

In addition to the above qualifications, preferred candidates will have an advanced graduate degree in a relevant field, along with eight or more years of related professional experience. Highly desirable qualifications include experience with fundraising, donor engagement, corporate partnerships, or other advancement‑related activities. Experience working with collegiate or advanced high school competition teams—as a participant, coach, or advisor—is also preferred. Familiarity with technical innovation centers is valued, including hands‑on environments and the safe use of industrial tools such as woodworking equipment, 3D printing, metal fabrication, circuitry, and combustible materials (e.g., rocketry). Experience overseeing or supporting training in these settings, with a demonstrated focus on safety, risk management, and effective supervision, is considered a strong asset.

At Rose-Hulman, your successes are celebrated in a welcoming, supportive, and flexible environment with a number of benefits and resources including a variety of health benefit options; voluntary benefits such as Group Accident and/or Group Critical Illness Insurance, Pet Insurance, and Caregiver Resources; participation in Tuition Exchange; a generous and flexible paid leave program and dedicated time for professional development. As a Rose-Hulman employee, you will also enjoy access to full-service fitness facilities and programming; a performing arts center featuring national touring acts and campus productions; and access to state-of-the-art labs, facilities, and equipment. All employees experience opportunities to have an impact on student lives and be part of a greater purpose through multidisciplinary project collaboration that can have a global impact, as well as receive continual encouragement and support for philanthropic and volunteer opportunities.

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) focused institution, whose students' education and success are the nucleus of everything we strive for. We support and recognize excellence in teaching, learning, innovation, and intellectual growth of our students, faculty, and staff. Our campus culture is student-focused, welcoming, and inclusive. Here, we believe that every employee has a role to play in the mission of the institute: to provide our students with the world's best undergraduate science, engineering, and mathematics education in an environment of individual attention and support. Located on the banks of the Wabash River and conveniently located within driving distance of seven major cities, Terre Haute is a vibrant community with a revitalized downtown, museums, parks, four higher ed institutions, a rich historical past, and dynamic food, music, and arts scene.

Salary range is $85,000 – $105,000. Salary is competitive. A higher salary may be negotiated based on experience and qualifications.

Rose-Hulman conducts background checks for all prospective employees, including criminal history, education, social media, employment, driving records, and reference checks, where relevant to job duties. The scope depends on the role's responsibilities and Institute necessity. Information from background checks will be used solely to assess a candidate's suitability for employment, ensuring a safe and productive workplace, and will be handled in compliance with federal and state laws.

Applications: Only online applications/resumes submitted via the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Employment Opportunities website, jobs.rose-hulman.edu, will be accepted until the position is filled. Contact Human Resources via email, View email address on click.appcast.io, for questions.

This position is not eligible for work visa sponsorship at this time.

EEO Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is an equal opportunity employer. It is the Institute's policy to treat all employees and applicants equally according to their individual qualifications, abilities, experiences, and other employment standards. Rose-Hulman will not discriminate against any employee, applicant for employment, student or applicant for admission, including protections for those opposing discrimination or participating in any complaint process on campus or within the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or other human rights agencies. Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, please contact the Office of Human Resources.