Assistant Director, Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Online applications must be received before 11:59pm on: December 9, 2026 If a date is not listed above, review the Applicant Instructions below for more details. Available Title(s): 1157-NN_ADMINPRO - Assistant Director Business Title: Assistant Director, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Employee Type: Admin. Professional Position Details: The Opportunity: The Office of Research at Washington State University (WSU) is responsible for advancing the research enterprise at WSU systemwide. The Office of Research facilitates all aspects of the research from pre-award to compliance, advancement, development, and commercialization. The Office of Research amplifies WSU's land-grant mission by partnering with the university community, industry leaders, and other stakeholders to advance, extend, and grow the positive impact of WSU research for the state, region, and nation. The Assistant Director , Innovation & Entrepreneurship is a full-time, 12-month position within the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Team in the Office of Research. The position provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for technology commercialization, intellectual property management, entrepreneurship support, industry engagement, and research translation activities across the Washington State University system.  Consistent with WSU’s commitment to the President’s vision for system-wide integration, the Assistant Director works collaboratively with colleges, campuses, research centers, and external partners to connect discovery, innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic impact across the university.  Reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Innovation & Entrepreneurship, this position is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing activities related to technology management, intellectual property strategy, licensing, startup creation, industry-sponsored research development, translational funding initiatives, and innovation ecosystem partnerships.  The Assistant Director directly supervises technology commercialization personnel and serves as a senior leader responsible for advancing research translation, innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic impact across the WSU system through integrated engagement with academic, industry, government, and community partners. Percentage Breakdown of Job Functions: 35% - Administration, Personnel, & Supervision 30% - Direct Intellectual Property Management, Technology Commercialization, Industry Partnerships, & Sponsored Research 10% - Outreach & Education 10% - Budget Management 10% - Strategic Planning 5% - Other Additional Information: This is a full time ( 100% FTE), permanent position. This position is overtime exempt. Monthly Salary: $7,541.56 - $11,666.67 | Commensurate with experience and qualifications In accordance with RCW 49.58.110 , the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position. Benefits: WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts; training and development; and employee tuition waiver. For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for AP staff and Total Compensation . Required Qualifications: Positions require a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and four (4) years of progressively responsible relevant experience, which has included at least one (1) year of managerial experience. A Master’s degree in a related field may be substituted for up to one (1) year of the required experience. Any combination of relevant education and professional experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year‐for‐year basis. Education and experience can be tailored to fit the specific organizational entity/directorial assignment. Positions may require applicable licensure and/or certification. Demonstrated effective interpersonal, written and oral communication skills. Demonstrated computer software skills, including the ability to use Microsoft Office programs, such as: Outlook, Word, Excel, and Access. Demonstrated experience interpreting and applying laws, rules, policies and procedures. Preferred Qualifications: An advanced degree (PhD, MBA, JD, MS, or equivalent) in business, engineering or science. Experience in marketing, sales, licensing, negotiating and/or business development, and significant record of successful technology transfer in areas of physical sciences, life sciences, engineering, software, devices, and advanced technology sectors. An additional two (2) years experience working with intellectual property administration or technology transfer. Experience which demonstrates knowledge of policies and procedures relating to intellectual properties within a research university setting. Knowledge of intellectual property strategy, patent prosecution, licensing, university-industry collaboration, and entrepreneurship ecosystems. Experience which demonstrates knowledge of current trends in university/industry technology transfer. Demonstrated success in licensing, startup formation, venture development, industry partnerships, or research translation. Experience managing technology commercialization and innovation programs within a research university. Experience in strategic planning, formulation, design, implementation and tracking. Experience leading innovation ecosystem initiatives or entrepreneurship programs. Experience building industry, investor, and community partnerships. Experience in translational research funding programs. Experience operating in multi-campus or distributed organizations. Demonstrated experience adv