University Dean of Innovation

About the role

The University Dean of Innovation serves as CUNY's chief strategic leader for innovation and entrepreneurship, responsible for advancing University-wide commercialization, technology transfer, entrepreneurship, and industry engagement priorities across all 26 colleges and schools.

Responsibilities

• Establish and direct the University-wide innovation and entrepreneurship strategy — setting priorities, aligning initiatives with the Office of Research Strategic Plan and Chancellor's priorities, and deploying resources to achieve measurable outcomes.
• Own performance management for the innovation ecosystem: define and monitor KPIs, hold organizational units accountable for goals and milestones, and advise University leadership on resource allocation and institutional investment.
• Develop, recommend, and implement University-wide policies, frameworks, and operating standards governing innovation, entrepreneurship, technology commercialization, and industry engagement.
• Partner with individual staff to leverage their talents and realize both individual and team objectives.
• Scale faculty engagement with commercialization pipelines; broaden and accelerate faculty invention disclosures, licenses, patents, royalties, and private equity investments.
• Establish faculty mentorship initiatives that elevate and retain diverse, next-generation entrepreneurship talent.
• Partner with OR and University communications teams to shape and strengthen the CUNY innovation brand and messaging.
• Serve as CUNY's public-facing ambassador for innovation and entrepreneurship at national and international higher education and industry convenings.
• Partner with Associate Vice Chancellor for Research, broader Chancellery, college leaderships, and Board of Trustees to fully articulate the role of innovation and entrepreneurship at CUNY and its complement to the University’s education and career missions.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Associate Vice Chancellor for Research.

Qualifications

• This position is in CUNY's Executive Compensation Plan. All executive positions require a minimum of a bachelor's degree and eight years' related experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex, multi-unit or university-wide strategic initiatives involving diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated track record of highly successful, senior-level leadership and management experience, particularly in guiding and mentoring business startup and/or technology transfer.
• History of teaming with higher education leadership to craft and influence research vision, policy, and strategic messaging for decision-makers both within and beyond the institution.
• Significant experience in catalyzing faculty entrepreneurship and discovery commercialization through the innovation lifecycle.
• Strong command of higher education intersects with startups and industry, with an emphasis on novel partnerships, training pathways, and technology transfer.
• Robust knowledge of relevant federal, State, and City government agencies and funding priorities.
• Able to link public investment to academic innovation ecosystems.
• Poise, stature, and relationship acumen to serve as an ambassador of CUNY research identity and excellence both within and beyond the University.
• Exemplary organizational and project management skills to develop objectives, set and adapt to changing priorities, manage competing demands/changes, and meet deadlines.
• Proactive, flexible and collaborative work style with strong interpersonal communication, presentation and negotiation skills to forge successful relationships with diverse faculty, staff, and external partners.
• Detail oriented and precise with strong research, writing, and analytical skills, plus ability to thrive in a demanding, multi-faceted, and time-sensitive office.
• Commitment to public service, service excellence, inclusion, equity, ethics, and integrity to manage highly sensitive information and material discretely.