Executive Director of the Innovation Center, School of Engineering

University of Dayton•Dayton, OH

About The Position

The Innovation Center's primary mission is to coordinate the capstone design experiences, compliant to accreditation requirements, to educate and develop world class technical leaders with an entrepreneurial mindset who create new products/technical services while working effectively at disciplinary intersections. Grounded in our Catholic and Marianist tradition, the Innovation Center also seeks to solve real problems affecting our community and our society by working collaboratively with our students, faculty and staff, regional industry and community partners. The Innovation Center is the premier provider of project-based learning for undergraduate students through externally sponsored projects. The Center works in partnership with all academic departments and centers within the School of Engineering and collaborates with other University of Dayton programs to advance the local entrepreneurial eco-system. Our strategic objectives are to foster market innovation and entrepreneurship as a hallmark of STEM education at the University of Dayton with a focus on contemporary issues related to engineering innovation.

Requirements

B.S. in Engineering, and a master’s degree in STEM or equivalent experience.
5 years experience in a senior engineering, engineering management, or executive position.
Articulated ability to effectively collaborate with cross functional professionals.
Experience in innovation or new product/process development including design, customer awareness and business acumen.

Nice To Haves

M.S. or Ph.D. in engineering.
Articulated expertise in all aspects of the product realization process.
Experience with grant writing, and securing foundation support.
Teaching and/or industrial training experience in the art and science of STEM innovation.
Experience working, teaching and mentoring students from diverse backgrounds.
Demonstrated track record of technical publications and presentations in STEM journals, and/or technical conferences.

Responsibilities

Works with department faculty and other Schools within the University to develop and offer courses in STEM innovation and entrepreneurship and to identify the types of projects to be undertaken in the Innovation Center.
Works in conjunction with the Innovation Center support staff and faculty to identify, cultivate, and steward prospects for new project sponsors and to maintain and grow relationships with current project sponsors.
Works with the department chairs to identify faculty that can serve as mentors for projects in the Innovation Center.
Works to advance innovation and entrepreneurship within STEM education through scholarly activities such as publications at engineering education conferences and in STEM education journals.
Manages all the operating functions of the Innovation Center including the fiscal operations (invoicing and budget management), equipment, and facilities.
Supervises Innovation Center support staff which includes the Administrative Assistant; Faculty of Practice (2) and coordinates the performance management of the Prototype Technician (a member of the Teaching Laboratory Managers) and student workers employed by the Innovation Center.
Compliant to accreditation requirements (e.g., ABET), develops policies and procedures for the operation of the Innovation Center including the procedures for selecting projects, assigning students to projects, setting sponsorship fees, etc.
Markets the Innovation Center both inside the University and to the larger community.
Works closely with the Dean, department chairs, the Office of Advancement, and other university partners to identify and secure financial support for the Innovation Center.
Is active in professional and academic organizations relating to the fields of STEM education, innovation and entrepreneurship.