Associate Director

Acumen is seeking an Associate Director of Imperial Global USA to support one of the world’s leading universities in building its presence and partnerships in the San Francisco Bay Area. Imperial College London ranks second globally in the QS World University Rankings 2027, combining world-leading science, engineering, medicine and business with a growing deep tech innovation ecosystem anchored by West Tech London - one of Europe’s most dynamic environments for frontier science and technology.

Imperial Global USA is Imperial’s dedicated hub in the United States, situated at SHACK
15 in the iconic Ferry Building in San Francisco. Its central mission is to serve as a bridge between London and the San Francisco Bay Area for talent, ideas and capital - connecting Imperial’s world-leading research and enterprise community with one of the world’s most dynamic innovation ecosystems. Both cities are anchored by exceptional universities, deep pools of venture capital, and a culture of scientific ambition;

the hub exists to make the complementarity between these two ecosystems tangible and productive, and over time to develop wider networks across the UK and California that build on frameworks such as the UK-California partnership on climate, business and trade.

The Associate Director will have the opportunity to work alongside world-leading scientists and innovators to build a dynamic network of partnerships spanning academia, industry, and investment. They will work closely with the Academic Director for Imperial Global USA and be the liaison point for a high-profile External Advisory Council of Bay Area science, technology and investment leaders, including Imperial alumni. The role sits within the International Relations Office (IRO) at Imperial and is expected to work collaboratively and closely with the IRO team, who lead international strategy coordination on behalf of the university.

Benefits include:
Healthcare, vision, dental, access to contribute to a 401k and/or Roth.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the role is filled.

Questions about the role can be directed to Julia Kulik () and Michael McTernan (). Please note, this position is hired, employed, and jointly managed by Acumen.

We are seeking someone with:

• Experience developing science and technology partnerships and networks in the United States, particularly in the Bay Area
• Experience in business development, partnership building, or related areas
• Knowledge of the technology, innovation and research environment in the UK
• Experience fostering academic-industry collaborations
• Knowledge of the startup and venture capital landscape, especially in science and technology sectors
• Confident in delivering presentations and other public speaking activities
• Ability to network effectively both within Imperial College London and with key contacts across the USA
• Strong strategic thinking and planning skills, with the ability to develop and implement long-term vision and goals
• Willingness to work off-hours to accommodate the UK time zone
• Ability and desire to travel regularly (in North America and abroad)
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.

This is a broad and comprehensive remit, and the right candidate will bring both the ambition and the judgement to navigate it well. Imperial Global USA is at an early and formative stage, and the Associate Director will have real scope to shape its direction - identifying and prioritizing over time the most strategic opportunities within a rich and fast-moving ecosystem and building the partnerships and programmes that will define the hub's long-term impact.

The Associate Director will be responsible for the development and future direction of the hub, working closely with an Academic Director, university leadership, academics from across the four faculties, and professional service directorates to build strategic networks and programmes that enhance Imperial’s visibility and drive high-impact partnerships as a bridge between London and the San Francisco Bay Area for talent, ideas and capital.

The core remit of…