Senior Director, Accelerators and Investments

Department

SING Polsky Operations - Administration

About the Department

The Polsky Center advances innovative ideas and technologies from the University of Chicago ecosystem to the world. Through education, resources, and programs, the Polsky Center commercializes discoveries, partners with companies, and attracts venture capital. The Polsky Center runs a top-ranked business accelerator, the Edward L. Kaplan, ’71, New Venture Challenge; operates a multi-disciplinary co-working space called the Polsky Exchange; and manages the George Shultz Innovation Fund that invests in early-stage ventures. Finally, the Polsky Center houses the University of Chicago’s technology transfer unit, which manages all University-based intellectual property originating from faculty research and discoveries that can be licensed to industry partners and investors.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Technology Ventures, with a secondary reporting line to the Associate Vice President and Managing Director of Polsky, the Senior Director of Accelerators and Investments will lead the Polsky Center’s Accelerators and Investments team. In this role, the Senior Director will set and execute upon strategies to drive the success of Polsky’s accelerators and investment programs, in addition to serving as a critical liaison to build and expand relationships across the innovation ecosystem.

This role manages multiple related teams of managers and professional staff responsible for the development and implementation of University objectives and long-range and strategic plans. Achieves the financial objectives of their department. Identifies new external partners to advance strategic priorities. Communicates and collaborates with internal and external community members and leadership to achieve strategic priorities.

Responsibilities

• Provides leadership and management for a team of 3 direct reports.
• Oversees the Polsky Center’s accelerator programs, which currently include Duality (quantum), Resurgence (cleantech), and Transform (data science and AI); this includes setting and executing upon strategy for branding, recruitment, selection, programming, external partnerships, accelerator alumni engagement, data tracking, participant success, and more.
• Sets and executes upon the overall University of Chicago strategy for its accelerators, including the design and launch of new accelerator offerings such as in the life sciences space.
• Oversees the Polsky Center’s investment programs, such as the George Shulz Innovation Fund, which includes overseeing program management, data collection and tracking, and ongoing strategy and program design.
• Liaise with other investment funds associated with the University, including ongoing coordination and relationship building to support strategic alignment.
• Sets and executes upon strategic priorities and goals for the Accelerators and Investments team, in collaboration with the Assistant Vice President, Associate Vice President and other Polsky leadership.
• Builds out new strategic capabilities and programs, and strengthens processes and procedures as needed to meet priorities.
• Manages the budget for the Accelerators and Investments team, in conjunction with the Assistant Vice President of Technology Ventures and other leadership.
• Collaborates across the Technology Ventures team as well as across the Polsky Center.
• Builds relationships with faculty members across the University engaged in the areas of accelerator focus.
• Identifies and engages external partners to advance Polsky’s mission and the goals of the accelerator and investments programs.
• Establishes and cultivates strong relationships with Polsky Center colleagues and University colleagues to advance Polsky’s mission.
• Acts as thought leader internally and externally, in particular on the accelerator focus areas, venture acceleration, and investments.
• Manages and is accountable for financial objectives of the department.
• Identifies new external partners to advance strategic priorities. Ensures the communication and collaboration with internal and external community members and leadership to achieve strategic priorities.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Advanced degree in life sciences, medicine, chemistry, materials science, physics, computer science, eng