Innovation Hub Director

Portland State University is on the frontline of developing new ideas, technologies and programming that focus on addressing the major issues of the 21st century. Propel PSU believes entrepreneurship and commercialization increase the impact of innovative ideas. That’s why we partner with students, faculty members and client companies—to provide the wrap-around resources and support that grow ideas into positive impacts that transform Portland and beyond.

Portland State University will facilitate and host the Metro Region Innovation Hub (the Hub) since July 2024. Funded by Business Oregon and other community partners, the Hub serves the tri-county Metro area and will provide regional entrepreneurs from all sectors, backgrounds, and business stages with accessible paths to all existing regional resources in networking, coaching, education, and capital access in order to foster and grow innovation-based businesses.

The Hub Director will be responsible for planning and overseeing the many activities within the Hub, directing significant programs and operations through a team of 2-3 ecosystem navigators and program leads, interfacing with and managing an oversight board and regional convening function with 37+ regional partners, and working towards long term funding sustainability for the Hub and its partners. They will set Hub strategies and objectives in alignment with the overall strategy of the University and the hub Oversight Board. They will be accountable for managing and communicating long-term direction and achieving the strategies and metrics of the Hub as determined by funders and the Hub Oversight Board, and for ensuring that Hub programs are accessible and equitable to all communities in the region.

The Director role requires analytical thinking, superb interpersonal communication, cultural competency, creative thinking and innovation skills, and great adaptability. There are significant intangibles and uncertainties in executing the Hub’s mission, and the Director will be responsible for flexibly coordinating and integrating diverse inputs and activities to build and accomplish an execution plan with the budget available. The Director will problem solve to address unique and complex problems that do not fit a standard protocol. Day to day supervision of the role is limited to special situations requiring advice or joint problem solving and the ability to work independently and keep a team motivated is critical. The Director must also be familiar with programmatic fundraising and will spend a significant amount of time working with the Oversight Board and other regional partners on securing long-term financial stability for Hub operations.

The Director will serve as a leader in metro area ecosystem by serving the community and striving to coordinate the region’s robust and varied entrepreneurship services.

Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.

Salary is dependent on several factors, and new employees will typically start around the Q1 level to allow for later growth within the salary band. PSU has a structured process for determining starting compensation, taking into account years of related experience, applicable skills, knowledge and abilities, market parity, and internal equity.

The starting annual salary for this position will be between $96,468 and $117,528, but may be negotiated above this range dependent upon the factors above, the budget of the hiring department, and approval from HR.

An excellent benefits package includes 95% premium paid healthcare; a generous retirement and vacation package; and reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse or dependent at any of the Oregon University System schools.

Please visit our total compensation calculator to see the full value of our benefits package.