Chief Executive Officer, Southwest Sustainability Innovation Engine

99787BR

Campus: Tempe

Exec Director

Job Description

Arizona State University (ASU) is seeking a skilled leader to serve as its inaugural Chief Executive Officer for the Southwest Sustainability Innovation Engine (SWSIE). SWSIE is an innovation ecosystem aimed at catalyzing and transforming the Southwest (SW) into a national and international hub for reaching net zero carbon and water sustainability goals. Led by Arizona State University and regional industry, government, NGO, and college/university partners, SWSIE is funded by the National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines program as well as member organizations. 

This is a rare opportunity to lead a new consortium including ASU and nearly 50 partner organizations aimed at harnessing the innovative capacity of Arizona, Utah, and Nevada to elevate the SW as an economic engine; one focused holistically on knowledge translation, entrepreneurship, and workforce development directed toward quickly implementing cutting-edge advances in sustainability technology and governance solutions. Accordingly, the ideal candidate would bring “significant experience with knowledge translation, technology transfer, and/or moving R&D through testing and commercialization.” In particular, the ideal candidate would possess an expert-level understanding of the processes, ecosystems, nuances, opportunities, and challenges involved in translating early-stage research innovations into commercially deployed, real-world solutions. In this respect, the ideal candidate would have significant experience in: encouraging researchers to internally disclose new ideas and research results before external dissemination; evaluating intellectual property for technical merit, patentability, and commercial feasibility; overseeing the filing and prosecution of patent applications and/or copyright registrations where appropriate; marketing technologies to potential go-to-market commercial partners; negotiating, drafting, and enforcing licensing agreements and other agreements related to intellectual property; and building, managing, and leveraging a network of venture development resources within investment and entrepreneurship communities to support new startups. 

A leading public university based in the metropolitan Phoenix area, ASU is realizing a bold reinvention of higher education as the New American University. Under the leadership of President Michael Crow, ASU has developed numerous programs and units that bridge and transcend disciplinary boundaries to enable the exploration and discovery of new knowledge while developing solutions to serve Arizona and the world at large. The university has strong and simultaneous commitments to educational attainment, innovation, and sustainable outcomes, and assumes significant responsibility for the cultural, social, and economic vitality of its surrounding communities. This strategy is built around intellectual fusion, use- inspired research, and scholarship that addresses today’s largest and most essential societal problems. 

ASU is the headquarters of SWSIE and the selected candidate would be an employee of ASU. SWSIE also has major hubs and personnel at the University of Utah, the University of Nevada Las Vegas and the Desert Research Institute. The CEO will lead the implementation of SWSIE across Arizona, Utah, and Nevada.

Department Name

Global Futures Laboratory

Full-Time/Part-Time

Full-Time

VP Code

KNOWLEDGE ENTERPRISE DEV

Grant Funded Position

This is not a grant funded position and is not contingent on future grant funding.

Salary Range

Depends on experience

Essential Duties

• Reporting directly to a 12-member Governing Board, the CEO will provide leadership in advancing the unique and innovative approach of SWSIE. 
• They will be a critical player to execute the SWSIE implementation plan in co-innovation, translation, technology transfer via startups and established industry players, workforce development, and diversity, equity, inclusion to ensure a nimble and responsive organization that can adapt to changing needs and translate an ambitious vision into reality. 
• The CEO will cultivate strong relationships and be an extremely capable leader, organizer, and team builder with excellent executive skills to help develop and implement short- and long-term plans that align with SWSIE goals. 
• The CEO will also have the intellectual capacity, energy, and real-world experience to bridge the cultures, processes, and practices of SWSIE diverse member organizations to ensure the successful execution of projects. 
• The CEO will be responsible for executing strategies directed by the Governing Board and supervising SWSIE staff and working group leads.

Minimum Qualifications

Masters degree in a field appropriate to the area of assignment, and eight (8) years of related administrative experience which includes five (5) years of supervisory experience; OR, any equivalent combination of education and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skills, and abilities have been achieved.

Desired Qualifications

The successful candidate will bring many of the following:

• Significant experience with knowledge translation, technology transfer, and/or moving R&D through testing and commercialization;
• Expert-level understanding of the processes, ecosystems, nuances, opportunities, and challenges involved in translating early-stage research innovations into commercially deployed, real-world solutions;
• Significant experience in: encouraging researchers to internally disclose new ideas and research results before external dissemination; evaluating intellectual property for technical merit, patentability, and commercial potential; overseeing the filing, prosecution, and maintenance of patent applications and/or copyright registrations where appropriate; marketing technologies to potential go-to-market commercial partners; negotiating, drafting, and enforcing licensing agreements and other agreements related to intellectual property; and building, managing, and leveraging a network of venture development resources within investment and entrepreneurship communities to support new startups (e.g., family offices, angel investors, venture capital firms, venture studios, philanthropic organizations, state funding opportunities, incubators, accelerators, etc.);
• Record of successful senior leadership with high standards and expectations in a fast-paced work environment;
• Extraordinary client service and problem-solving acumen;
• Appreciation for a breadth of research areas within interdisciplinary science;
• Experience leading the execution of projects within a matrixed environment with competing priorities;
• A validated reputation of serving others above self for the good of the larger enterprise;
• Exceptionally strong executive, operational management, and communication skills;
• A personal commitment to advancing equity, inclusiveness, and diversity;
• Experience executing business strategies, plans and analyses;
• The professional credibility, maturity, intellectual depth, and confidence to lead and command the respect of the president, advisory boards, senior leadership team, SWSIE members, and external stakeholders;
• Ability to consolidate and strategically process competing inputs and demands with a tolerance for ambiguity; the ability to thrive in an environment of rapid change; and
• A willingness to take risks and advocate for unconventional ideas while working to implement the strategies and direction of the Governing Board.

There is a possibility of appointment as an ASU Professor of Practice title depending on experience. 

Working Environment

• Climate-controlled office setting subject to extended periods of being in a stationary position. 
• Constantly detects and operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine and computer printer.  
• Ability to clearly communicate and exchange accurate information to perform essential duties. 
• Expected to be responsive to customers, engaged in work production, resourceful, flexible, and respectful of others.

Department Statement

For the ninth year in a row, ASU has been named the most innovative school in the nation, recognizing the university's culture of groundbreaking research and partnerships, as well as its commitment to helping students thrive in college and beyond. U.S. News and World Report has named ASU as the most innovative university all nine years the category has existed.

ASU Knowledge Enterprise advances research, innovation, strategic partnerships, entrepreneurship, and international development. Our success arises from solutions-focused, interdisciplinary research; an entrepreneurial approach that is embedded in every school and department; and a commitment to transform society in a positive way. To learn more about how Knowledge Enterprise is a place for your career to grow, visit https://research.asu.edu/about-us/careers .
At Global Futures Laboratory, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to apply anyway. We value your unique background and perspective, and you may be just the right candidate for this position or other roles on our team.
Working at ASU has additional perks and outstanding benefits, which include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; sick leave and holidays; ASU/UA/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; state and optional retirement plans; access to ASU recreation and cultural activities; and more. To estimate the value of your total compensation, please visit https://cfo.asu.edu/compensation-estimator .

ASU Statement

Arizona State University is a new model for American higher education, an unprecedented combination of academic excellence, entrepreneurial energy and broad access. This New American University is a single, unified institution comprising four differentiated campuses positively impacting the economic, social, cultural and environmental health of the communities it serves. Its research is inspired by real world application blurring the boundaries that traditionally separate academic disciplines. ASU serves more than 100,000 students in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, the nation's fifth largest city. ASU champions intellectual and cultural diversity, and welcomes students from all fifty states and more than one hundred nations across the globe.

ASU is a tobacco-free university. For details visit https://wellness.asu.edu/explore-wellness/body/alcohol-and-drugs/tobacco

Arizona State University is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

Notice of Availability of the ASU Annual Security and Fire Safety Report
In compliance with federal law, ASU prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and resources. ASU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://www.asu.edu/police/PDFs/ASU-Clery-Report.pdf. You may request a hard copy of the report by contacting the ASU PD at 480-965-3456.

Relocation Assistance – For information about schools, housing child resources, neighborhoods, hospitals, community events, and taxes, visit https://cfo.asu.edu/az-resources .

Employment Verification Statement

ASU conducts pre-employment screening which may include verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications.

Fingerprint Check Statement

This position is considered safety/security sensitive and will include a fingerprint check. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the fingerprint check.

Instructions to Apply

Application deadline is 3:00PM Arizona time on the date indicated.

Please include all employment information in month/year format (e.g., 6/88 to 8/94), job title, job duties and name of employer for each position.

Resume should clearly illustrate how prior knowledge and experience meets the Minimum and Desired qualifications of this position.

ASU does not pay for travel expenses associated with interviews, unless otherwise indicated.

Only electronic applications are accepted for this position.

IMPORTANT NOTE: What is the meaning of “equivalent combination” in the minimum qualifications? It means one year of higher education or 24 credit hours, is equal to one year of experience. For example, a four year Bachelor’s degree is equal to four years of experience.