Visiting Senior Faculty Specialist

University of Maryland•College Park, MD

About The Position

Mtech seeks a professional who will manage and serve as the technical authority for all xFoundry competitions, ensuring that challenge topics, evaluation criteria, and investability requirements meet the highest standards of technical rigor and market viability. Additionally, the Director of Competitions and Ventures will spearhead the launch and scaling of student-led ventures emerging from xFoundry’s Xperience and Xpand pipelines, ensuring their market viability and long-term success. The candidate will oversee the day-to-day operations of venture-related projects and technical milestones and develop requirements for the AI-based services that students and team members will use. This role requires a technically proficient professional who can bridge multiple domains while communicating effectively with diverse stakeholders, including students, faculty, industry partners, and investors. The Director will be tasked with inspiring entrepreneurship across UMD's campus while collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop imaginative solutions to intricate challenges. This is an exceptional opportunity for an ambitious individual passionate about driving innovation, promoting entrepreneurship, and creating inventive solutions to complex problems. The Director will report directly to the Executive Director of the IDEA Factory. The A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland catalyzes high-quality research, innovation, and learning, preparing our students to create innovations that will address the 21st century Grand Challenges (e.g., energy, environment, security, and human health) and improve the human condition. The Clark School is dedicated to leading and transforming the engineering discipline and profession, accelerating entrepreneurship, and transforming research and learning activities into innovations that benefit millions.

Requirements

A master’s degree is required. A bachelor’s degree may be substituted with at least three years of full-time experience as a Faculty Specialist (or a comparable appointment at another institution), or equivalent experience.
6+ years in research, development, product management, venture development, or entrepreneurship, with exposure to edtech, accelerators, or startup ecosystems.
Prior experience with startup competitions, accelerators, pitch events, or entrepreneurship ecosystems
Commitment to student empowerment, interdisciplinary collaboration, and solving global challenges.
Strong communication, leadership, and project management skills.
Knowledge of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, including startups, accelerators, and pitch competitions.
Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills with a solutions-oriented mindset.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively while managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Passion for innovation, entrepreneurship, and mentoring student teams or early-stage founders.
Strong foundation in AI/ML and software development with demonstrated ability to evaluate technical approaches and architectures
Broad technical literacy across multiple domains, with the ability to quickly understand and assess new technologies and fields
Experience conducting technical due diligence, feasibility assessments, or technology evaluations
Proven ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to non-technical audiences, including investors, executives, and university leadership
Demonstrated experience working with diverse stakeholders across academia, industry, and investment communities
Strong written and verbal communication skills with attention to detail
Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills with a solutions-oriented mindset
Ability to work independently and manage multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
Strong organizational skills and attention to process documentation
Collaborative mindset with commitment to interdisciplinary problem-solving

Nice To Haves

Master's degree OR PhD in a technical field (Computer Science, Engineering, Information Science, or related disciplines)
Prior experience with startup competitions, accelerators, pitch events, or entrepreneurship ecosystems
Background in venture capital or startup advising
Experience with fundraising, grant writing, or investor relations
Familiarity with university innovation programs or technology commercialization

Responsibilities

Manage and serve as the technical authority for all xFoundry competitions.
Spearhead the launch and scaling of student-led ventures emerging from xFoundry’s Xperience and Xpand pipelines.
Oversee the day-to-day operations of venture-related projects and technical milestones.
Develop requirements for the AI-based services that students and team members will use.
Inspire entrepreneurship across UMD's campus.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop imaginative solutions to intricate challenges.