Open Position: Director of Technology Entrepreneurship

Starting Salary: $50,000 +

Benefits: Annual Leave, Sick Leave, 10 Holidays, Health Insurance and Florida Retirement System, and Cell Phone Allowance. Additional Employee Paid Benefits.

Position Summary: The Director of Technology Entrepreneurship is responsible for working with North Florida Innovation Labs technology entrepreneurs. This position will also support technology entrepreneurs identified in outlying counties. The individual chosen for this position must be a detail-oriented, resourceful, flexible, adaptable, self-starter with excellent communication, team-building, and coaching skills needed to support technology entrepreneurs and their respective business launches. The position requires knowledge of business formation principles, primary funding sources for business ventures, and an awareness of the stages of technology business development and how this impacts start-up funding. This position reports to the Director of North Florida Innovation Labs.

Duties and Responsibilities include but not limited to:

  1. Work with research faculty and technology entrepreneurs to form and launch technology related businesses. Regularly interact with researchers and entrepreneurs to understand when they will be ready for the next phase of resources, including SBIR/STTR training, mentors, patent assistance, etc.
  2. Offer resources essential to technology entrepreneurs including:
    • Business plan assistance, patent application support, business formation requirements,
    • Identify mentors aligned with the specific technology sector as well as expanded coaching opportunity including the use of NFIL resources.
    • Identify startup capital funding opportunities.
    • Track the type of resource required by technology entrepreneurs for reporting purposes.
  3. Using the e-learning platform and other resources:
    • Support the funding and launch of new technology businesses.
    • Provide training on Federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) grant funding. Guide cohorts of technology entrepreneurs through the SBIR/STTR process. Monitor SBIR/STTR submission deadlines within their technology/agency sector. Arrange pre-submission expert reviews.
    • Offer one-on-one assistance as needed.
  4. Develop relations with emerging startups in the outlying counties to help them create technology intensive businesses.
  5. Compile metrics to gather data required by various funding authorities.
  6. Other duties as assigned.

Experience Requirements: A minimum of two years of experience working in a collaborative role with business owners. Knowledge and understanding of business acceleration principles along with the ability to match business start-up funding to business venture funding opportunities. Grant writing, particularly those associated with small business ventures (e.g., Small Business Innovation Research grants), is useful. Experience translating laboratory products and findings to viable business ventures is a plus.

Educational Requirements: A bachelor’s degree in business administration, entrepreneurship, agribusiness, science and technology or a related field is preferred. Non-related degrees may be substituted with prior experience in entrepreneurship, technology ventures, and broader scale economic development efforts.

Other Requisite Skills and Knowledge: Successful applicants must demonstrate strong written, verbal, and presentation skills. Essential skills include advanced Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook in an Office 365 environment. Experience working with an e-learning software system preferred.

The Leon County Research and Development Authority (LCRDA), a Florida special district, operates the research park Innovation Park and the North Florida Innovation Labs (NFIL), in Tallahassee, Florida. The mission of LCRDA is to work in collaboration with local government, Florida State University, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee Community College, and community partners to foster the startup, growth and attraction of private companies that create high wage jobs in Leon County Florida, and to contribute to our region’s innovation ecosystem. NFIL will support the development and operation of a unique $24 million hard-science technology business incubator, projected to open in early 2024. This position will be dedicated to the support of NFIL operations.

How to apply:

  • Complete and submit the LCRDA job application which can be downloaded HERE
  • Email your resume and cover letter to AMarkos@inn-park.com.

Note:

Resumes and cover letters submitted without an application will NOT be considered! If selected for interviews, samples or previous work will be required. Emailed applications are preferred. The position will remain open until filled.