MTRAC Advanced Computing Hub Commercialization Program Director, Division of Research, Part-Time

The MTRAC Advanced Computing Hub Commercialization Program Director is a part-time position that provides strategic and operational leadership for the Michigan Translational Research and Commercialization (MTRAC) Program at Wayne State University. The position is responsible for administering the statewide innovation hub, managing the funding and commercialization pipeline, cultivating partnerships across Michigan's research and entrepreneurial ecosystem, and accelerating the translation of advanced computing technologies from university laboratories into startup companies, licensed technologies, and market ready products. The Program Director serves as a liaison among faculty innovators, investors, industry partners, mentors, oversight committee members, and state funding agencies while ensuring achievement of programmatic, financial, and economic development objectives. This position reports to the Assistant Vice President, Technology Commercialization.

Essential Functions:

Program Leadership & Strategic Management

Lead the overall strategy, implementation, and continuous improvement of the MTRAC Innovation Hub.

Develop annual operating plans, funding cycles, timelines, performance metrics, and commercialization objectives.

Ensure alignment of program activities with Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), MTRAC, and university priorities.

Monitor program outcomes and implement strategies to maximize startup creation, licensing, follow-on funding, and economic impact.

Provide leadership to project teams, researchers, mentors, and commercialization stakeholders.

Commercialization & Portfolio Development

Advise faculty, researchers, and project teams on commercialization strategies, market validation, customer discovery, startup formation, licensing, and funding pathways.

Assist project teams in developing commercialization plans, milestone-driven project roadmaps, and investor-ready materials.

Monitor project progress, evaluate milestone achievement, and recommend funding decisions.

Identify commercialization barriers and connect teams with appropriate resources and subject matter experts.

Facilitate access to translational research funding, risk assessment services, and entrepreneurial support programs.

Ecosystem Development, Partnerships & Investor Engagement

Develop and maintain relationships with venture capital firms, angel investors, industry partners, accelerators, SmartZones, economic development organizations, and statewide innovation programs.

Recruit and manage mentors, coaches, oversight committee members, and external advisors.

Facilitate strategic introductions and networking opportunities for awardees.

Represent the Wayne State University MTRAC program at conferences, industry events, investor meetings, and ecosystem gatherings throughout Michigan and nationally.

Expand statewide participation and collaboration among universities, research institutions, and commercialization organizations.

Proposal Management & Oversight Committee Administration

Develop and administer funding solicitations, proposal review processes, and project selection activities.

Coordinate Letters of Intent, full proposal submissions, oral presentations, and award recommendations.

Organize and facilitate Oversight Committee meetings and project reviews.

Prepare project evaluations, funding recommendations, and progress reports for stakeholders.

Ensure transparency, consistency, and compliance throughout the award review and selection process.

Reporting, Compliance & Financial Oversight

Ensure compliance with all program requirements, funding agreements, university policies, and sponsor expectations.

Oversee collection and reporting of economic impact metrics, including startups, licenses, jobs created, follow-on funding, and commercialization outcomes.

Work collaboratively with administrative staff to monitor budgets, expenditures, matching funds, reimbursements, and project accounting.

Prepare periodic reports, presentations, and performance updates for MEDC, the Technology Commercialization team, university leadership, and other stakeholders.

Support audits, program reviews, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Perform other related duties as assigned.