Assistant Vice President of Regional Innovation and Partnerships

University of Texas At El Paso • El Paso, TX

81d

About The Position

The Assistant Vice President for Regional Innovation and Partnerships will lead strategic efforts to position UTEP as a hub for cross-sector research collaboration, innovation, and ecosystem stewardship within the Borderplex and across the state of Texas. Working with the Research Development unit of Research & Innovation, this role advances institutional alignment with regional and state priorities, coordinates applied research initiatives and cultivates relationships that drive economic and social impact. The AVP will not only serve as a liaison but also as a catalyst, bridging research, policy, and state and regional entities through sustained partnerships that bring real-world challenges into the research enterprise and translate university capabilities into regional solutions. This position requires navigating internal University systems while leading engagement with external partners. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to align institutional research strengths with regional needs. The AVP for Regional Innovation and Partnerships will serve as a liaison to facilitate communication, coordinate research initiatives, and advocate for funding opportunities that align with the region's and state's priorities. The AVP for Regional Innovation and Partnerships will also play a central role in amplifying the broader impacts of UTEP's research by ensuring that partnerships translate into measurable public benefit, community advancement, and scalable solutions rooted in regional relevance.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university, with preference to those with a business or public policy background.
• A minimum of 10 years of demonstrated experience working with regional and state-level partners and government agencies.

Nice To Haves

• Master's Degree
• Strong understanding of regional and state needs, research priorities, and contracting processes.
• Demonstrated experience managing committees that led to tangible outcomes.
• Demonstrated experience building and improving processes and/or systems.
• Proven record of supporting or leading externally funded research initiatives.
• Knowledge of congressional delegations, particularly in areas related to energy, national security, defense, environment, and research funding.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, faculty, and industry partners.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to communicate complex technical information and policy issues clearly and persuasively.
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify opportunities, anticipate challenges, and develop strategic solutions.
• Organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with absolute discretion.

Responsibilities

• Lead efforts to align UTEP's research and public engagement with regional and state priorities.
• Foster research collaborations with local, state agencies, Chihuahua universities, non-profits, industry partners, and other institutions.
• Examine external stakeholder experience and make recommendations on how the university can actively encourage partners to proactively bring research problems to the university.
• Manage diverse stakeholder meetings, such as committees and task forces, to develop strategies and execute projects.
• Assemble a Regional Competitiveness Council to identify regional strengths, needs, research opportunities, and develop an overall regional innovation agenda.
• Identify emerging research trends, technology needs, and funding opportunities to address regional and national challenges and opportunities.
• Develop and implement short and long-term strategic plans to align the University's research capabilities with the priorities of the region.
• Serve as the point of contact for faculty members seeking to engage in research and innovation collaborations with regional partners.
• Facilitate meetings, forums, and networking events to foster collaboration, identify common interests, and promote partnership opportunities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships between UTEP faculty and relevant stakeholders.
• Act as a trusted advisor and advocate for collaboration, representing the interests of the research community that are aligned with regional interests and strengths.
• Provide guidance on proposal requirements, funding mechanisms, and strategies for effectively communicating the relevance and potential impact of research projects.
• Prepare briefing materials, reports, and presentations that summarize research initiatives, outcomes, and impact for both internal and external stakeholders.
• Coordinate resources, expertise, and infrastructure to support collaborative research projects between the University and regional entities.

Benefits

• Salary commensurate with experience.
• Flexible working hours.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Industry: Educational Services
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree