Executive Director, Innovation

Executive Director, Innovation and Opportunity

Executive Director, Innovation and Opportunity

Posting Category:

E

About UIS: Located in the state capital, the University of Illinois Springfield is one of three members of the University of Illinois system. The University serves more than 4,000 students in 44 graduate and 56 undergraduate programs. You are encouraged to visit the university web page at http://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). .

Proposed Annual Salary: $120,000

The Executive Director of Innovation and Opportunity (ED) at the University of Illinois Springfield will lead innovation and economic development efforts at UIS to benefit the regional economy in collaboration with local industry, government partners, Continuing and Professional Education (CAPE), and the Illinois Innovation Network (IIN). These efforts will be primarily conducted through the development and execution of related programming at Innovate Springfield, UIS' downtown Springfield innovation center and founding hub of the IIN.

The Executive Director (ED) will lead Innovate Springfield's strategic framework across five interconnected pillars: business incubation and venture growth; business modernization and applied innovation; CAPE-delivered professional education and workforce development; student talent pipeline and engagement; and emerging technology awareness. Working closely with UIS leaders, faculty, staff, students, and community partners, the ED will develop and implement entrepreneurial and applied innovation initiatives that advance these strategic priorities.

These activities will accelerate regional technology adoption, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, strengthen educational opportunities, inform public policy, and promote social innovation throughout the region.

Innovate Springfield Strategy and Governance. Work with internal and external partners to resource, develop, direct and implement all Innovate Springfield strategies aligned with UIS’ strategic priorities and the Innovate Springfield strategic framework, and ensure the successful execution of Innovate Springfield operations and UIS innovation and economic development activities in collaboration with other program leads. Staff and lead advisory boards and related committees, ensuring regional input is translated into UIS programs, partnerships and measurable outcomes.

Lead all aspects of programming across Innovate Springfield’s five pillars — business incubation and acceleration, business modernization and applied innovation, professional education and workforce development, student talent pipeline, and emerging-technology awareness.

Financial Sustainability. Develop, lead and ensure financial support and viability of Innovate Springfield’s operations, as well as the business incubation and acceleration programs and Innovate Springfields’s partnership model with Continuing and Professional Education (CAPE) for scalable, credential-generating programming. Develop, implement, and manage Innovate Springfield's operations and budget to ensure efficient service delivery and long‑term financial sustainability. Collaborate with UIS Advancement and program leaders to secure financial support for Innovate Springfield's operations and programs.

Establish and monitor meaningful performance measures, including a quarterly outcomes dashboard, to evaluate progress and organizational success.

Programming Effectiveness. Ensure effectiveness across all Innovate Springfield programs — including business modernization and applied innovation (such as a recurring AI‑adoption demonstration series and the region’s AI community of practice), CAPE‑delivered professional education and stackable credentials, and emerging‑technology awareness — by working with other UIS leaders responsible for programing in such areas as technology and research commercialization, social innovation, public policy, and experiential and workforce education, as well as other program areas determined by the UIS Chancellor.

Regional Partnerships. Develop and coordinate all UIS’ initiatives with other UIS leaders responsible for programing to bring innovation to bear on the broad…