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

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology•Terre Haute, IN

16d•$85,000 - $105,000•Onsite

About The Position

Rose‑Hulman Institute of Technology seeks a visionary and energetic leader to direct the Branam Innovation Center (BIC) and Kremer Innovation Center (KIC), which are 30,000 square feet of dynamic makerspaces where students design, build, compete, and transform bold ideas into reality. This role involves coaching nationally competitive student teams and inspiring the next generation of STEM innovators. The Director will lead at the intersection of hands‑on engineering, student mentorship, and institutional strategy, reporting directly to the Provost as a member of the Academic Affairs Leadership team. The Director provides strategic vision, executive leadership, and external advocacy for the Institute’s innovation ecosystem, serving as the primary ambassador for the 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 align 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, 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.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a closely related technical field.
Five or more years of relevant professional experience.
Familiarity with experiential learning environments, engineering competition teams, entrepreneurship, design, or innovation center programming.
Proven record of building successful external partnerships, securing grants, or leading resource development initiatives.
Ability to effectively lead professional staff and manage complex programs or facilities.
Strong communication skills.
Ability to represent the Institute confidently and effectively to both internal and external stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Advanced graduate degree in a relevant field.
Eight or more years of related professional experience.
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.
Familiarity with technical innovation centers, 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.

Responsibilities

Provides strategic vision, executive leadership, and external advocacy for Rose‑Hulman Institute of Technology’s innovation ecosystem.
Serves as the Institute’s primary ambassador for the Branam and Kremer Innovation Centers (BIC/KIC).
Establishes, models, and maintains the positive “can do” attitude of the Innovation Centers.
Shapes the long‑term direction of the BIC/KIC.
Secures external funding and strategic partnerships.
Promotes the Centers to alumni, industry partners, donors, and prospective students.
Ensures that facilities, staffing, and programming are aligned with institutional priorities and advance student learning, engagement, and success.
Develops and advances a clear, forward‑looking vision for the BIC/KIC that aligns with Rose‑Hulman’s strategic goals.
Leads comprehensive strategic planning for the Centers’ physical facilities, programming portfolio, staffing models, and future growth.
Incorporates emerging trends in innovation, entrepreneurship, and experiential learning.
Balances long‑range strategy with effective stewardship of resources and infrastructure.
Provides specialized, hands‑on coaching to select high‑impact student competition teams.
Recruits, supports, and sets shared expectations for faculty and staff advisors.
Guides competition strategies, performance goals, and multi‑year team development, tracking outcomes and driving continuous improvement.
Serves as the primary liaison with external competition organizations and governing bodies.
Monitors rule changes, emerging technologies, and industry trends.
Analyzes performance metrics to inform strategic decision‑making and enhance competitive success.
Provides administrative supervision and technical mentorship to professional staff and student employees.
Ensures effective communication and information flow across teams.
Emphasizes safety oversight, risk management, and cross‑campus collaboration.
Develops, plans, implements, and administers organizational goals and objectives in accordance with Institute policies and applicable laws.
Works closely with Advancement, Career Services, Enrollment Management, Communications and Marketing, and other campus stakeholders.
Secures funding, supports student recruitment, promotes the BIC/KIC, integrates competition‑based experiences into academic learning objectives, establishes verified micro‑credentialing and skills badging, and strengthens student pathways and post‑graduate outcomes.
Contributes to setting institutional and departmental strategic priorities as a member of the Academic Affairs Leadership team.
Ensures alignment with Rose‑Hulman’s mission and goals.
Participates in budgeting and resource planning by identifying project needs and priorities.
Serves on committees and working groups.
Represents the Institute, Academic Affairs, and the Centers at meetings and functions as needed.
Performs other duties as assigned to support institutional needs.

Benefits

Variety of health benefit options
Voluntary benefits such as Group Accident and/or Group Critical Illness Insurance
Pet Insurance
Caregiver Resources
Participation in Tuition Exchange
Generous and flexible paid leave program
Dedicated time for professional development
Access to full-service fitness facilities and programming
Access to a performing arts center featuring national touring acts and campus productions
Access to state-of-the-art labs, facilities, and equipment
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
Continual encouragement and support for philanthropic and volunteer opportunities