Executive Director, Health Research and Innovation Center

Title: Executive Director, Health Research and Innovation Center

Employee Classification: Director, Research Institute

Campus: University of North Texas - Health Science Center

Division: HSC-Div of Rsrch & Innovation

SubDivision-Department: HSC-Div of Rsrch & Innovation

Department: HSC-HSC Next-390040

Job Location: Fort Worth

Salary: Commensurate with Experience

FTE: 1.000000

Retirement Eligibility: TRS Eligible

About Us - Values Overview

Welcome to the University of North Texas System. The UNT System includes the University of North Texas in Denton and Frisco, the University of North Texas at Dallas and UNT Dallas College of Law, and the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth. We are the only university system based exclusively in the robust Dallas-Fort Worth region. We are growing with the North Texas region, employing more than 14,000 employees, educating a record 49,000+ students across our system, and awarding nearly 12,000 degrees each year.   We are one team comprised of individuals who are committed to excellence, curiosity and innovation. We are transforming lives and creating economic opportunity through education. We champion a people-first values-based culture where We Care about each other and those we serve. We believe that we are Better Together because we foster an environment of respect, belonging, and access for all. We demonstrate Courageous Integrity through setting exceptional standards and acting in the best interest of our communities. We are encouraged to Be Curious about opportunities for learning, creating, discovering, and innovating, and are encouraged to learn from failure. Show Your Fire by joining our team and exhibiting your passion and pride in your work as part of our UNT System team.   Learn more about the UNT System and how we live our values at www.UNTSystem.edu.  

Department Summary

The Health Research and Innovation Center (HRIC) is a multidisciplinary hub advancing education, grant development, preclinical and clinical research, and centralized clinical trials to accelerate discovery and improve patient and community health.

Position Overview

UNT Health in Fort Worth seeks a visionary leader to serve as the inaugural Executive Director of the Health Research and Innovation Center (HRIC). The HRIC is a multidisciplinary hub advancing education, grant development, preclinical and clinical research, and centralized clinical trials to accelerate discovery and improve patient and community health. The Executive Director will provide strategic leadership, oversee daily operations, and ensure program alignment with institutional priorities. This leader will cultivate collaboration, build strategic partnerships, and elevate UNT Health’s national profile in translational science and innovation.

Minimum Qualifications

PhD degree and five (5) years of related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated success in building and leading multidisciplinary teams and fostering collaboration across various stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of research compliance, federal and state regulations, grant funding mechanisms, and intellectual property processes.
• Exceptional communication, strategic planning, and organizational skills, with a proven ability to inspire and guide teams toward shared goals.
• Ability to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions.

Job Duties

• Provide strategic leadership and long-term planning for HRIC initiatives, ensuring alignment with UNT Health’s mission and research priorities. 
• Build and strengthen collaborative partnerships across departments, institutions, industry, and community stakeholders.
• Oversee centralized support infrastructure for preclinical studies, clinical trials, and translational science. 
• Identify funding opportunities and guide faculty in developing competitive grant applications. 
• Lead the center’s technology transfer and commercialization activities, including patents, licensing, and startup ventures.
• Develop and expand educational and training programs for students, trainees, faculty, and staff in translational research, regulatory science, entrepreneurship, and clinical trial management. 
• Manage the center’s financial resource