Senior Director, Kentucky DIU OnRamp Hub

Department:

Research Development & Strategic Initiatives

Location:

Non-Campus Other

Time Type:

Full time

Worker Type:

Regular

Job Req ID:

R107467

Minimum Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in a related field and eight (8) years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Grade 16 (salaried)

Position Description:

The University of Louisville is seeking to hire a Senior Director, Kentucky DIU OnRamp Hub. The OnRamp Hub Managing Director will serve as the strategic leader and primary point of contact for the Kentucky OnRamp Hub, overseeing all operations, stakeholder engagement, and alignment with DIU’s mission. This role will ensure the Hub functions as a dynamic “open front door” for commercial and dual-use technology companies, academia, and DoD partners, driving measurable outcomes in technology transition and ecosystem development. The ideal candidate is a visionary leader with deep expertise in defense innovation, capable of building bridges between government, industry, and academia to advance DIU 3.0 priorities.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership:

• Develop and execute the Hub’s strategic plan, aligning activities with DIU 3.0 priorities (synchronizing warfighter needs, lowering barriers, catalyzing ecosystems).

• Ensure the Hub meets key performance metrics, such as participant success rates and DoD contract wins.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Build and maintain relationships with DoD entities (e.g., Fort Knox, U.S. Army Human Resources Command), defense contractors (e.g., Raytheon, SAMTEC, CEPEDA), and regional innovators.

• Represent the Hub at DIU events and national conferences.

Program Oversight:

• Supervise all Hub activities, including outreach, programming, transition services, and ecosystem building.

• Coordinate with DIU and the Applied Research Institute (ARI) to ensure compliance with reporting requirements (e.g., weekly SITREPs, monthly programmatic reports). 

• Manage Grant compliance.

Resource Management:

• Manage the Hub’s budget, personnel, and facilities, ensuring efficient use of resources. Oversee the integration of enhancements, such as UofL’s planned Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF).

Brand Advocacy:

• Ensure consistent DIU branding across all Hub activities, communications, and physical spaces, reinforcing the Hub’s identity as a DoD extension.

Strategic Impact Projects:

• Identify and secure additional funding streams, grants and contracts, to expand programs and opportunities.

Preferred Qualifications:

Education: Advanced degree (PhD or Master’s) in engineering, business, or a related field.

Experience:

• 10+ years of experience in technology commercialization, defense innovation, or defense systems acquisition.

• Proven leadership in managing multi-stakeholder initiatives, preferably within DoD or the defense industry.

• Strong understanding of DIU priority areas (AI, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, energy, human systems) and DoD acquisition processes.

Skills:

• Strong strategic planning and organizational leadership abilities.

• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders at all levels.

• Experience in budget management, program reporting, and metrics-driven performance evaluation.

• Familiarity with Kentucky’s innovation ecosystem and regional defense assets.

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment while maintaining compliance with DoD standards.

Eligibility: Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

This is a grant funded position with funding through August 18, 2027. Continued employment contingent on grant renewals. 

Compensation will be commensurate to candidate experience.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Louisville is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. The University strives to provide equal employment opportunity on the basis of merit and without unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, sex, age, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, veteran status, marital status, or pregnancy. In accordance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Vietnam Era Veteran Readjustment Act of 1974, the University prohibits job discrimi