Innovation Programming Manager

The Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIE) within the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) seeks an Innovation Programming Manager to support Pitt innovators in their commercialization efforts.

The University offers funding and training programs to inspire and enable Pitt innovators at all stages of the invention lifecycle.  This programming includes foundational customer discovery training that allows innovators to evaluate the commercial potential of their technologies.  Pitt offers this customer discovery training as a partner institution in the National Science Foundation-funded Interior Northeast (IN) I-CorpsTM Hub.  This position will be responsible for managing Pitt’s I-Corps program and contributing to the development and implementation of additional programming overseen by OIE.

Preferred qualifications include:

Education

Ph.D. or similar degree in a field directly related to technology commercialization is strongly preferred.  Candidates with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree and exceptional experience in field(s) related to technology commercialization may also be considered.

Experience

Experience with intensive customer training is strongly preferred. Experience with additional innovation programming is also preferred.    

The Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship inspires, educates and enables others to make an impact on society, improve the regional economy and transform their own careers. The office is composed of four units: The Innovation Institute, the Office of Industry and Economic Partnerships, the Big Idea Center for student innovation, and the Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence. For more information please visit the website at: innovation.pitt.edu.

Creates a commercialization program of planned outreach. Works with faculty throughout invention lifecycle and accounts for all aspects of a commercialization package. Coordinates across stakeholders to ensure adherence to scope, timeline, and launch plan execution. Develops policies and procedures, prepares and maintains budgets, and performs other associated administrative duties.

·         Manage the daily operation of all aspects of Pitt’s I-Corps program.  This includes oversight of administrative, budgetary, instructional, and outreach functions.

·         Serve as primary OIE liaison with IN I-Corps Hub leadership.  Ensure timely completion of all reporting requirements to the IN I-Corps Hub.

·         Collaborate with other OIE and University units to facilitate tangible next steps, as appropriate, for Pitt teams who successfully complete an I-Corps course.

·         Contribute to the development and implementation of innovation programming intended to inspire and enable Pitt innovators at all stages of the invention lifecycle.

·         Contribute to the collection and analysis of data used to evaluate the performance of OIE innovation programming.

Job is mostly sedentary, but may require travel on campus to attend meetings or events.