Vice President of Commercialization

LOCATION: VIRGINIA – Virginia – Central VA Preferred

SUMMARY

Are you a strategic, mission-driven leader passionate about turning breakthrough research into real-world impact? The Vice President of Commercialization at VIPC is a high-profile, executive-level opportunity to shape the future of innovation in Virginia and beyond.

As a member of VIPC's executive leadership team, the VP will lead the Commercialization Division, driving statewide strategy, operational excellence, and program execution to advance the commercialization of cutting-edge technologies and intellectual property emerging from Virginia's research universities, nonprofit labs, and federal R&D institutions.

In this pivotal role, the VP will guide, coordinate, and invest in high-potential technology initiatives — with a focus on strategic sectors such as life sciences and defense technology to accelerate startup growth and economic development. The VP will serve as a key connector across Virginia's innovation ecosystem, building influential partnerships with academic institutions, government stakeholders, entrepreneurs, and corporate leaders.

A central responsibility of the role is oversight of the Commonwealth Commercialization Fund (CCF), a significant state-funded grant and loan program supporting early-stage commercialization efforts. The VP also acts as VIPC's primary liaison with Virginia's universities on all matters related to innovation, technology transfer, and entrepreneurial advancement.

This is a unique opportunity to lead transformational programs and partnerships that fuel innovation, investment, and long-term growth across the Commonwealth.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following responsibilities are fundamental to the successful performance of this role. This list is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as needed.

Strategic Leadership and Representation

Build and execute a strategic vision to radically improve commercialization of university, federal, and corporate research in Virginia.

Represent VIPC statewide and within the broader economic development community as its leader for supporting technology commercialization.

Build and maintain strong relationships with Virginia's university, government, business, investor, and technology executives to advance innovation and technology commercialization initiatives.

Promote founder-friendly tech transfer policies across the Commonwealth in coordination with Virginia's higher education institutions.

Evaluate and recommend programs, policies, and investments to strengthen Virginia's environment for innovation, research, and technology commercialization.

Program Oversight and Execution

Oversee multiple commercialization funding programs associated with the Commonwealth Commercialization Fund (CCF), a state-funded eight-figure grant and loan fund supporting technology commercialization.

Ensure programmatic and divisional reporting requirements are met and compliant with internal and external standards.

Collaborate with partners to identify allowable uses of public higher education institution buildings for research-led spin-off companies and student commercialization initiatives.

Advise on and review the Virginia Innovation Index, the Commonwealth's bi-annual research and technology strategic plan.

Organizational and Financial Management

Work with the CEO and VIPC leadership team to develop and execute annual strategic plans, operating plans, and budgets for the organization and the Commercialization Division.

Assume full P&L responsibility for the Commercialization Division.

Lead VIPC's Advisory Committee for Commercialization, including identifying members and guiding their engagement with division initiatives.

Team Leadership and Development

Provide leadership in cultivating a productive, innovative, and high-performing Commercialization Division staff and culture.

Lead, manage, and develop a high-performing Commercialization Division team, fostering collaboration with other VIPC divisions to achieve strategic goals.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

Education: Master's Degree in related field.

Job-Related Experience:

10–20 years of progressive leadership experience in one or more of the following areas: university research commercialization, technology transfer, university innovation hubs, private sector R&D, early-stage venture capital investment, tech translation, early-stage technology innovation, technology-based economic development, or public-private partnerships.

Demonstrated experience planning and executing major funding initiatives, including large-scale grant-making and/or equity investment programs.

Proven ability to manage staff, develop high-performing teams, and oversee operational budgets.

Experience may be gained through roles in government, the non-profit sector, higher education, and/or the private sector.

Strong understanding of university-based technology commercialization and its connection to the private sector and capital investment (experience preferred).

Exceptional communication skills, a collaborative and customer-focused mindset, and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.

Demonstrated initiative, strategic thinking, and a commitment to leveraging technology to drive operational efficiency.

Knowledge of Virginia's technology ecosystem — including its academic, research, and innovation assets — or experience working in a comparable technology and innovation ecosystem environment in another state is required.

Additional Information:

Must be able to pass a pre-employment background check

Virginia Innovation Partnership is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.

The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

FOR MORE INFO

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HOW TO APPLY:

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter to our Recruiting mailbox at: . Please include the title of the position you are applying for in the Subject line. You can also apply via our Careers site at: