DEPARTMENT: John Adams Innovation Institute

POSITION:  Director of Innovation Policy

 

The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative’s John Adams Innovation Institute serves to enhance innovation as an integral process of the Massachusetts economy. Acting as an agent of the state, the “Innovation Institute” endeavors to strengthen and grow the institutions and industries that comprise the Commonwealth’s knowledge economy.

 

To enhance the innovation process, the Innovation Institute seeks to advance understandings of Massachusetts industry sectors and the state’s regional economies, using those understandings to identify, leverage, and strategically invest in opportunities for sector growth. Establishing collaborations among stakeholders, policymakers, industry and academic institutions is the backbone of the Innovation Institute’s investment and project activity, all of which must contribute to enhanced conditions for innovation and resulting economic growth.  Converting conceptual and highly analytical thinking for application to ongoing programs and investments is central to meeting the needs of evolving sectors of the economy.

 

The Director of Innovation Policy will participate in and support the conceptualization, development and implementation of a rationale and intellectual framework for the Innovation Institute’s project and investment activities. The position will oversee the division’s research and analysis activities and will take lead responsibility for management of major collaborative research center investments and other projects that enhance innovation in Massachusetts.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

The successful candidate will demonstrate an ability to undertake hands-on involvement and responsibility to:  

 

1. Conceptualize, develop and document fact-based understandings and analysis to shape the implementation of policies and strategies to grow the Massachusetts Innovation Economy.   
2. Analyze, propose and support rigorous collaborative research and development partnerships at Massachusetts’ universities as new ideas and technologies emerge, enhancing the success of Massachusetts’ academic research centers to compete for federal research awards. Work products embodying this work will range from short memoranda to longer, more complex analysis and explorations of applicable theory, including comparisons and criticisms of competing theories.
3. Suggest adaptive changes and constructive criticisms to improve the Institute’s programs aimed at enhancing the role of the Commonwealth’s universities in the Massachusetts Innovation Economy. 
4. Accept lead responsibility, from time to time, for high value investments and projects, at the direction of the division Director, including leading the proposal review, analysis, approval processes and investment implementation, including all documentation and related oversight. Suggest and evaluate new policies and programs to enhance the Innovation Institute’s ability to identify and address unmet needs and opportunities, including identifying opportunities to maximize the impact from Innovation Institute investments and achieve the Institute’s goals.
5. Participate and collaborate in the research and analysis activities of the division, including activities among and between industry leaders and university-based researchers and domain experts.
6. Support the Innovation Institute’s Director with outside relationships including outreach efforts to other policy researchers and experts in university, industry and civic organizations.  This will include direct and immediate participation and interaction with policy, program and other thought leaders at the highest levels, including the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Congress and departments Executive Branch and
7. Manage tasks on budget and on schedule in accordance with project plans.

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

 

The successful candidate will have a Masters degree from an accredited college or university, in the field of public policy, technology policy, business administration, community development, or applied economics and while a Ph.D. is preferred, demonstrated professional experience can substitute for the desired academic credentials.  This would include experience with technology or economic development, including in areas such as management consulting or cluster research and analysis in the private or public sectors.   To qualify, you should have experience with technology- specific cluster development analysis with initiatives and programs designed to understand and advance economic growth.  

 

The candidate of choice will have a demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and Board Members as well as with key stakeholders and outside agencies.  The candidate will have a demonstrated ability to understand complex public policy issues involving economic development and science and technology policies and programs.  Strong interpersonal and presentation skills coupled with an ability to communicate effectively with academic researchers and administrators as well as with industry practitioners and policymakers while meeting project deadlines are essential for success.  The ability to write succinctly, analyze, develop, propose, and organize are all required to demonstrate success in this role.  

 

To Apply: Qualified candidates are encouraged to forward resume and salary requirements via E-mail to employment@masstech.org. You may also fax a resume to 508.898.2275 or mail to Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, 75 North Drive, Westborough, MA 01581-3340, Attn: Director of Innovation Policy  

              Only resumes with salary expectations will be reviewed. 

No phone calls please.

 

Application review begins June 20, 2008

Massachusetts Technology Collaborative is an Equal Opportunity Employer