AUTM is the nonprofit leader in efforts to educate, promote and inspire professionals to support the development of academic research that changes the world and drives innovation forward through technology transfer. In this role, as the Executive Director, you will be employed by AUTM in support of its multi-year grant to run the Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC). FLC is a nationwide network of more than 300 federal laboratories, agencies, and research centers that fosters commercialization best practice strategies and opportunities for accelerating federal technologies from out of the labs and into the marketplace. You will work regularly with colleagues at AUTM, as well as the FLC Executive Board and representatives from government labs.
Applications must be received by Dec. 2
What you will do:
You will serve as the Executive Director for the FLC – the chief staff officer position for the organization – and will be responsible for both executing the 2020-2025 FLC Strategic Plan (see Strategic Plan Outline below) and ensuring that the FLC serves the needs and interests of its Members. You will play a key role in the creation of a lasting and successful partnership between the FLC and AUTM.
You will report to both the FLC Executive Board and the AUTM CEO and will be responsible for the following:
Enable the implementation of the long-term vision and mission of the FLC through direct collaboration with the FLC Executive Board, including NIST.
Develop and implement online resources that stakeholders may access to search for available technologies, user facilities, and other data that will enable them to engage with Federal labs, including a centralized FLC website.
Develop and implement resources that will enable Federal T2 professionals to improve their laboratory’s or agency’s T2 activities and engagements with stakeholders.
Develop and implement education, training, and workforce development courses and materials, to enhance T2 capabilities both within agencies and for the public.
Conduct outreach and engagement with stakeholder groups through individual meetings, showcases, conference attendance at other stakeholder groups’ annual meetings (for example, the AUTM, the Licensing Executives Society, etc. or similar), and other in-person or electronic contacts.
Increase the recognition of Federal T2 activities and successful collaborations with the private sector through internal awards, success stories and case studies, technical or trade publications, and creation/distribution of other materials.
Facilitate the sharing of best practices, both within the Federal T2 community and, where appropriate, with the industry and academic communities, through in-person and/or electronic means, including at the Annual FLC Meeting and regional FLC meetings.
Develop public reports and other printed and/or digital materials about the activities and impacts of the FLC.
In this role you will be responsible for the leading and managing of the FLC staff team, ensuring excellence in all aspects of our work, providing necessary resources to maximize efficiency and effectiveness of the organization, and preparing the association for the next level of evolution, scale and impact.
You will provide support across a broad spectrum of association responsibilities, including administration, strategic plan implementation and progress monitoring, budget development and oversight, governance support and compliance and membership strategy experience.
Your qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree, with a preference for an advanced scientific or business degree (PhD or MBA preferred)
At least 10 years of experience in technology transfer with a proven track record of success;
Experience in at least one Federal laboratory in a senior role;
High level strategic thinking and planning skills
Transparent and high integrity leadership skills
Experience and skill in working with a Board of Directors
Demonstrated ability to oversee and collaborate with staff
Solid organizational abilities, including planning, delegating, program development and task facilitation
Ability to effectively communicate the organization’s mission and vision
Success in establishing and nurturing relationships with individuals and organizations or influence
Strong financial management skills, including budget preparation, analysis, decision making and reporting
Strong written and oral communication skills including public speaking
Strategic Plan Outline:
PROMOTE: Actively promote availability, benefit, and value of Federal laboratory assets through technology transfer (T2) to improve national economic prosperity and execution of lab missions
GOAL 1: Provide clear and simple communication and messaging of opportunities, benefit, and value available through T2 to the lab leadership and technical staff, national leadership, private sector, and other key stakeholders. (communication strategy and plan)
GOAL 2: Leverage and expand on-line tools and resources that promote awareness of and access to available lab assets to the private sector and other key stakeholders. (tools and services)
GOAL 3: Recognize the T2 community’s best practices and top performers. (awards)
OUTCOME: Persistent awareness through intentional messaging to lab leadership, national leadership (executive & legislative branches) as well as FLC’s traditional external audiences (private sector, State and local government, etc.).
EDUCATE: Provide progressive full spectrum education and training (E&T) and networking opportunities for Federal T2 professionals and key internal stakeholders
GOAL 1: Provide a robust training program for Federal T2 professionals delivered through state-of-the-art mechanisms. (T2 professional training)
GOAL 2: Provide education & training to address two major ‘gaps’ in the Federal T2 community: (1) T2 professionals communicating how T2 delivers value and benefit to the mission of the lab. (defining the value proposition) and (2) lab leadership and technical staff on the value and benefit to the mission of the lab. (executive education)
GOAL 3: Provide and expand intentional networking and sharing of best practices within the Federal lab T2 community. (networking)
OUTCOME: Internal training of Federal lab employees is in focus through a ‘pipeline’ approach (intentional, progressive), enhanced networking, and addressing the recognized gap of communicating up the chain.
CONNECT: Proactively engage and leverage partnerships that connect relevant private sector partners with individual Federal laboratories to increase measurable outcomes
GOAL 1: Provide pilots, programs, and events that deploy “outreach” efforts to increase company to lab transactional opportunities. (pilots and programs)
GOAL 2: Identify and establish strategically aligned relationships with intermediary partners that connect relevant communities of interest (technical, geographical, market, State & local governments, etc.) with Federal labs for interactions. (strategic partnerships)
OUTCOME: External tangible partnerships are in focus; resulting in measurable quality outcomes at the individual lab level.
What we offer:
We believe in taking care of our employees, so AUTM offers great benefits including health, vision, and dental insurance, a generous 401(k) plan, and life/disability insurance policies.
For consideration please submit your resume and cover letter with salary requirements no later than Dec. 2.
Internal Number: 001
About AUTM
AUTM is the non-profit leader in efforts to educate, promote and inspire professionals to support the development of academic research that changes the world and drives innovation forward. Our community is comprised of more than 3,000 members who work in more than 800 universities, research centers, hospitals, businesses and government organizations around the globe.
