Executive Director Metro State Applied Innovation Institute; MSAII

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Working Title:

Executive Director of the Metro State Applied Innovation Institute (MSAII)
Institution:
Metropolitan State University
Classification

Title:

Non Employee Bargaining Unit / Union:
Contingent Workers
City:
St. Paul
FLSA:
Non Job Exempt
Full Time / Part Time:
Full time
Employment Condition:
Volunteer
Salary Range: (Please disregard the Volunteer employment status, this is a MSAII paid position)

Metro State Applied Innovation Institute (MSAII) is an independent 501 (c) (3) foundation established to support and conduct scientific research and educational and informational activities in areas such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and other related cutting-edge technologies for the benefit of Metro State University, Minnesota’s public, urban university with robust academic programs in these fields. Metropolitan State is recognized by College Net as a leading higher education promoter of social mobility for students (Ranked # 12 out of 1,398 in 2026) and is ranked by Washington Monthly as #13 out 585 national Master’s Universities and one of its twenty-five Best in Class Colleges.

MSAII is seeking to hire an Executive Director. This is a full-time position within MSAII; thus, the Executive Director is not a State of Minnesota employee.

• Institute Operations and Business Model Development:
  The Executive Director develops and manages the Institute’s sustainable operating model, including revenue-generating training, contract research, sponsored projects, cyber range services, certification preparation, and custom employer solutions.
• External Partnerships and Client Relationship Management:
  In collaboration with the Chief Innovation and Research Officer, the Executive Director serves as an external-facing representative of the Institute with business, government, defense, nonprofit, education, workforce, and community partners.
• Contract Research and Sponsored Project Support:
  The Executive Director supports the business and administrative aspects of contract research, STTR-related activities, appropriations-funded work, sponsored projects, and applied innovation projects.
• Training, Certification, and Revenue-Generating Programs:
  The Executive Director oversees the business model for training, certification, and other revenue-generating programs associated with the Institute.
• Financial Management and Sustainability:
  The Executive Director is responsible for developing and monitoring the financial model necessary to sustain and grow the Institute.
• Internal Coordination and Governance:
  The Executive Director coordinates with the MSAII Board and across Metro State units, faculty leads, staff, external partners, and Minnesota State system offices as needed.
• Strategic Growth and Institutional Positioning:
  The Executive Director works with Institute leadership and the board to position MSAII as a statewide and regional leader in cybersecurity, AI, applied innovation, defense-adjacent workforce development, public-sector technology capacity, and responsible technology adoption.

Salary Range: $210,000 to $225,000 annually.

• Master’s degree
• Four years of leadership in business development, sponsored project, nonprofit, or research administration experience.
• Experience with budget development, revenue modeling, developing and managing grants or contracts or fee-for-service programs.
• Experience working with universities, government agencies, nonprofits, industry partners, and public-sector organizations.
• Demonstrated success in collaborating cross-institutionally and with external organizations.

• Doctoral degree.
• Degree or Certificate in business, public…