Vice President for the Enterprise Innovation Institute

Overview:

• Provides strategically focused direction and leadership for the Enterprise Innovation Institute (EI2).
• Responsible for oversight of all operational aspects of EI2.
• Assures EI2’s mission, programs, and services are relevant to the Institute, its sponsors and State of Georgia stakeholders.
• Represents the Institute on economic development policy with University Systems of Georgia/Board of Regents, plus state and federal officials. Provides leadership and visibility to maintain the Institute’s role as the public catalyst for entrepreneurship and new company formation by aggressively pursuing alternative funding sources to support a comprehensive programmatic approach.
• Travels as required on behalf of the Institute, including international travel from time-to-time.
• Develops faculty and staff relationships broadly for the benefit of EI2 to include strong partnerships with entrepreneurial activities taking place at Georgia Tech outside of EI2..

Position Responsibilities:

A.  New Venture Development around Georgia Tech Technology

• Oversees activities of the Venture Lab, Georgia Tech’s internal incubator, and education programs related to start-up formation (e.g., NSF I-Corp node at Georgia Tech).
• Works closely with the colleges and other units that seek to include start-up formation education in their programs.
• Provides leadership, resources and supports the Institute’s (in) research commercialization through start-up companies when based on GT innovation in collaboration with the Institute’s administration and Industry Engagement Office of the Georgia Tech Research Corporation (GTRC) – the institute’s independent contracting and intellectual property organization.
• Works closely with units tasked to provide relationship management services to large companies engaged in strategic partnerships with and/or an embedded presence at Georgia Tech including the Development Office and the Office of Industry Collaboration.

B.  Entrepreneurs in Georgia

• Oversees activities of the EI2 entrepreneurism support across the state including for the Advanced Technology Development Center.
• Engages with the venture capital community and regional entrepreneur talent pool to create a network of resources benefiting faculty and programs at the Institute.

C.  Outreach Services in Georgia

• Oversees regional offices throughout the state that provide services to small and medium size enterprises, including the Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership.
• Facilitates policy and economic analysis support for impact assessment of economic development programs administered through Georgia Tech.
• Understands and interprets the direction of state and federal economic development policy, translates same into successful programmatic activities for the Institute.
• Broadly engages the state’s economic development and local community leadership and advocates for ways in which the Institute can contribute.
• Provides oversight of the outreach efforts with businesses in Georgia such as the Manufacturing Extension program.

D.  Strategic Institute Relationships

• Works closely with the EVPR, the Vice President for Government and Community Relations, and the President’s Office to support the strategic selection of industry business targets for collaboration with the Institute.
• Works closely with the Office of the Vice President for Government and Community Relations to support strategic partnerships with government stakeholders at the local, state and federal levels.
• Performs other duties as required as assigned by the EVPR and the President.
• Participates on relevant Institute committees and task force initiatives.

E.  Operations and Financial Management

• Effectively manages the human resources of EI2.
• Establishes budget priorities and oversees financial management of EI2.
• Oversees and ensures quality and consistency of organization business processes.

F.  State Government

• Represents the Institute with state government agencies on matters related to economic development, and entrepreneur advancement.
• Develops close working relations with the Georgia Department of Economic Development and the Georgia Research Alliance, and relevant chambers of commerce.
• In partnership with the Vice President for Government and Community Relations, advocates on behalf of EI2 and the Institute with the Board of Regents, Governor’s Office and General Assembly on all activities relating to economic development.

Experience

• Minimum ten years senior level management experience within a university, non-profit, -government agency environment, industry or venture capital experience.
• Outstanding record of achievement in managing a technology oriented economic development organization.
• Demonstrated understanding of technology based entrepreneurship, venture capital and other sources of start-up investment.
• Demonstrated leadership ability in decentralized, multiple stakeholder environment.
• Experience in strategic planning processes involving diverse constituencies.
• Excellent communication and public relations skills and the demonstrated ability to be an effective advocate for economic development, entrepreneurship and commercialization.
• Ability to lead, encourage and implement action, equal opportunity and organization diversity.
• Previous corporate board experience is preferred, particularly on innovation, commercialization and/or economic development boards, and experience in support of the operation and administration of corporate boards.
• Familiarity and understanding of commercial real estate management and oversight.
• Demonstrated understanding of the needs and problems of small/midsized manufacturers.
• Knowledge and appreciation of the role of Georgia Tech as a leading public research university including its traditions and culture.

Education

• Minimum education level: Master’s Degree in business or engineering.

Nominations and Applications

All nominations and applications should be directed in confidence to researchfacultyaffairs@gatech.edu (please reference the position title in your email’s subject line). Please contact Brandi Foley-Rodgers, Assistant Director, Human Resources, 404-385-3623, should you have questions about the application process.

Complete applications should include:

• Cover letter that outlines the applicant’s interest in the position and leadership experience and thoughts and vision to furthering Georgia Tech’s economic development.
• Full and current resume.
• List of five references with contact information (name, title, email and phone). References will not be contacted without prior notification and consent.

Selection process will include passing a pre-employment background screening.

While applications and nominations will be received until the VP-EI2 is selected, interested parties are encouraged to submit their materials in a single PDF or MS Word File no later than February 15, 2016.

The Georgia Institute of Technology is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status.