Position Summary

The Executive Director leads the Institute charged to create and sustain an innovation engine at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy. The Executive Director will lead the Institute team in the effort to make the Eshelman Institute for Innovation (EII) a premier institution nationally and internationally where ideas are seeded, nurtured, and translated into transformative societal outcomes through innovation in pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences education, research, and health care.

The Executive Director will be responsible to manage and grow the assets of EII in the form of reputation, revenue, intellectual property, projects and programs with embedded intellectual property and knowhow. The Executive Director will work to develop and foster strategic collaborations and partnerships, attract gifts and investments, and monetize intellectual property assets to sustain the Institute.

The Executive Director will oversee the Institute staff, operations including budget/finance, and the existing programs (e.g. funding innovative ideas, manage the EII-funded large programs, etc.), as well as the creation of new programs.

The Executive Director will be responsible for excellent internal and external communication of the activities and impact of the Institute, and for creating and sustaining a strong brand. By aligning the mission and goals of the Institute with those of the School and the University, the Executive Director will enable the Institute to positively impact the School and University through the development of a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.

The Executive Director will critically evaluate and refine the Institute strategy periodically with the input and advice of the EII Steering Board. The Director will work closely with the Steering Board and develop/manage a process by which new Board members will be added and current members will be rotated out. The position reports to the Dean of the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree required (or foreign degree equivalent) with three years or greater of related professional experience; for candidates demonstrating comparable professional backgrounds, will accept a relevant Bachelor’s degree (or foreign degree equivalent) and five years or greater of relevant experience in substitution.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

• Master’s in professional degree required, with a minimum of 10-15 years experience
• Strategic Planning and Implementation experience required

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

• PhD preferred
• Ability to work effectively across complex organizations
• Knowledge of academic policies and processes preferred
• Demonstrated leadership skills including the ability to work cross-functionally, manage crisis, and align interests of multiple parties
• Demonstrated strong written and verbal communication, negotiation, and presentation skills
• Experience in Business Development and Client Relationship Management
• Experience engaging with corporate partners, high level donors and senior management in corporations, building strategic partnerships and alliances