Executive Director

The Executive Director leads the institute charged to "create and sustain an innovation engine" at UNC Chapel Hill. The Executive Director will lead the institute team in the effort to make Eshelman Innovation a premier institution nationally and internationally where groundbreaking healthcare therapeutics and digital health ideas are turned into reality.

The Executive Director will be responsible to manage and grow the assets of Eshelman Innovation in the form of reputation, revenue, intellectual property, projects and programs with embedded intellectual property and knowhow. The Executive Director will work to develop and foster strategic collaborations and partnerships, attract gifts and investments, and monetize intellectual property assets to sustain the Institute. The Executive Director will oversee the Institute staff, operations including budget/finance, and the existing programs as well as the creation of new programs.

The Executive Director will be responsible for excellent internal and external communication of the activities and impact of the Institute, and for creating and sustaining a strong brand.

By aligning the mission and goals of the institute with those of the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy and the University, the Executive Director will enable the institute to positively impact the School and University through the development of a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. The Executive Director will critically evaluate and refine the institute's strategy periodically with the input and advice of the Steering Board.

The position reports to the Dean of the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy.

• Strategic Planning
  • The Executive Director will lead the Institute team in developing, implementing, and refining the vision, mission, and goals of the institute.
  • The Executive Director will develop, implement, and refine strategies that sharpen the focus of the Institute, leading to increased impact, growth, and sustainability of the institute.
  • The Executive Director will work with the steering board and School/UNC leadership to establish short-term objectives and long-range goals, and related plans and policies, and build trust with key partners and stakeholders.
• Executive Management
  • The Executive Director will lead and motivate team members to ensure excellent stewardship of the staff, operations, budget and finance, and programs.
  • The Executive Director will ensure excellent internal and external communication of the activities, accomplishments, and impact of the institute, and will create and sustain a strong brand of the institute.
  • The Executive Director oversees all operations and business activities to ensure they produce the desired results and are consistent with the overall strategy and mission.
  • The Executive Director reviews the financial results of the institute, ensuring sound funding for the mission and goals of the institute.
  • The Executive Director will be responsible for sustaining the life of the Institute by raising additional funding through donations and corporate sponsorship and developing new partnerships and collaborations.
• Program Administration
  • Through the leadership of the institute, the Executive Director will foster a culture of innovation both within the institute and across the School, engaging faculty, staff, and students. Increasing engagement, ideation, connecting to resources, ensuring maximum impact of the school on patient's lives and society is an important responsibility of the Executive Director.
  • The Executive Director is responsible for maintaining a deep knowledge of the industry to ensure that the Institute is advancing at a competitive pace. The Executive Director will be responsible for presenting regular reports on the status of the institute's operations to the steering board, donors, and executive leadership.

• Master's in professional degree required, with a PhD preferred, with minimum 10-15 years experience
• Strategic Planning and Implementation experience required
• Ability to work effectively across complex organizations
• Knowledge of academic policies and processes preferred
• Demonstrated leadership skills including the ability to work cross-functionally, manage crisis, and align interests of multiple parties
• Demonstrated strong written and verbal communication, negotiation, and presentation skills
• Experience in Business Development and Client Relationship Management
• Experience engaging with corporate partners, high level donors and senior management in corporations, building strategic partnerships and alliances

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.