Director of Technology Commercialization
- Employer
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
View more categoriesView less categories
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Institution Type
- Four-Year Institution
Job Details
SBTDC KFBS Regional Svc Ctr-331700
Career Area :Other
Posting Open Date:09/10/2026
Application Deadline:09/24/2026
Open Until Filled:No
Position Type:Permanent Staff (EHRA NF)
Working Title:Director of Technology Commercialization
Appointment Type:EHRA Non-Faculty
Position Number:01000363
Vacancy ID:NF0010017
Full Time/Part Time:Full-Time Permanent
FTE:1
Hours per week:40
Position Location:North Carolina, US
Hiring Range:$80,000 - $90,000
Proposed Start Date:01/04/2027
Be a Tar Heel!:A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.
Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit:The Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) is a multi-campus inter-institutional program authorized by the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina. It functions as the Business and Technology extension service of the UNC System and is administered through North Carolina State University.
The primary mission of the SBTDC is to support economic growth and development in the state by providing assistance to existing small and medium-sized businesses and new business start-ups. It also has a lead role in facilitating technology development and transfer within the state s small business community. In carrying outs its mission, the SBTDC leverages significant federal, state, and private funding for its operations and is engaged with a broad range of state agencies, economic and business development resources, and the constituent institutions of the UNC System.
This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement that may include a partially remote work location, consistent with System Office policy. UNC Chapel Hill employees are generally required to reside within a reasonable commuting distance of their assigned duty station.
The Statewide Technology Commercialization Director has oversight management of the SBTDC s Technology Team and programmatically supervises multiple SBTDC staff at distributed SBTDC regional centers across NC. The position will develop annual work plans for the Technology unit and will prepare a quarterly report on performance versus the development plans. Extensive inter-institutional contact with appropriate staff within the 16-campus University System will be expected. The position has responsibility for the development of new products and programs and will facilitate communication and technology transfer initiatives locally, statewide, and nationally. The position will manage and have oversight of existing technology-based student engagement programs and will develop new programs as appropriate. The position will also manage and deploy the existing Investor Ready Entrepreneur program, updating content as appropriate, and will recruit subject matter expertise to facilitate.
The position serves on internal committees and work groups, and is responsible to the State Director for special projects supporting initiatives of the SBTDC and other external organizations.
Significant marketing and outreach will be required, along with instruction/training activities which support the SBTDC s technology development and commercialization objectives. Applied research for various technology reports and publications will be performed.
Primary responsibilities include:
- Providing leadership, supervision, mentoring, and performance management for technology commercialization counselors located throughout the state.
- Delivering one-on-one counseling and strategic guidance to innovation-based companies, entrepreneurs, and university faculty members.
- Planning, developing, and executing statewide educational programs, workshops, webinars, and conferences focused on technology commercialization, entrepreneurial growth, and innovation funding.
- Cultivating sponsorships and external funding sources to support programmatic initiatives and strategic objectives.
- Developing and disseminating educational, promotional, and thought-leadership content through newsletters, social media platforms, websites, and other communication channels.
- Directing a statewide graduate student internship program, including program design, fundraising, university partnerships, student recruitment, client engagement, and program evaluation.
- Building and maintaining strategic relationships with universities, technology transfer offices, innovation centers, MBA programs, research institutions, and entrepreneurial support organizations throughout North Carolina.
- Establishing and maintaining collaborative partnerships with federal, state, regional, and local economic development organizations and innovation ecosystem stakeholders.
- Representing the SBTDC through speaking engagements, networking events, professional conferences, and other public-facing activities throughout the state and nationally.
- Monitoring program performance and outcomes, preparing quarterly and annual reports, and ensuring achievement of annual work plan objectives and contractual deliverables.
- Participating in senior leadership activities and serving as the primary liaison between SBTDC leadership and the Technology Commercialization team.
The Director of Technology Commercialization leads one of SBTDC’s most distinctive and nationally recognized service offerings. This position plays a critical role in strengthening North Carolina’s innovation economy by helping emerging companies secure funding, commercialize research-based technologies, create high-quality jobs, attract investment capital, and bring new products and services to market. The position also serves as a key connector among universities, entrepreneurs, investors, economic development organizations, and public-sector partners, helping to advance innovation-based economic development across the state.
Master’s or Bachelor’s and 0-2 years’ experience; or will accept a combination of related education and experience in substitution.
Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience:* Strong written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking, presentation development, and preparation of reports, marketing materials, and educational content.
* Ability to travel extensively throughout North Carolina and occasionally outside the state.
* Ability to lead, supervise, mentor, and evaluate professional staff in a collaborative and geographically dispersed work environment.
* Ability to establish priorities, delegate responsibilities, and manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
* Commitment to fostering a positive team culture and supporting professional development.
* Working knowledge of technology commercialization processes, startup formation, innovation ecosystems, and research-based entrepreneurship.
* Understanding of federal and state innovation funding programs, including non-dilutive funding opportunities, venture capital, angel investment, and other sources of growth capital.
* Ability to communicate complex technical, financial, and business concepts to diverse audiences.
* Master’s degree in business administration, engineering, science, technology management, entrepreneurship, or a related field.
* Seven or more years of progressively responsible experience in business development, technology commercialization, innovation management, entrepreneurship support, economic development, venture development, technology transfer, or a related field.
* Demonstrated experience advising small businesses, startups, entrepreneurs, or university researchers on business growth, commercialization, funding strategies, or innovation-related topics.
* Experience leading programs, projects, initiatives, or teams with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
* Experience developing and maintaining partnerships with universities, government agencies, economic development organizations, investors, entrepreneurial support organizations, or other innovation ecosystem partners.
* Experience with SBIR/STTR programs, federal research funding, technology transfer, or university commercialization activities.
* Experience securing grants, sponsorships, contracts, or other external funding sources.
* Experience working within a university-based, nonprofit, economic development, or entrepreneurial support organization.
* Experience managing statewide initiatives or multi-institution collaborations.
* Familiarity with North Carolina’s innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic development ecosystem.
Not Applicable.
Special Instructions:In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.
Additionally, this position is only open to United States citizens or lawful permanent residents.
Organization
The nation’s first public university is at the heart of what’s next, preparing a diverse student body to become creators, explorers, innovators and leaders in North Carolina and throughout the world. Carolina’s nationally recognized, innovative teaching, campus-wide spirit of inquiry and dedication to public service continue the legacy that began in 1795 when the University first opened its doors to students.
Here, in one of America's most beautiful college settings, we offer exceptional careers in richly diverse fields. Come explore what UNC-Chapel Hill has to offer you.
Undergraduate Enrollment: 19,117
Graduate/Professional Enrollment: 10,894
Total Student Enrollment: 30,011
Founded: 1789, as the first state university in the United States
Type of Institution: Public, four-year
Undergraduate Admission: 15,961
Graduate/Professional Enrollment: 10,039
Total Student Enrollment: 26,000
Faculty: 3,000
Percentage of faculty who hold Ph.D.s or the highest degrees in their field: 94 percent
Faculty/student ratio: 1/14
Location: UNC is located in the heart of Chapel Hill, the best college town in America! It's a friendly town of about 40,000 in the geographical center of North Carolina. Chapel Hill is at the western point of the Research Triangle, an area of about one million people, comprised of Chapel Hill, the cities of Durham and Raleigh, and the Research Triangle Park, home of many corporate offices and scientific research centers. Carolina is about 30 miles from the state capital, Raleigh, and 20 minutes from Raleigh-Durham International Airport.
Chapel Hill's main street, Franklin Street, borders the campus and offers shops, coffee houses, cafés, movie theaters and houses of worship. The town has a historic district, museum, library, parks, malls, and many recreational facilities.
Origins of Carolina's students: 82 percent of UNC's freshmen are from North Carolina and 18 percent are from out-of-state. Our students come from 42 different states and our international students represent 37 countries.
Size of freshman class: Approximately 3,400
Class size: Barely five percent of undergraduate classes contain more than 100 students; two-thirds of undergraduate classes have fewer than 30 students. Forty-one percent have fewer than 20 students, including First Year Seminars, in which first-year students work closely with professors.
Sports and athletic programs: UNC is an NCAA Division I school with 28 varsity teams. Carolina is the proud home of the Dean Smith Center, Kenan Stadium, Carmichael Auditorium, Koury Natatorium, and many other fine athletic facilities. Students join more than 60 intramural and club sports, which include baseball, bowling, crew, golf, lacrosse, rock climbing, rugby, tae kwon do, and ultimate frisbee. The Student Recreation Center offers weight training, aerobics, stair machines, and all the equipment you would expect to find at a great health club! Carolina offers a newly renovated outdoor pool and indoor pools, a golf course, tennis courts, and the longest zipline in America!
Number of residence halls: Incoming undergraduates will live in one of Carolina's 29 residence halls, which are wired for Internet access and cable television. housing.unc.edu
Scholarships and financial aid: About 40 percent of UNC-Chapel Hill students receive scholarships and/or some form of financial aid. studentaid.unc.edu
Special research institutes: Institute for Research in Social Science, Institute of Outdoor Drama, Morehead Planetarium, Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise, Institute of Government, Institute of African American Research.
Career services: On-campus counseling, job fairs, résumé writing service, internships, placement services. www.unc.edu/depts/career
Technological facilities: Students find multiple uses for Carolina's state-of-the-art technological resources. They can access Carolina's computer services through Academic Technology and Networks, which manages academic computing, e-mail, microcomputing labs, interactive media presentation, video and classroom support, and a help desk. The MetaLab oversees the development of SunSITE, one of the world's busiest digital library and electronic publishing projects.
Students may open e-mail accounts, and many use campus computer resources to construct personal Web pages. Students in residence halls have hardwired network connections to the Internet and cable television in their rooms. At the ATN Training center, students may take classes on software packages and utilities. Computer labs are available for student use all over campus.
Carolina Computing Initiative: Beginning with the freshman class of 2000, undergraduates must purchase laptop computers. The University has arranged for IBM to offer computers at excellent prices. Students, faculty, and staff will enjoy cost savings, higher quality compatible equipment, and better technical support through CCI. www.unc.edu/cci
The Study Abroad program allows students to live and learn in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific Rim, Africa, and the Americas. www.unc.edu/depts/abroad
The Honors Program offers special seminars, research programs, and the chance to design your own independent studies. www.unc.edu/depts/honors
Carolina students spend time in public service through student organizations, the Campus Y, the Carolina Center for Public Service, and courses that incorporate community service.
UNC's chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, a national collegiate honor society, is the oldest in North Carolina, dating from 1904. There are many other honorary societies at Carolina.
UNC offers ROTC programs in all branches of national military service.
Through the First Year Seminars program, first year students will understand what it means to study at a premier research university. They will learn from faculty members and share in their research in seminars of no more than 20 students.
Life outside the classroom: More than 370 clubs, teams, and student organizations offer something for everyone! You can choose from among musical and dramatic performing groups, publications, ethnic and religious clubs, the Campus Y and other service organizations, fraternities and sororities, and pre- professional organizations. Whatever your interests, you will find others at Carolina who share them! www.unc.edu/depts/union/student/listintr.htm
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