Deputy Executive Director -UG (Non-Merit)

Kentucky Personnel Cabinet•Frankfort, KY

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

KY Innovation is a fast-paced agency working to transform Kentucky’s startup ecosystem. We operate within the Secretary’s Office in the KY Cabinet for Economic Development and are chiefly responsible for the Commonwealth’s innovation and entrepreneurship agenda, including: regional innovation hubs to support startups, early- and growth-stage capital formation and investment, university commercialization and technology transfer, SBIR/STTR grant funding, corporate and public partnerships, and related programs and overall strategy for supporting a healthy entrepreneurial ecosystem in Kentucky. This position supports the efforts of the Executive Director in carrying out wide ranging and multifaceted duties of the office. In particular, the deputy will work as a leader of the statewide network of innovation hubs, which represent entrepreneurs in communities across the Commonwealth, as well as many of the other innovation-based economic development initiatives listed above. Internal to the office, the deputy will help drive project and program success and own both program oversight and execution. The position is full-time and reports to the Executive Director. As with all roles in our lean organization, it is cross-functional meaning that the responsibilities of the role will require you to work across the organization and externally across a wide array of stakeholders.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree is required.
Experience working in or with early- and growth- stage businesses, and/or with financial products, highly preferred.
The ideal candidate will have strong qualifications in project management and management of direct report employees.

Nice To Haves

Credible experience as a leader or member of an innovation-driven enterprise
Clear ability to lead people and manage programs
Must be detail-oriented and able to manage a wide array of mission-critical tasks simultaneously
Thrives in a collaborative environment, but possesses the ability to work independently, show initiative, and take ownership
Excellent judgment, poise, and professionalism
Able to adapt and re-prioritize tasks based on frequently changing needs and move forward when faced with ambiguity
Appreciates and enjoys bringing a high level of detail to tasks
Prefers to collaborate with others rather than working alone, natural relationship builder
Strong written and oral communicator who is comfortable with public speaking

Responsibilities

Manage a team of highly-skilled professionals working across diverse programs
Provide oversight and guidance to a distributed workforce made up of partners, contractors and vendors operating statewide to support entrepreneurs and innovators
Help identify and support high-growth companies through the office and Cabinet’s business development processes
Work with executive director to develop, propose and implement flexible deal structures tailored to supporting early- and growth-stage companies
Work closely and collaboratively with the Cabinet’s business development team to ensure program and process alignment and feed the pipeline for company investment and job creation
Assist the executive director in utilizing data to create benchmarks for success
Monitor budgets and ensure program performance and compliance
Maintain knowledge and awareness of relevant programs and developments at the federal level and among comparable units to KY Innovation in others states
Along with the executive director, and as their delegate, coordinate and collaborate on innovation initiatives with external partners and stakeholders, including but not limited to, business organizations, higher education leaders, federal program officers and investors
Advise on small business and innovation related policy, as needed
Travel to statewide events to represent KY Innovation and contribute as a conduit to KY Innovation programs, resources and partners
Work successfully across multiple Cabinet departments to ensure collaboration.
Track legislative activity and engage with policy makers as needed
Contribute to marketing strategy and implementation
Other travel will be required in order to be onsite regularly in KY Innovation regional cluster offices for meeting with partners and clients. Remote work will be encouraged regularly in these shared office space locations.