What are the responsibilities and job description for the Executive Director position at Prairie View A&M University?
Job Title
Executive Director (Innovation & Strategic Partnerships)
Agency
Prairie View A&M University
Department
Research Administration
Proposed Minimum Salary
Commensurate
Job Location
Prairie View, Texas
Job Type
Staff
Job Description
Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) is seeking an accomplished and dynamic Executive Director of Innovation and Strategic Partnerships to lead and expand the university’s research, commercialization, and entrepreneurship initiatives. Reporting to the Vice President for Research and Innovation, this role is responsible for fostering strategic collaborations with faculty, industry leaders, start-ups, national laboratories, and advisory groups to drive sponsored partnerships and innovation. The Executive Director will oversee technology transfer efforts, growing the university’s intellectual property portfolio through disclosures, patents, and licensing, while leading training programs for faculty and student innovators. Additionally, this position will manage the operations of the ICEED Center, ensuring alignment with PVAMU’s mission and strategic goals. The role also involves executing high-impact special initiatives, supporting entrepreneurship programs, and engaging in economic development efforts across Greater Houston and beyond. This is a unique opportunity for a visionary leader to shape the university’s innovation ecosystem and strengthen its position as a hub for research, commercialization, and strategic partnerships.
This position is funded by a grant or restrict funds. Continued employment is contingent on the renewal of grant or restricted funding.
Responsibilities:
- Strategic Partnerships: Leads collaboration with faculty researchers, industry leaders, corporations, start-ups, innovation networks, universities, national laboratories and advisory groups to establish new and strengthen existing sponsored partnerships. Supporting the Vice President, advance initiatives to grow PVAMU’s innovation and strategic partnerships portfolio. Develops negotiation strategies, assessing partnerships for mission alignment and revenue potential, and achieving growth targets.
- Innovation and Tech-Transfer: Actively lead and provide oversight for significantly increasing the intellectual property (IP) portfolio including disclosures, patents and licensing, through new programmatic initiatives and strategic partnerships for faculty and student innovators, leading training and workshops.
- Administration: Leads ICEED Center operations, including strategic planning, program development, personnel supervision, IP management, policy creation, communications, and fiscal oversight. Ensures alignment with the center’s mission to expand PVAMU’s innovation, commercialization, and entrepreneurship portfolio.
- Special Initiatives: Oversees select programs and projects led by the Vice President for Research and Innovation, ensuring strategic execution, efficient project management, and timely completion from conception to implementation in coordination with internal and external stakeholders.
- Entrepreneurship and Economic Development: Oversees student and faculty entrepreneurship initiatives, including training, workshops, competitions, start-ups, and investor networks. Drives engagement with venture capital and economic development efforts in Greater Houston and beyond. Performs other duties as assigned.
Required Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree.
- Five years of progressive and successful administrative experience in business development and new partnership development, as well as a working knowledge of intellectual property management in a university, industry, or government environment.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Masters or a terminal degree in relevant discipline is preferred.
- Five or more years of progressive and successful management experience in business development and new partnership development, as well as a working knowledge of intellectual property management in a university, industry, or government environment.
- In depth knowledge and proficiency in activities related to research based innovation, commercialization, and entrepreneurship.
- Ability to translate objectives into a schedule and series of activities to meet the requirements.
- Detail-oriented, with excellent time management skills and confidence working in a deadline-driven environment.
- Exceptional persuasive writing skills to craft a clear story.
- Excellent editorial skills, with ability to consistently apply in-house and client styles.
- Experience with editing and publishing techniques, including the ability to operate PC-based software and hardware.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, and familiarity with SharePoint and Adobe Creative Suite is preferred.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build rapport.
- Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with ability to be flexible and adapt to changing priorities and assignments.
- Ability to work on a team, either in a support function or as a project leader.
- Willingness to work and deliver on short notice.
Job Posting Close Date:
- Until Filled
Required Attachments:
Please attach all required documents listed below in the attachment box labeled as either “Resume/CV or Resume/Cover Letter” on the application. Multiple attachments may be included in the “Resume/CV” or Resume/Cover Letter” attachment box. Any additional attachments provided outside of the required documents listed below are considered optional.
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae
- Cover Letter
Application Submission Guidelines:
All applicants are required to apply via our Career Site on or before the closing date indicated on the job posting. Applicant inquiries received via email and websites such as really, HigherEdJobs, etc. will not be considered unless the individual has applied to the available position via the PVAMU Career site.
The required documents listed in the above "Required Attachments" section must be attached to the application prior to the job closing date indicated to ensure full consideration for the application submitted. Please contact the Office of Human Resource on or before the closing date indicated above at 936-261-1730 or jobs@pvamu.edu should you need assistance with the online application process.
Background Check Requirements:
All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.
All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.
Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.
