VTCRC Tech Center Director

Chief Objective of Position:

Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center (VTCRC) is a multi-locale destination for academic-industrial-public sector collaboration, emphasizing the commercialization of research and market-oriented product/service development. Locations currently include Blacksburg and Newport News, from the Tech Center Research Park in Hampton Roads. VTCRC is the wholly-owned for-profit subsidiary of Virginia Tech Foundation, Inc. (VTF), a nonstock corporation that manages the endowment and real estate portfolio of Virginia Tech.

The successful candidate for the VTCRC Newport News Director role will lead energy-centric innovation programs and facilities for VTCRC. We seek a dynamic, growth-oriented, experienced executive. Primary responsibilities include program development, project management, and relationship development.

Key Responsibilities

1. Planning: Develop and execute a strategic framework for VTCRC Newport News that aligns with VTCRC’s central strategic plan and its Newport News purpose and vision
2. Global business development: Engage with global prospects to secure corporate sponsors for VTCRC Newport News around its research and innovation programs
3. Industry project development: Engage with industry sponsors to develop jointly funded academic-industrial-public sector research projects that pursue innovation in hydrogen technology, nuclear research, high-performance computing, and emerging energy
4. Government partnerships: Develop partnerships with research agencies and commercialization offices of organizations such as NASA and Jefferson National Lab
5. Community relations: Coordinate activities with the City of Newport News, Tech Center Research Park, and regional research and academic centers

Qualifications:

Background in business development, corporate sponsorships, and industry partnerships from the corporate side

• Experience working in technology innovation ecosystems
• Ability to interact effectively and professionally with a diverse set of entrepreneurs, corporate partners, scientists, professional organizations, economic developers, and government officials
• Excellent organizational, planning, marketing and communications, and interpersonal skills
• Seven years of experience in a comparable position preferred
• Preference to specialization and experience in the energy industry, including program design, testbed development, and management

Education, Licensure, Certification required for entry into the position:

Bachelor’s degree and/or Master’s degree

Preference given to degree in a technical discipline.

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60

Planning

• Work with the VTCRC President and management team to create and execute a comprehensive strategic framework for the VTCRC Newport News that becomes a key component of the VTCRC strategic plan
• Engage with global corporate partners to support VTCRC’s growth mission in Newport News
• Identify funding partners (private foundations, private foundations, and corporations), develop a funding development pipeline, and produce proposals
• Strengthen relationships with the research and commercialization offices of NASA, Jefferson National Lab, and Virginia entities to be identified.
• Engage and promote awareness of VTCRC Newport News around its innovation programs and projects

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Connect Virginia Tech Research Community

• Catalog the core competencies of Virginia Tech faculty members to conduct research, create, and license intellectual property
• Ensure coordination with Virginia Tech entities located in the Newport News region
• Identify opportunities with other university research and design collaborative models to enact projects
• Engage industry partners in sponsorship to jointly fund research projects

15

Management

• Own and manage a P&L for VTCRC Newport News that includes long-term operational forecasts, plans, and budgets and becomes a component of the VTCRC budget
• Manage the VTCRC Newport News office and staff
• Manage employees in compliance with VTF human resources policy