Assistant Director 127250

Apply now Job no:495357
Work type:Staff Full-time
Location:Downtown Pensacola
Categories:Staff, SBDC

The University of West Florida is an Equal Opportunity/Access/Affirmative Action/Disabled/Veteran employer. Any individual requiring special accommodation to apply is requested to advise UWF by contacting UWF Human Resources at 1-850-474-2694 (voice) or 1-850-857-6158 (TTY). E-Verify is required for employment. All applications for employment at the University are subject to Florida public records law. 

Please review job requirements carefully.  Failure to submit all pieces of the application may result in disqualification. Applications are accepted on the University of West Florida career site: https://careers.uwf.edu . For assistance contact UWF Human Resources at 850-474-2694 or [email protected] .

Employment based visa sponsorship will NOT be considered for this position.

Position Number: 127250
Position Title (Classification Title):  Assistant Director 127250
Working Title:  Tech Transition and Commercialization Specialist
Job Summary: The Technology Transition and Commercialization Specialist, a member of the Florida APEX Accelerator, will play a pivotal role in supporting activities to facilitate the transition of innovative technologies from federal labs, universities, research institutions into the commercial marketplace and introducing novel technologies into the Department of Defense and other government agencies. This collaborative position, jointly hosted by Florida APEX Accelerator, Florida SBDC, and DEFENSEWERX, aims to provide support to Florida small businesses and startups in harnessing the potential of advanced research and development efforts and assisting in activities to connect them with federal agencies, innovation hubs, and other entities within the innovation ecosystem.
Department SBDC-State Director's Office
FLSA: Exempt
Minimum Qualifications: Masters degree in an appropriate area of specialization and two years of appropriate experience: or a bachelors degree in an appropriate area of specialization and four years of appropriate experience.
Position Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (engineering, business, technology management, etc.);
Demonstrated experience in technology transfer, commercialization, or related roles with four years of appropriate experience.
Strong understanding of federal research and development landscape, federal agencies, and innovation ecosystems.
Preferred Qualifications Master's degree preferred.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for building relationships and facilitating collaborations.
Business acumen and understanding of startup dynamics and challenges.
Ability to work collaboratively across multiple organizations and sectors.
Self-motivated, proactive, and adaptable to evolving situations.
Essential Functions / Job Duties:

• 30% - 1. Technology Transfer and Commercialization: ○ Support activities to assist in Identifying promising technologies developed in federal labs, universities, and research institutions that have commercialization and defense market potential. Assist in activities that will enable matchmaking between these technologies and the Florida small business community. ○ Assist activities to enable Florida small businesses and startups in collaboration with Florida APEX regional consultants and Florida SBDC regional consultants in navigating the technology transfer process, including licensing agreements and intellectual property considerations. ○ Support activities to provide input and assist in utilizing the Florida APEX’s and Florida SBDC’s vast network to help small businesses develop strategies for adapting and refining technologies to meet commercial and defense market needs and demands. ○ Support activities to work with Florida APEX and SBDC consultants to bring awareness of DWX challenges and open technology pitch events to support the DWX ecosystem, while advancing the Florida small business technology ecosystem. ○ Support APEX and SBDC consultants in increasing the number of Florida small businesses receiving SBIR/STTR grants. - (Essential)
• 10% - 2. Federal Lab Introductions and Collaboration: ○ Assist in activities to establish and nurture relationships with federal laboratories and research centers to facilitate technology introductions and collaborations. ○ Support activities to organize workshops, seminars, and networking events to connect entrepreneurs with federal researchers and experts in collaboration with regional consultants and DWX. ○ Support activities to help Identify funding opportunities and grants available for joint projects between businesses, federal labs, DWX, APEX, and SBDC. - (Essential)
• 10% - 3. Innovation Hub and University Engagement: ○ Assist activities to leverage the Florida Entrepreneurial Nexus to create a supportive ecosystem for technology-driven startups. ○ Assist activities that enhance Collaboration with universities to leverage cutting-edge research for commercial applications and foster university-industry collaboration through regional APEX and SBDC hosts. - (Essential)
• 10% - 4. Federal Agency Liaison: ○ Assist supporting activities between small businesses and federal agencies interested in technology adoption and innovation. ○ Collaborate and stay updated on agency-specific innovation programs and funding initiatives to guide businesses toward suitable opportunities. - (Essential)
• 10% - 5. Market Research and Analysis: ○ Assist in activities to utilize the Florida SBDC research and data analyst, interns, and other entities to conduct market research to identify market trends, customer needs, and potential competitors for technologies in consideration. ○ Assist in activities to analyze commercial viability and potential return on investment for technology commercialization projects. - (Essential)
• 20% - 6. Business Development and Support: ○ Assist to Facilitate guidance, feedback, and data relevant to specific technology through co-consulting as required to support APEX and SBDC consultants on business plan development, market entry strategies, and funding options. ○ Assist activities to help businesses in preparing pitches, proposals, and presentations for potential investors, partners, and customers through co-consulting activities with APEX and SBDC consultants. - (Essential)
• 10% - 7. Networking and Outreach: ○ Engage in networking activities to expand the specialist's own contacts and to increase visibility of the program. ○ Assist in supporting the collaborative initiative at industry events, conferences, and workshops. ○ Assist to Increase the awareness of technology innovation focused organizations to support the increased participation in the defense industrial base. ○ Assist in activities to support the expansion, collaboration and accuracy of the Florida Entrepreneurial Nexus. - (Essential)

Physical Demands:

• Physical Requirements: Occasional and/or light lifting required. Limited exposure to elements such as heat, cold, noise, dust, dirt, chemicals, etc., but none to the point of being disagreeable. May involve minor safety hazards where likely results would be cuts, bruises, etc.
• Impact of Deadlines: Externally imposed deadlines set and revised beyond one’s control. Interruptions influence priorities. Difficult to anticipate nature or volume of work with certainty beyond a few days.
• Standing: Daily
• Walking: Daily
• Sitting: Daily
• Reaching with hands and arms: Daily
• Climbing or balancing: Occasionally
• Stooping: Occasionally
• Use of hands to handle objects: Daily
• Lifting up to 10lbs: Frequently
• Lifting up to 25lbs: Occasionally
• Lifting over 25lbs: Occasionally
• Talking as express or exchange of ideas verbally: Daily
• Hearing as perceive sound by ear: Daily
• Vision as distinguish colors & depth: Daily

Special Requirements or Considerations of the Job:

This position requires fingerprinting.

This position requires a criminal background screen.

This position requires a valid driver's license.

Number of Vacancies 1
Work Hours 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
FTE 1.0
Salary Range $65,000 - $70,000
Pay Basis Annually
Preferred Response Date: 3/29/2024
Special Instructions to Applicants: Candidates must apply online through the University of West Florida website: https://careers.uwf.edu. Applicants are required to attach a resume, cover letter and contact information for three references. References will be contacted upon submission of this application. An opportunity to upload these documents will be provided during the application process. For assistance, please contact Human Resources at 850-474-2694 or email [email protected].

Advertised:January 19, 2024
Applications close:Open until filled

Apply now

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