Director of Innovation Contract

Director of Innovation

Required Qualifications (as evidenced by an attached resume):
Master’s degree (foreign equivalent or higher) in a relevant field. Five (5) years of full-time successful management experience in increasingly responsible positions. 1 year of full-time experience overseeing employees/volunteers in an innovation/maker/hacker center. Experience managing personnel in a creative, experimental environment. 1 year of full-time experience in a leadership role, ideally in innovation, product development, research and development, or a related field. Leadership experience in innovation or R&D.

Preferred Qualifications:
The ability to work cross-departmentally and in interdisciplinary environments. Project management experience. Experience in a Higher Education/Academic environment. Experience with scholarship in technology-related issues. Proven experience with fundraising.

Brief Description of Duties:
The Director of Innovation will be responsible for the implementation plan for the overall Libraries’ strategic plan with measurable outcomes to build an ecosystem of technological innovation and entrepreneurship at SBU Libraries, including incremental improvements and breakthrough initiatives. This ecosystem should transform how we support and upgrade existing resources, create new facilities and programs, and engage faculty, staff, students, alumni, and industry partners in value creation.

The role involves identifying emerging trends, developing strategic innovation initiatives, and integrating cutting-edge solutions to maintain a competitive edge, promoting risk-taking and learning from failure. Reporting to the Dean of Libraries, the Director will act as a catalyst for change, bridging the gap between abstract ideas and practical implementation while ensuring alignment with the University’s overarching goals. They will drive growth and efficiency by fostering a continuous flow of innovative concepts and securing support through internal or external fundraising to bring these from ideation to implementation.

Our ideal candidate will facilitate an innovative environment for teaching, scholarship, and service through transparent leadership and a regard for the Libraries’ governance. The University Libraries have just completed a new strategic plan, which can be found on our website. AI and emerging technologies are critical focus areas, and we expect the Director of Innovation to be an active leader. SBU Libraries are an essential partner in Stony Brook University’s mission of global leadership in research, discovery, and learning, serving as a hub for collaboration, digital innovation, open scholarship, and creativity. We provide the best possible access to various resources in multiple formats and world-renowned special collections. We actively contribute to student success and faculty productivity through teaching and research services aligned with the university’s strategic priorities. As the largest academic research library on Long Island, the Libraries serve as a vital resource for regional and global communities.

Experience managing personnel in a creative, experimental environment is crucial for leading and maintaining the day-to-day operations of spaces dedicated to technological and making activities. Leadership experience in innovation or R&D is essential for driving strategic initiatives, guiding teams, and turning ideas into impactful projects. Collaboration across disciplines is key to fostering an innovation ecosystem that leverages diverse expertise within the university. Project management experience skills ensure the successful execution of complex initiatives within set timelines and budgets. Familiarity with academic environments helps align innovation strategies with the university’s educational and research missions. Understanding ethical technology ensures that advancements align with societal standards and positively impact the community. Scholarship in technology-related issues provides credibility and ensures the candidate contributes to the academic discourse. Versatility in technologies and interdisciplinary engagement are crucial for serving our varied stakeholders in research, teaching, and learning. Proven fundraising abilities are essential for securing resources to support and expand the Libraries’ innovative initiatives.

The University Libraries play a crucial role in advancing the University’s commitment to furthering diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) in our spaces, collections, services, and outreach. We are committed to DEIA values in our hiring, training, and daily work practices, where differences are acknowledged, respected, and celebrated. We welcome candidates who genuinely embrace the empathy, courage, self-reflection, and intentionality of a diverse and inclusive workplace to apply. Duties include:

• Management, Operations:
  • Regularly update a new FabLab/Hackerspace/Makerspace and other labs as needed within the Library while minimizing overlaps with other facilities.
  • Manage and market the services of the University Libraries’ technology/learning labs, including overseeing staff, student workers, and volunteers.
  • Mentor staff to build a strong, cross-functional team.
  • Work with faculty and staff to develop workshops and courses that use the Libraries’ resources.
  • Promote and advertise these opportunities campus-wide to students and faculty.
• Innovation, Development, and Fundraising:
  • Explore new opportunities, such as AI, rapid prototyping, and other technologies.
  • Identify unexplored innovation opportunities across research and teaching.
  • Seek external funds from individuals, foundations, and agencies to expand opportunities.
• Collaboration, Networking and Outreach:
  • Collaborate with other departments and centers to foster a culture of inclusive innovation on campus.
  • Organize and host events that showcase and celebrate student, faculty, and staff projects.
  • Facilitate a collaborative environment among university entrepreneurship and innovation programs to ensure efforts are complementary and avoid duplication.
  • Build and enable connections across the SUNY system and a national network/ecosystem that translates Stony Brook’s academic and research output into real-world economic and social impact.
  • Create and leverage partnerships with external organizations and individuals to increase the reach, scope, and number of business connections to the Stony Brook community.
• Other duties or projects as assigned as appropriate to rank and department mission.

Special Notes:
This is a full-time appointment. FLSA Exempt position, not eligible for the overtime provisions of the FLSA. Minimum salary threshold must be met to maintain FLSA exemption.

For this position, we are unable to sponsor candidates for work visas.

In addition to the employee’s base salary, this position is eligible for $3,400 UUP annual location pay, paid biweekly.

Resume/CV and cover letter should be included with the online application.

Stony Brook University is committed to excellence in diversity and the creation of an inclusive learning and working environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status and all other protected classes under federal or state laws.

If you need a disability-related accommodation, please call the university Office of Equity and Access (OEA) at or visit OEA.

In accordance with the Title II Crime Awareness and Security Act a copy of our crime statistics can be viewed here.

Visit our WHY WORK HERE page to learn about the total rewards we offer.

Salary: $120,000 – $130,000

To apply, visit https://stonybrooku.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl?job=2404078&tz=GMT%2B00%3A00&tzname=UTC

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