Managing Director

Washington State University • Seattle, WA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Office of Research at Washington State University (WSU) is responsible for advancing the research enterprise at WSU systemwide. The Office of Research facilitates all aspects of the research from pre-award to compliance, advancement, development, and commercialization. The Office of Research amplifies WSU's land-grant mission by partnering with the university community, industry leaders, and other stakeholders to advance, extend, and grow the positive impact of WSU research for the state, region, and nation. The Managing Director serves as the chief executive and strategic leader of the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) OnRamp Hub, providing vision, direction, and oversight for all Hub operations, partnerships, programs, and personnel. Reporting to university leadership and serving as the primary interface with DIU leadership, the Managing Director is responsible for ensuring the Hub advances DIU’s mission, achieves all Cooperative Agreement requirements, and strengthens Washington’s role within the national defense innovation ecosystem. This position provides strategic leadership for the Hub’s engagement with industry, academia, investors, entrepreneurs, government agencies, and defense stakeholders. The Managing Director aligns regional innovation capabilities with Department of Defense priorities, fosters technology transition opportunities, and ensures operational excellence across all Hub functions. The role requires a highly visible leader capable of building trusted relationships, driving mission-focused outcomes, and positioning the Hub as a premier defense innovation gateway for Washington and the Pacific Northwest.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and eight (8) years of progressively responsible relevant experience, which has included at least three (3) years of managerial experience.
• A Master’s degree in a related field may be substituted for up to one (1) year of the required experience.
• Education and experience can be tailored to fit the specific organizational entity/directorial assignment.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, public administration, engineering, technology management, innovation, economic development, national security, or a related field.
• Eight (8) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in program management, innovation ecosystems, technology commercialization, defense-related initiatives, higher education administration, economic development, or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex organizations, programs, or initiatives involving multiple stakeholders.
• Experience managing teams, budgets, strategic planning efforts, and organizational performance.
• Demonstrated effective communication, relationship-building, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with senior leaders across government, academia, industry, and nonprofit sectors.
• Must have, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid driver’s license and meet requirements in accordance with SPPM 7.10 and departmental driving standards.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree or terminal degree in a related discipline.
• Experience working with the Department of Defense, Defense Innovation Unit military innovation organizations, federal agencies, national laboratories, or technology transition programs.
• Experience building and managing public-private partnerships involving government, industry, academic, and investment stakeholders.
• Knowledge of technology transition, dual-use technology development, commercialization pathways, venture capital, entrepreneurial ecosystems, and innovation policy.
• Experience managing federally funded programs, grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts.
• Familiarity with Washington’s innovation, aerospace, maritime, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, research, defense technology, and entrepreneurial ecosystems.
• Leadership experience in public-private partnerships or regional innovation initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Serves as the chief executive and strategic leader of the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) OnRamp Hub, providing vision, direction, and oversight for all Hub operations, partnerships, programs, and personnel.
• Ensures the Hub advances DIU’s mission, achieves all Cooperative Agreement requirements, and strengthens Washington’s role within the national defense innovation ecosystem.
• Provides strategic leadership for the Hub’s engagement with industry, academia, investors, entrepreneurs, government agencies, and defense stakeholders.
• Aligns regional innovation capabilities with Department of Defense priorities.
• Fosters technology transition opportunities.
• Ensures operational excellence across all Hub functions.
• Builds trusted relationships.
• Drives mission-focused outcomes.
• Positions the Hub as a premier defense innovation gateway for Washington and the Pacific Northwest.
• Strategic Leadership and External Engagement (40%)
• Operations, Program Management, and Compliance (30%)
• Personnel and Resource Management (25%)
• Other Duties as Assigned (5%)

Benefits

• Paid sick and vacation leave
• Paid holidays
• Medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents
• Retirement
• Deferred compensation
• Optional supplemental retirement accounts
• Training and development
• Employee tuition waiver

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive