Hub Partner Manager

The USC Viterbi School of Engineering is recognized for creating new and innovative models of technology entrepreneurship and commercialization that are firmly rooted in real world needs. The mission of the Viterbi School's Office of Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OTIE) is to (1) educate engineers on strategies to invent, develop, integrate, and sustain technologies that address significant needs; (2) launch ventures with meaningful social and economic impact based on USC faculty, staff, students, and technologies; and (3) promote an ethical and inclusive technology innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

OTIE is seeking a Program Manager who will report to the Vice Dean for Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship and lead USC's activities within the I-Corps West Hub. I-Corps is a National Science Foundation program designed to foster, grow and nurture innovation ecosystems regionally and nationally. USC is the lead university in the I-Corps West Hub and a member of the larger National Innovation Network.

The Program Manager will be responsible for recruitment of university inventors into the I-Corps training program, creating a steady and sustainable pipeline. Another major function is to manage I-Corps related activities at USC and the university's I-Corps outreach partners. The Program Manager will work with the OTIE team, Hub team members, and other schools and units at USC. The responsibility may extend to working with additional external partners in order to achieve the grant deliverables and strategic goals of the I-Corps program. This individual should have a keen interest in working towards enabling the commercialization of research outcomes towards achieving societal impact. The Program Manager will also receive training to become certified as an I-Corps instructor. Currently, USC's I-Corps outreach partners include the California Institute of Technology and University of New Mexico.

Job Responsibilities:

Recruitment Recruit university inventors (faculty, researchers, and Ph.D. students) into I-Corps Hub programming for USC and USC's outreach partners Develop and implement an annual recruitment plan Conduct informational sessions Be the primary contact for individuals interested in I-Corps Track recruitment efforts and provide monthly reports to Hub leadership on recruitment outcomes Ensure that recruitment efforts are in line with meeting goals and deliverables Collaborate with USC's technology transfer office to obtain referrals for recruitment Represent the I-Corps Hub at internal and external conferences or networking events Relationship Management and Collaboration Collaborate with OTIE and I-Corps Hub leadership to meet goals and deliverables Actively participate in OTIE and I-Corps Hub meetings and working groups to strengthen collaboration and outcomes Develop and maintain collaborative working relationships with OTIE and I-Corps Hub partners including university and external partners involved in the innovation ecosystem Promote OTIE and I-Corps Hub to increase program awareness Instruction Become certified as a regional instructor Work with the Lead Instructor to design and deliver regional cohorts as needed Assist with the recruitment and training of regional instructors Technology Commercialization Support Assist teams in identifying resources needed to advance or develop their idea or technology, including educational, mentorship, and funding sources Additional Information:Fixed-Term Employment: This position is full-time with an initial one year fixed-term. Employees hired under a fixed-term agreement acknowledge that the university may change the expected end date at any time by providing a one (1) month written notification. Your employment may also end for other reasons consistent with university policy. According to university policy, no severance benefits are paid to employees hired under a fixed term agreement. When you leave, your final paycheck will include pay for days worked, and for accrued and unused vacation. The university does not pay for accrued and unused sick days upon termination. ­ Job Modality: This is hybrid position. The Program Coordinator will be expected to work onsite for 1-2 days per week. This position is not eligible for fully remote work.Salary Range: The salary range for this position is $94, $103, When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope of responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.Preferred Qualifications: The Program Manager person must have excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills. Previous experience communicating and working with university inventors, including faculty, research staff, and students, is required. Such experience can include graduate research. Knowledge and experience in technology entrepreneurship is desired, such as work experience at an incubator or at a startup company in some capacity. Prior experience with National Science Foundation or other federal I-Corps programs and working with intellectual property is helpful but not strictly required. The position requires a high level of professionalism with high ethical standards. Candidate is ideally a self-starter who embraces navigating ambiguous environments. Fluency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and Google Suite is preferred. Ph.D. Degree preferably in science, engineering, or related discipline with knowledge of working in a research intensive environment. USC and the Viterbi School: The University of Southern California (USC), founded in 1880, is in the heart of downtown L.A. and is the largest private employer in the City of Los Angeles. As an employee of USC, you will be a part of a world-class research university and a member of the "Trojan Family," which is comprised of the faculty, students, and staff that make the university what it is. Founded in 1905, the USC Viterbi School of Engineering is named for Andrew Viterbi who developed an algorithm to connect the world's citizens. Similarly, the school, located in Los Angeles, a global center for arts, technology and international business in the heart of the Pacific Rim, is a hub for entrepreneurship that connects students from 64 countries. USC Viterbi is a pioneer in restoring sight to the blind; restoring memory to sufferers of Alzheimer's; and socially assistive robots to aid seniors with stroke or children with autism. It is the home of the first operational quantum computing center in academia. Our alumni include Neil Armstrong, first human on the moon; A.C. Mike Markkula, co-founder of Apple; and Wanda Austin, former CEO of the Aerospace Corporation. The USC Viterbi School is consistently ranked among the top graduate programs (U.S. News and World Report). Under the leadership of Dean Yannis C. Yortsos, the school helped re-imagine the 21st century engineer, pioneering the Grand Challenge Scholars Program in schools across the globe. Our mission is to serve California, the nation and the world. At USC Viterbi, we call this the enabling power of Engineering+.
Minimum Education: Master's degree, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 5 years, Combined education/experience as substitute for minimum experience Minimum Field of Expertise: Directly related education and project administration experience in specialized field represented by project