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Account/Position No.:                       24570/214920                                     Level 16

Position Title:    Position Title:                                    Director, East Tennessee State University Innovation Laboratory

Department:                                      Research and Sponsored Programs Administration

Expectations for All Employees

East Tennessee State University pursues its mission based upon core values.  An employee's job performance must support and exhibit the university's core values:

PEOPLE come first, are treated with dignity and respect, and are encouraged to achieve their full potential;

RELATIONSHIPS are built on honesty, integrity and trust;

DIVERSITY of people and thought is respected;

EXCELLENCE is achieved through teamwork, leadership, creativity, and a strong work ethic;

EFFICIENCY is achieved through wise use of human and financial resources; and

COMMITMENT to intellectual achievement is embraced.

Function of Position

Responsible to the Vice Provost for Research and Sponsored Programs for supervising the activities of the East Tennessee State University (ETSU) Innovation Laboratory.  Working within the guidelines for entrance into the Innovation Laboratory, the Director is the primary person responsible for recruitment of clients and the day-to-day operations of the facility.  Serves as a mentor to client companies and assists companies which are graduating from the Innovation Laboratory transition to other facilities.  Actively promotes entrepreneurship within the extended region by promoting and hosting workshops and programs and works closely with the Tennessee Small Business Development Center located in the Innovation Laboratory. 

Works effectively with the Innovation Laboratory Advisory Board and is responsible for oversight of daily operations of the Innovation laboratory and for management of its budget.  Cooperates with the Vice Provost for Research, the Executive Director of the East Tennessee State University Research Foundation and the Innovation Laboratory Advisory Board and other entities to obtain external financial support for the Innovation Laboratory.  Serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the ETSU Research Foundation.

Essential Functions

-       -    Communicates the Innovation Laboratory’s presence and mission to the community.

-       -    Recruits new companies to the Innovation Laboratory within the established criteria for admission.

-       -    Chairs and works effectively with the Innovation Laboratory Advisory Board in recruitment and admission of Innovation Laboratory client companies; advisement of client companies; and community    outreach.

-       -    Provides leadership in mentoring client companies.

-       -    Works collaboratively with other business incubators through active membership in the Mountain South Incubator Alliance and the National Business Incubation association.

Secondary Functions

-       -    Provides oversight of daily management of the Innovation Laboratory including supervision of the Innovation Laboratory staff.

-       -    Manages of the Innovation Laboratory operating budget.

-       -    Facilitates positive client relations with the Innovation Laboratory, East Tennessee State University, the East Tennessee State University Research Foundation and each other.

-       -    Works with the Vice Provost for Research, the Executive Director of the East Tennessee State University Research Foundation and the Innovation Laboratory Advisory Board and other entities to obtain  external financial support of the Innovation Laboratory.

-       -    Promotes and facilitates educational programs for entrepreneurs and small business leaders.

-    Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Abilities

-        -    Knowledge of trends in development of technology-oriented businesses.

-        -    Knowledge of the relationship between the Innovation Laboratory and regional economic development goals and global competitiveness.

-        -    Ability to successfully interact with incubator clients from a variety of technical and educational backgrounds.

-        -    Ability to work effectively with local, regional and state economic development agencies.

-        -    Ability to assist in the preparation of funding proposals and participate in the execution of funded projects.

-        -    Knowledge of business plan development, business operations, management, marketing and finance.

Supervision Given and Received

Performs under general supervision.  Determines own methods of performing assigned work. Directly supervises administrative and classified employees.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in a scientific, high technology, information technology, biomedical or engineering discipline required. MBA preferred. Experience working in the private sector and managing projects for a high technology, information technology, biomedical technology or engineering company required. A demonstrable record of a high degree of personal integrity and excellent communication skills required. General Knowledge of the mission and operation of a public university preferred.

February 2008