Director, Innevation Center

University of Nevada, Reno

The University of Nevada, Reno seeks a dynamic and strategic leader to serve as Director of the Innevation Center, the University's downtown hub where entrepreneurs, researchers, and industry partners converge to drive innovation, commercialization, and economic growth across Northern Nevada. Now entering its second decade, the Innevation Center has established itself as a catalyst for startups, industry-university collaboration, and regional economic development.

The Director will provide both visionary and operational leadership by setting and executing the Center's strategic direction, overseeing budgets, operations, and staff, and designing high-impact programming such as accelerator initiatives, startup showcases, and industry-university partnerships. A key part of this role is building and maintaining strong relationships with entrepreneurs, faculty, funders, and regional partners including EDAWN, NCAR, and the Nevada SBDC. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Enterprise & Innovation, the Director will also serve as the primary University liaison to external stakeholders and work to align the Center's activities with university-wide innovation and commercialization priorities.

This position is ideal for a strategic builder with demonstrated success in innovation ecosystems, entrepreneurship support, and organizational leadership, and offers the opportunity to shape the future of Northern Nevada's innovation economy in one of the nation's fastest-growing regions.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree and five (5) years of related professional experience OR

Master's Degree and three (3) years of professional related experience

Related Experience : Business operations, economic development, nonprofit leadership, start-up ecosystem involvement, or innovation center management

Schedule or Travel Requirements

Variable hours

Occasional Travel

Requires substantive time out of the office

Compensation Grade

Administrative Faculty C

To view the salary schedule for this position, please visit : Salary Schedules and select Administrative Faculty by Grade. Salary is competitive and commensurate with related education and experience.

Remarkable Retirement!

Our retirement plan is beyond compare. Your 19.25% contribution is generously matched by the University. With the faculty retirement plan, you are 100% vested your first day. Sit back and watch your retirement dollars grow! All permanent employees on an annual "A" or "B" contract who are employed at least 50% full-time are eligible to participate in the NSHE retirement program unless they are members of PERS of Nevada.

Perks of Working at UNR!

• Health insurance options including dental and vision
• Generous annual and sick leave, life insurance
• E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center offers an annual or semester memberships and spouse / domestic partner membership options
• Reno is proud to be a University town! Many local businesses offer discounts to WolfCard holders.
• Mountain EAP supports employees (and eligible dependents) through life's difficult moments. Mountain EAP is located in Reno and specializes in counseling and advising services for personal or interpersonal issues.
• Faculty Senate is the principal representing body for faculty. Its membership includes representatives from each academic and administrative major unit of the University.
• No state income tax!

Grants-in-Aid for Faculty Employees

The University is proud to provide a reduced-rate tuition benefit to faculty and qualified dependents. Faculty can take up to six credits per semester at a reduced rate. Dependents of faculty have unlimited credits but, in order to be eligible, children must be unmarried and under the age of 24 and must receive at least 50% of their financial support from the employee and / or employee's spouse or domestic partner.

Faculty Dual Career Assistance Program

The University of Nevada, Reno recognizes the importance of addressing dual-career couples' professional needs. We offer a dual career assistance program to newly hired faculty spouses / partners that provides resources and assists them to identify career opportunities in Northern Nevada.

Department Information

The University of Nevada, Reno Innevation Center is a hub for entrepreneurship, technology, and creative collaboration. It provides co-working space, makerspace equipment, and access to labs that support startups, small businesses, and university innovators. Members benefit from programs such as Manufacture Nevada, K-12 robotics initiatives, and student Makerthons that connect education with real-world problem solving. The center also hosts more than 60 organizations, fostering networking, mentorship, and community engagement. By linking students, faculty, and community entrepreneurs, it accelerates the development of new ideas and supports the growth of Nevada's innovation-driven economy.

Posting Close Date : This posting is open until filled

Qualified individuals are encouraged to apply immediately. This search will close without notice when a sufficient number of applications are received or a hiring decision has been made.

Please attach the following documents to your application :

1) Resume / CV

2) Cover Letter

3) Contact information for three professional references

Note to Applicant

A background check will be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire.

HR will attempt to verify academic credentials upon receipt of hiring documents. If the academic credentials cannot be verified, HR will notify the faculty member that an official transcript of their highest degree must be submitted within thirty days of the faculty member's first day of employment.

References will be contacted at the appropriate phase of the recruitment process.

Applicants hired on a federal contract may be subject to E-Verify.

As part of the hiring process, applicants for positions in the Nevada System of Higher Education may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform job-related tasks.

For positions that require driving, evidence of a valid driver's license will be required at the time of employment and as a condition of continued employment.

Schedules are subject to change based on organizational needs.

The University of Nevada, Reno is committed to providing a place of work and learning free of discrimination on the basis of a person's age, disability, gender, military status or obligations, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, race, color, or religion.