President, Information and Computing Sciences

Overview:

We have an immediate opportunity for a President of our Information and Computing Sciences Division, one of the five research divisions of SRI. This President reports to the Chief Executive Officer of SRI International and is part of SRI's executive management team. This position will be based out of our Menlo Park, CA, Headquarters and will have overall responsibilities for a multidisciplinary team of over 150 employees in artificial intelligence and computing.

An independent non-profit research institute headquartered in Silicon Valley, SRI is a global leader in research and development. We collaborate across technical and scientific disciplines to create a safer, healthier, and more sustainable future, blazing new trails every day in quantum, robotics, AI, human machine collaboration, precision medicine, education, sustainability, and much more. For more than 75 years, SRI has had a profound impact on every one of our lives through the discovery and development of groundbreaking technologies and products and by bringing many of the world's most extraordinary innovations and ideas to the marketplace. Our rich heritage includes the groundbreaking accomplishments from both the Sarnoff Research Center in Princeton, NJ, which became a part of SRI in 1987 and more recently, the iconic Palo Alto Research Center (PARC), which we acquired in April 2023.

At SRI, we have the opportunity - and responsibility - to impact the world through our research and by bringing our discoveries into the world.

DIVISION DESCRIPTION:

Shaping the future of computing to benefit society

SRI Information and Computing Sciences (ICS) is taking on some of the world's most important challenges, creating leading-edge technology solutions that have revolutionary impact. ICS researchers are redefining the way human beings interact with machines, and with one another through machines, as we define what's next in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computing. SRI has pioneered transformative machine vision innovations and explored the frontiers of virtual and augmented reality. Our fundamental work in speech assesses speaker characteristics like identity and level of engagement, and our research in understanding the nuances of conversation enables deeper spoken interaction. The division's research brings commercial, government, corporate, and startup customers depth of knowledge and new solutions in privacy, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and reliable system design.

To learn more about our work, visit the following sites:

Artificial intelligence

Computer vision

Cyber and formal methods

Speech and natural language

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

In this position, the President will provide the overall executive management and strategic direction for the division, and guide its financial success through the establishment of short and long-range strategies, plans, and objectives – and through the management attention required to ensure their achievement.

The division consists of a team of about 150 employees (55% with Ph.Ds., 85% with advanced degrees) across two primary sites: Menlo Park, CA and Princeton, NJ. The division generates about $80-100M in annual revenues, and approximately 80% of SRI's licensing and ventures monetization has historically resulted from the innovative work in ICS.

Responsibilities:

Vision and strategy

• Chart the course for future research in our rapidly changing times.
• Develop mid- to long-term plans for sustained growth.
• Leverage the breadth of SRI capabilities to create and execute a strategy for innovation and growth that is aligned with SRI's overall strategy.
• Build partnerships with academic and industrial organizations in SRI's innovation ecosystem.

Financial performance

• Oversee all operational aspects of the division to support growth, balanced with efficiency, in order to meet or exceed financial performance goals for the division.
• Establish short- and long-range organizational objectives, plans and budgets, ensuring management accountability for achieving these objectives.
• Manage the direction and growth of existing programs and participate in the creation of new ones. Identify areas in which new programs should be developed, prioritize investments, and promote business development to win new work in those areas.
• Build and maintain strategic customer and partner relationships to foster growth.

Leadership

• Work with CEO and executive team on setting strategic direction, guidance and company-wide policies, and lead division in adoption.
• As a member of SRI's Executive Leadership Team, assist in allocation and oversight of internal research and development resources.
• Partner closely with SRI's Commercialization group to evaluate venture and licensing opportunities and identify Entrepreneurs in Residence as possible spinout CEOs.
• Serve as a member of SRI's Commercialization Board.
• Nurture a culture of collaboration and communication both within the Division and across SRI.
• Develop, manage, and mentor a strong and well-integrated divisional senior leadership team and grow the next generation of ICS leaders.
• Maintain oversight responsibility for recruiting and developing a strong senior technical team and providing development opportunities for early career researchers.

Public Engagement

• Be an effective spokesperson for ICS and SRI overall.
• Serve as an industry expert and thought leader in external events and media opportunities.
• Represent SRI in the external technical community through involvement in leading professional societies and industry/trade organizations.

Qualifications:

REQUIRED:

• Successful track record in inspiring and leading research and development organizations.
• 15 years of experience in R&D focused on leading edge computer science along with knowledge of and experience in obtaining research funding.
• Demonstrated record of accomplishment of applying scientific knowledge to design and executing a successful research strategy.
• Evidence of scientific excellence and recognition in the field.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.

HIGHLY DESIRABLE:

• Ph.D. in Computer Science or a related field.
• The ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

The base salary range is: $368,400-$560,200 and is based on several factors, including geographic location, market competitiveness and equity amongst internal employees in similar roles. This positions also qualifies for SRI's Performance Based Compensation program. SRI also has a competitive benefits package, to view details please go to SRI will accept applications until the position is filled.