Executive Director, Innovation and Opportunity

University of Illinois Springfield•Springfield, IL

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Executive Director of Innovation and Opportunity (ED) at the University of Illinois Springfield will lead innovation and economic development efforts at UIS to benefit the regional economy in collaboration with local industry, government partners, Continuing and Professional Education (CAPE), and the Illinois Innovation Network (IIN). These efforts will be primarily conducted through the development and execution of related programming at Innovate Springfield, UIS' downtown Springfield innovation center and founding hub of the IIN. The Executive Director (ED) will lead Innovate Springfield's strategic framework across five interconnected pillars: business incubation and venture growth; business modernization and applied innovation; CAPE-delivered professional education and workforce development; student talent pipeline and engagement; and emerging technology awareness. Working closely with UIS leaders, faculty, staff, students, and community partners, the ED will develop and implement entrepreneurial and applied innovation initiatives that advance these strategic priorities. These activities will accelerate regional technology adoption, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, strengthen educational opportunities, inform public policy, and promote social innovation throughout the region.

Requirements

Master’s degree from an accredited institution (in some cases, extensive work experience in innovation, incubation and/or economic development fields could replace a master’s degree requirement; in such cases, a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution is required)
A strong track record of leading innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems and programs, including experience at innovation centers and/or business incubators
Strong background in business commercialization, community and regional economic development, and social innovation
Experience and deep knowledge of the requisites of the business startup process, including business planning, operations, financing and insight into local economic and social conditions
Supervisory experience

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree from an accredited institution
Experience working with faculty, staff and senior academic leadership at a higher education institution
Investment and commercialization expertise; ability to identify, evaluate and effectuate investments
Technical skill in projecting the economic and social impact of new and developing businesses and initiatives
Experience with business incubation and acceleration
Experience with business modernization, applied AI, or data-driven technology-adoption programming
Experience partnering with professional/continuing education units to convert applied programming into scalable credentials and workforce training
Familiarity with emerging technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence, data analytics, cybersecurity) and their translation into accessible public programming
Knowledge of applied AI, data analytics, and emerging-technology trends relevant to business, government, and healthcare sectors

Responsibilities

Work with internal and external partners to resource, develop, direct and implement all Innovate Springfield strategies aligned with UIS’ strategic priorities and the Innovate Springfield strategic framework, and ensure the successful execution of Innovate Springfield operations and UIS innovation and economic development activities in collaboration with other program leads.
Lead all aspects of programming across Innovate Springfield’s five pillars — business incubation and acceleration, business modernization and applied innovation, professional education and workforce development, student talent pipeline, and emerging-technology awareness.
Develop, lead and ensure financial support and viability of Innovate Springfield’s operations, as well as the business incubation and acceleration programs and Innovate Springfields’s partnership model with Continuing and Professional Education (CAPE) for scalable, credential-generating programming.
Develop, implement, and manage Innovate Springfield's operations and budget to ensure efficient service delivery and long-term financial sustainability.
Collaborate with UIS Advancement and program leaders to secure financial support for Innovate Springfield's operations and programs.
Establish and monitor meaningful performance measures, including a quarterly outcomes dashboard, to evaluate progress and organizational success.
Ensure effectiveness across all Innovate Springfield programs — including business modernization and applied innovation (such as a recurring AI-adoption demonstration series and the region’s AI community of practice), CAPE-delivered professional education and stackable credentials, and emerging-technology awareness — by working with other UIS leaders responsible for programing in such areas as technology and research commercialization, social innovation, public policy, and experiential and workforce education, as well as other program areas determined by the UIS Chancellor.
Develop and coordinate all UIS’ initiatives with other UIS leaders responsible for programing to bring innovation to bear on the broad range of community and regional needs and problems.
Actively engage current and potential partners in business, finance, government, healthcare, insurance, manufacturing, philanthropy, and scientific communities, as well as academic partners across the IIN, to invest in and advance an entrepreneurial and technology-adoption culture within and beyond UIS to strengthen economic development and innovation in the Springfield region.
Work with academic units — including the College of Business and Management, the College of Health, Science and Technology, and CAPE — to develop high-impact, applied learning opportunities for students related to innovation, entrepreneurship, and business modernization, and to connect youth and workforce programming to UIS degree and certificate pathways, with relevance to local economic and community development.
Serve as UIS representative on IIN Council and various UI System committees.
Supervise and oversee Innovate Springfield staff, as well as participating business incubation and CAPE program partners, for Innovate Springfield programing and operational success.
Provide effective leadership, direction and support for staff to be successful at their assigned duties.
Give staff frequent performance feedback and support their professional development.
Develop and implement strategies, including regular dashboard reporting to the Advisory Board and UIS leadership, to highlight the value and successes of UIS’ innovative and economic development activities in order to enhance Innovate Springfield visibility and reputation with internal and external stakeholders, including UIS leaders, faculty, students, business leaders, public officials and IIN partners.
Advise the Chancellor on economic development, innovation, and emerging-technology issues, and participate in committees, working groups, etc., as assigned.