Assistant Vice President Innovation and Commercialization

Assistant Vice President for Innovation and Commercialization

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Please include professional references only.

The University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) is seeking an experienced, visionary leader to build on the strengths of the University and craft a compelling vision for the future that will enable UT Dallas to achieve its goals through a single, well‑aligned technology transfer and venture development operation. The Assistant Vice President for Innovation and Commercialization is a high‑visibility executive leader in the division of Research and Innovation who is responsible for guiding all aspects of the University’s technology commercialization efforts, including the development and growth of new ventures.

This role will oversee the Office of Technology and Commercialization and will serve as a primary liaison to external partners and stakeholders, faculty, internal research teams, and others engaged in furthering technology commercialization opportunities for the campus.

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field of study with ten (10) years of related professional work experience, including three (3) or more years of supervisory experience.
• Two (2) years of demonstrated experience serving as founder, co‑founder, and/or senior executive of at least two (2) research‑based startup companies, which can be counted concurrently with the required ten (10) years of experience.

• Education
• A Master’s degree in a relevant scientific, business, or related discipline.
• Experience
• Three (3) years of experience serving in a leadership capacity in a university research environment focusing on research infrastructure, current trends in technology transfer, and current federal and state research compliance regulations, policies, and practices, which can be counted concurrently with the required ten (10) years of experience.
• Two (2) years of demonstrated experience serving as an accredited investor and/or general partner (GP) or Limited Partner (LP) in a venture capital fund, which can be counted concurrently with the required ten (10) years of experience.

• Demonstrated skills in building positive relationships with senior leaders, managers, employees, and external stakeholders.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills with demonstrated ability to express and convey complex ideas.
• Demonstrated track record negotiating licenses and research agreements.
• Demonstrated thorough leadership in research, innovation, commercialization, and/or venture development, through published books, articles, or other media, as well as through public speaking at national/regional university, industry, or government conferences or events.
• Ability to effectively conduct strategic planning, budget proposal and monitoring, grant and contract administrative oversight, and personnel management.
• Strong understanding and connection with the Texas early‑stage new ventures ecosystem, including deep knowledge of the investor and service provider sectors in DFW and North Texas.

To the extent this position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Section 117.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code, the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the critical infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired and to continue to be employed in the position.

• Create outreach activities university‑wide to identify commercially relevant research and strong faculty partners who can be cultivated to help achieve commercial success.
• Create partnerships that link university, state, entrepreneurial and industry resources to address technology and economic development needs.
• Organize, manage, and maintain an effective tech transfer, technology incubator, and venture development program by assembling and mentoring a strong professional staff.
• Develop and monitor milestones and administer annual reviews of the Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, as well as the…