Director, Nebraska Innovation Studio

Requisition Number: S_260481

Department: Nebraska Innovation Studio-13281

Description of Work:

The Director of Nebraska Innovation Studio (NIS) provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and vision for the multidisciplinary makerspace located on Nebraska Innovation Campus (NIC). This position is responsible for advancing the NIS's mission of fostering educational opportunities, community building, and business development through innovative programming, strong partnerships, fiscal stewardship, and the cultivation of a collaborative and inclusive culture. This position also oversees Frontier Tech Lab (FTL), a design and prototyping service center operated and managed by NIS, ensuring alignment between prototyping requests, hands‑on learning for students, and the broader goals of NIS.

This position is responsible for developing and implementing strategic plans for NIS and FTL that advance awareness, revenue, membership, and experiential learning.

This position directly supervises NIS permanent staff, interns, and grant‑funded staff. It oversees all NIS and FTL daily operations, including general oversight and upkeep of the facility and equipment; budgeting and accounting; receiving membership and material payments; purchasing materials; annual inventory count; scheduling curriculum and instructing trainings, workshops and classes; coordinating NIS classroom schedules with university departments and faculty users; organizing and facilitating events and outreach;

managing NU Foundation funds; and creating and implementing safety policies and procedures. This position is also responsible for promoting NIS and FTL through outreach, events, and strategic communications; seeking out fundraising and grant opportunities; writing and submitting grant proposals; tracking and reporting required grant data; and working with the NU Foundation on funding opportunities.

This position develops relationships with, and represents Nebraska Innovation Studio in, university, industry, and community partnerships. It also works in partnership with the Nebraska Innovation Campus Development Corporation team to create and implement programming, amenities, and services to NIC Partners, the university, and the community. Some evenings and weekends will be required.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln seeks to attract and retain a high‑performing and collaborative workforce. UNL is committed to providing a work environment and culture that fosters personal and professional success where every person and every interaction matters. The University is proud to be one of Nebraska's preferred and largest employers where individuals are able to participate and contribute to their full potential.

As an EO/AA employer, qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation. See: http://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).-nondiscrimination

• Associate's degree in STEAM field, education, business, industrial design or other making‑related field plus seven (7) years of experience working in a makerspace setting or equivalent multidisciplinary environment such as a lab, studio, or similar setting OR Bachelor's degree in field as stated above plus (5) years of relevant experience as stated above.
  OR Master's degree in field as stated above plus (3) years of relevant experience as stated above;
  OR PhD in field as stated above plus (1) year of relevant experience as stated above
• Demonstrated experience providing strategic leadership and operational oversight, with responsibility for setting direction and advancing programs or services in a multidisciplinary environment such as a makerspace, lab, studio, or similar setting.
• Demonstrated experience managing and supervising staff, interns, and/or volunteers, including responsibility for customer service delivery and user support in a service‑oriented environment.
• Demonstrated experience designing, developing, and delivering curriculum and instructional…