University Economic Development Association

Economic Development Director

Jul 12, 2013 | Administration, Commercialization, Economic Development, Job Board

Title Economic Development Director
Organization / Institution The University of Iowa
Department Office of the VP for Research and Economic Development
City, State Iowa City, IA
Information The University of Iowa (UI), Office of the Vice President for Research & Economic Development (OVPR&ED) seeks a highly motivated individual to serve as an Economic Development Director. The incumbent will direct the administrative operations of economic development with direct responsibilities for leadership of industry engagement and the technology/R&D lab. The person is a senior executive level staff member and advisor to the Associate Vice President for Economic Development, empowered to make commitments on behalf AVP for ED. The Director will be a key member of a team of individuals focused on implementing a comprehensive program of economic development and technology transfer activities.The University of Iowa is an internationally prominent public research university. Sponsored extramural funding has been increasing steadily for over two decades and with $438.1 M in FY 12. Nearly 70% of this funding is generated by the UI Carver College of Medicine and health science campus. In 2012, the University of Iowa ranked 15th in NIH funding for public medical schools. The University has a total operating budget in excess of $2B, enrolls 30,500 students in 11 colleges including Medicine, Liberals Arts and Sciences, Nursing, Public Health, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Law, Engineering and Education (of which 20,500 are undergraduate students). The UI also employs 15,000 faculty and staff and operates a nationally regarded University Hospital and major interdisciplinary research centers across a variety of disciplines. The University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, a University community of about 70,000 with a cosmopolitan atmosphere, exceptional cultural resources, excellent public schools and libraries, and outstanding medical care. For additional information about the University and the Iowa City community, see http://www.uiowa.edu/homepage/about-UI/index.html.

Required qualifications: 

  • Substantial (10+ years) relevant experience in management of industry engagement efforts is required, with preference given to experience within a research intensive institution.
  • Extensive (5-7 years) experience in new business development and technology development and assessment. 
  • Demonstrated job-related experience with and/or commitment to diversity in the work/academic environment.
  • Working knowledge of trends in economic development, university / industry collaboration, and technology commercialization.
  • Demonstrated leadership experience in a highly responsive service organization in support of the research enterprise. 
  • Superior communication, organizational and interpersonal skills and attention to detail.
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team environment.

Desirable Qualifications:

  • Reasonable (a minimum of 3 to 5 years) experience in a scientifically oriented university with a technology commercialization organization.
  • Experience with grant writing and/or seeking investment capital to establish new companies and support existing company expansion desired.
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