Industry Alliance Specialist (Hybrid)

$92,700 - $115,800

Initial applicant review will begin on or around March 15th, 2023. Posting will remain open until filled.

This postion offers a hybrid schedule.

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses and the first American research university built in the 21st century. With more than 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced offers an environment that combines a commitment to diversity, inclusion, collaboration, and professional development. With bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships, and community involvement, the UC Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable, and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.

Ranked among the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, UC Merced is uniquely equipped to provide educational opportunities for highly qualified students from the San Joaquin Valley and throughout California. The campus enjoys a special connection with nearby Yosemite National Park, is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design and supports the economic development of Merced and the region.

In Fall 2016, UC Merced broke ground on a $1.3 billion public-private partnership that is unprecedented in higher education. The Merced 2020 Project nearly doubled the physical capacity of the campus, enhancing academic distinction, student success and research excellence. In 2018, UC Merced opened the Downtown Campus Center, a $33 million, three-story administrative building located in the heart of Merced.

To set the course of UC Merced's evolution, in 2021 UC Merced will enact its first-ever 10-year strategic plan. This plan will guide how the values of equity and justice influence our pathway toward earning Carnegie R1 research status, growing enrollment, upholding our identity as a minority-serving institution, and operationalizing how commitments to equity, diversity and inclusion are enacted within each campus unit. UC Merced is expected to engage in sophisticated thinking, planning, and implementation of actions that effectively diversify the professoriate and staff, improve campus climate for all campus constituency groups, and strengthen our equity, diversity, and inclusion infrastructure and capacity.

The ideal candidate is a strong communicator and a creative problem solver with a passion for innovation and entrepreneurship responsible for strategic planning, organizing, and directing all phases of Innovation & Entrepreneurship within the division, including but not limited to grant-funded programs like the Blackstone Launch-Pad and NSF i-Corps. Managing department-sponsored programs in business development that include sourcing and vetting emerging start-ups and identifying resources to help start-ups to navigate the "valley of death." In addition to program management, the individual is responsible for marketing discoveries and developing metrics to measure the overall successes of the program, and establishing incubator services. This Individual must be energetic and deeply committed to the programmatic goals of assisting faculty and students.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supports and manages innovation programs such as Blackstone LauchPad, NSF i-Corps, and other innovation and entrepreneurship programs.

• Supports the Assistant Vice Chancellor in developing and executing programming for an incubator program which can include, but is not limited to, leading and coordinating mentor meetings, university faculty information sessions, and community/industry meetups.

• Develop educational content, mentor pipeline, and support to capture Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) funding.

• Supports cross-disciplinary collaborations in developing new industries for UCM.

• Develops, works closely with, and manages corporate and university partnerships. Meet with funders related to program objectives.

• Works with the OTIIR team to develop and implement other future innovation and entrepreneurial programs, including programs focused on using UCM innovation and intellectual property to develop commercial products and services and various funding opportunities. Researches and applies methods for program improvements.

• Works closely with the Communication and Marketing Department in creating and designing content and marketing material for UCM's programs and initiatives.

• Establishes, maintains, and fosters relationships with internal and external partners and other contacts in the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. Research organizations and businesses for potential collaborators and partners.

• Collaborates on outreach and engagement efforts for program activities and events.

• Collaborates with team to design strategic program plans.

• Analyzes data and develops inferences and conclusions. Drafts reports and papers.

• Performs other duties/special projects as assigned. May lead other lower-level staff.

• Other Duties as Assigned.

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

• Possession of a baccalaureate degree or higher in Business, Business Administration or related field. (Required)

• Three (3) years of progressively responsible professional experience with responsibilities for program or project management activities; or equivalent education/training or experience. (Required)

• Advanced degree such as Masters of Business Administration (MBA) or in Economics, Finance, Marketing or related area. Master's degree is preferred, but may not substitute for the required years of experience. (Preferred)

CRITICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Considerable working knowledge of principals, practices and techniques in the field of federal grant programs and funding sources as demonstrated by the broad knowledge of the full range of pertinent standard and evolving concepts, principles and methodologies.

• Considerable working knowledge and understanding of applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations and theories and systems associated with federal grant programs and its funding sources.

• Demonstrated ability to resolve wide ranging complex problems using creative reasoning and logic to accurately determine the cause of the problems and the resolution of the problems in an effective, innovative and timely manner. Analyzes situations accurately and adopts effective courses of action.

• Demonstrated ability to interpret and present information and ideas clearly and accurately in writing, verbally and by preparation of reports and other materials.

• Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer and apply word processing software.

• For supervisory work, demonstrated ability to lead subordinates, manage work priorities and projects, and manage employee relations.

• At least three (3) years of experience in program or project management, planning, and hosting events.

• At least three (3) years of experience in developing and implementing innovation and entrepreneurial programming.

• At least one (1) year of experience meeting grant outcomes.

• Knowledge of private and federal grant programs and funding sources.

• At least three (3) years of experience working in startup, venture capital and/or entrepreneurship ecosystems.

• Demonstrated ability to successfully manage multiple projects and or programs with the ability to clearly design and create operational processes, goals and metrics to success planning.

• Demonstrated ability to remain flexible when designing projects or programs and be able to pivot when necessary.

• Demonstrated ability to speak to large groups and in public forums and present ideas in presentation format concisely and succinctly.

• Able to adapt to working with new software and software programs such as Google Drive, Canva, Air Table, Slack and other project management tools with confidence.

• Any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education, knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated.

• Familiarity with Merced's innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem, principles of public and private funding. (Preferred)

• Experience in lean startup methodology. (Preferred)

• Experience working with UC or other higher education institutions. (Preferred)

• Experience with strategic planning and project management. (Preferred)

• Understanding of business and government practices in California nationally and internationally. (Preferred)

• Understanding of the principles of public and private funding. (Preferred)

• Experience in grant development, writing, and execution. (Preferred)

• Experience with budget preparation and principles and practices of performance measurement and process improvement. (Preferred)

Background check and fingerprinting will be required.

How to Apply:
An online application is required for each position to apply.The University of California, Merced is aware that some web-based application processes may be cumbersome for differently abled applicants. Where appropriate, alternative accommodations will be provided. For applicants with disabilities who need additional assistance using TAM, or reasonable accommodations during the interview or search process, please contact ucmjobs@ucmerced.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity:
The University of California, Merced is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, pregnancy, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran, or other protected categories covered by the UC Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action Policy. UC Merced intentionally promotes and maintains a discrimination- and harassment-free workplace by demonstrating it neither condones nor tolerates employment practices that discriminate against or harass any person or specific group of persons on the basis listed above. We seek candidates who will support our vision to cultivate a vibrant, equity-minded, inclusive excellence university community. When applying to UC Merced, we strongly encourage you to reflect on our Principles of Community and our 2021 strategic plan.

Vaccination Program Policy:

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Policy. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of Full Vaccination or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, and/or Religious Objection) or Deferral (based on pregnancy) no later than the applicable deadline. For new University of California employees, the applicable deadline is 14 days after their first date of employment.

Smoke and Tobacco Free Policy:
The University of California, Merced is a smoke and tobacco free workplace. Information and the Smoke and Tobacco Free policy is available at http://smokefree.ucmerced.edu.

E-Verify:
All employers who receive Federal contracts and grants are required to comply with E-Verify, an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA). E-Verify electronically verifies employment eligibility by comparing information provided on the I-9 form to records in the DHS and SSA databases. Certain positions funded by federal contracts/subcontracts requires UC Merced to notify job applicants that an E-Verify check will be conducted and the successful candidate must pass the E-Verify check.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule:
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University of California visit: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/

This position is eligible for the UC Merced Employee Referral Program (ERP). If you were referred by a UC Merced employee, please identify that employee by name in your application as follows:

Step 5 of 7 (on the application) Referrals

How did you hear about the job? (select) "other"

Additional information? (select) "other"

Specific Referral Source? (write in) first and last name of referring employee

Referring employee MUST be named on application for eligibility.