Chief Operations Officer - Innovation Space

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Every day, scientists and entrepreneurs at The Innovation Space are working to turn promising discoveries into companies and solutions to change the world for the better with the potential to improve lives, strengthen industries, and address important global challenges.

The Innovation Space is a nonprofit organization and entrepreneurial ecosystem that helps science-based startups transform breakthrough technologies into commercially viable businesses. Located on the historic Experimental Station campus in Wilmington, Delaware, The Innovation Space provides an integrated platform of laboratory and office facilities, shared scientific equipment, entrepreneurial programs, expert mentorship, funding opportunities, and connections to investors and strategic partners.

Established through a public-private partnership among the State of Delaware, DuPont, and the University of Delaware, The Innovation Space supports entrepreneurs working across life sciences, industrial biotechnology, advanced materials, clean technology, renewable energy, nutrition, and related fields. Its collaborative ecosystem brings together scientists, entrepreneurs, business leaders, investors, and service providers to accelerate commercialization, company growth, and real-world impact.

The Innovation Space is a collaborative, mission-driven, and entrepreneurial organization. Our work moves quickly, priorities evolve, and team members regularly contribute beyond traditional functional boundaries. We value curiosity, sound judgment, mutual respect, practical problem-solving, and a shared commitment to helping entrepreneurs succeed.

Since 2017, over 160 companies supported by The Innovation Space have raised more than $1.24 billion in capital. In 2025, The Innovation Space and its portfolio of startups supported approximately 2,490 jobs and generated an estimated $703.9 million in economic output nationwide.

Learn more ovationspace.org.

The Chief Operations Officer leads the laboratory, facilities, scientific support, and business operations that enable The Innovation Space and its client companies to succeed. Reporting operationally to the President & CEO, the COO translates organizational strategy into safe, reliable, and scalable systems across facilities, finance, legal, technology, people operations, EH&S, compliance, and risk management. This highly visible role combines enterprise leadership with hands‑on execution and offers the opportunity to help scientists and entrepreneurs advance breakthrough technologies toward commercial and societal impact.

The COO leads a capable multidisciplinary team with four direct reports: the Client Experience Manager, Assistant Director of Facilities, Senior Scientist and Laboratory Manager, and Laboratory Coordinator. The COO also draws upon specialized expertise from DuPont and an established network of external financial and legal advisors, contractors, and service partners. This combination of internal capability and external support enables the COO to provide enterprise-level leadership, delegate effectively, and remain sufficiently close to day‑to‑day execution to engage directly when needed.

The COO will be a DuPont employee seconded to The Innovation Space. The President & CEO of The Innovation Space will provide day‑to‑day direction, establish organizational priorities, and oversee performance in the role, while DuPont will retain responsibility for employment administration. This is an opportunity to help shape a nationally significant center for science‑based entrepreneurship. The COO will work alongside scientists, founders, investors, corporate leaders, and public‑sector partners advancing new…