Technology and Commercialization Director page is loaded## Technology and Commercialization Directorlocations:
Ames, IAtime type:
Full timeposted on:
Posted 3 Days Agojob requisition id:
R18565## Position Title:Technology and Commercialization Director## Job Group:Professional & Scientific## Required Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of related experience## Special Required QualificationsDrivers License## Preferred Qualifications:Prior experience advising or working with technology startups or research-driven companies.
Experience working with universities, research institutions, or commercialization offices.
Working knowledge of SBIR/STTR programs and federal innovation funding mechanisms.
Strong analytical skills, with the ability to evaluate optimal funding sources, manage data collection, and communicate insights effectively in both written and verbal formats.
Master’s degree (MBA, MPA, MS, or similar) in Business, Finance, Accounting, Management, Marketing, or related fields.## Job Description:**Summary**The State of Iowa Small Business Development Center (SBDC), located in Ames, Iowa, is seeking applications for a full-time **Technology and Commercialization Director (Program Specialist III)**.This position provides statewide support for Iowa SBDC’s technology-based entrepreneurship, innovation, and commercialization services. The Technology and Commercialization Director is responsible for designing, delivering, and managing programs that support innovative and technology-driven small businesses, with a particular emphasis on commercialization readiness, innovation funding pathways, and execution of the SBA Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program.The Director delivers advanced advisory services to technology-based entrepreneurs, including conducting commercialization readiness and prequalification assessments; advising clients on technology commercialization strategies; and supporting innovation-driven funding pursuits, including SBIR/STTR and other federal, state, and private capital sources. This role assists clients in translating research, inventions, and emerging technologies into commercially viable products and companies.In addition, the Technology and Commercialization Director collaborates closely with Iowa SBDC regional centers, Iowa State University constituents, state and federal partners, and Iowa’s broader entrepreneurial ecosystem to coordinate programming, deliver technical assistance, and expand access to innovation and commercialization resources statewide. The position is also responsible for tracking performance metrics and producing quarterly programmatic reports detailing outcomes, impact, and continuous improvement efforts.The successful candidate will possess excellent verbal and written communication skills, demonstrated experience working with technology-based or innovative businesses, and the ability to manage complex programs with measurable outcomes.**Example of Duties**• Manages a program to ensure that implementation and prescribed activities are carried out in accordance with the objectives of the university.• Plans, monitors, and manages an internal or external project from initiation through completion.• Leads or coordinates project planning, resourcing, and staffing for assigned program.• Monitors and manages budget and ensures that the program meets the overall objectives of the university.• Develops public relations initiatives, workshops, seminars, surveys, or other activities to promote the program and carry out its objectives.• Acts as a representative of the program.• Participates in project management.• May secure external funding as needed.**Level Guidelines**• Senior-level position possessing high-level professional and/or technical skills working independently under minimal supervision to support ISU’s mission and department or work unit goals• Applies senior-level professional knowledge and expertise to work requiring greater latitude• Solves moderately complex problems and regularly exercises judgment to determine appropriate action• Regularly exercises judgment to resolve problems and determine appropriate action on a broad set of issues and problems.• May provide recommendations regarding problems/issues outside the bounds of defined procedures and practices• Responds to complicated inquiries, provides training, and provides direction to lower-level staff• May provide supervision for one to two other staff (i.e., leads a small work team)• May lead projects for which well-defined practices and procedures may not exist• Provides guidance to students**This position requires periodic statewide and occasional national travel.***Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.*## Appointment Type:Regular## Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period## Time Type:Full time## Pay Grade:PS809## Application Instructions:To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:
1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae
2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter
If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.
Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:
• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program## Original Posting Date:February 9, 2026## Posting Close Date:February 23, 2026## Job Requisition Number:R18565By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible,
attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensiveland-grantmission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.If you have questions about the application process please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 #J-18808-Ljbffr
Ames, IAtime type:
Full timeposted on:
Posted 3 Days Agojob requisition id:
R18565## Position Title:Technology and Commercialization Director## Job Group:Professional & Scientific## Required Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of related experience## Special Required QualificationsDrivers License## Preferred Qualifications:Prior experience advising or working with technology startups or research-driven companies.
Experience working with universities, research institutions, or commercialization offices.
Working knowledge of SBIR/STTR programs and federal innovation funding mechanisms.
Strong analytical skills, with the ability to evaluate optimal funding sources, manage data collection, and communicate insights effectively in both written and verbal formats.
Master’s degree (MBA, MPA, MS, or similar) in Business, Finance, Accounting, Management, Marketing, or related fields.## Job Description:**Summary**The State of Iowa Small Business Development Center (SBDC), located in Ames, Iowa, is seeking applications for a full-time **Technology and Commercialization Director (Program Specialist III)**.This position provides statewide support for Iowa SBDC’s technology-based entrepreneurship, innovation, and commercialization services. The Technology and Commercialization Director is responsible for designing, delivering, and managing programs that support innovative and technology-driven small businesses, with a particular emphasis on commercialization readiness, innovation funding pathways, and execution of the SBA Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program.The Director delivers advanced advisory services to technology-based entrepreneurs, including conducting commercialization readiness and prequalification assessments; advising clients on technology commercialization strategies; and supporting innovation-driven funding pursuits, including SBIR/STTR and other federal, state, and private capital sources. This role assists clients in translating research, inventions, and emerging technologies into commercially viable products and companies.In addition, the Technology and Commercialization Director collaborates closely with Iowa SBDC regional centers, Iowa State University constituents, state and federal partners, and Iowa’s broader entrepreneurial ecosystem to coordinate programming, deliver technical assistance, and expand access to innovation and commercialization resources statewide. The position is also responsible for tracking performance metrics and producing quarterly programmatic reports detailing outcomes, impact, and continuous improvement efforts.The successful candidate will possess excellent verbal and written communication skills, demonstrated experience working with technology-based or innovative businesses, and the ability to manage complex programs with measurable outcomes.**Example of Duties**• Manages a program to ensure that implementation and prescribed activities are carried out in accordance with the objectives of the university.• Plans, monitors, and manages an internal or external project from initiation through completion.• Leads or coordinates project planning, resourcing, and staffing for assigned program.• Monitors and manages budget and ensures that the program meets the overall objectives of the university.• Develops public relations initiatives, workshops, seminars, surveys, or other activities to promote the program and carry out its objectives.• Acts as a representative of the program.• Participates in project management.• May secure external funding as needed.**Level Guidelines**• Senior-level position possessing high-level professional and/or technical skills working independently under minimal supervision to support ISU’s mission and department or work unit goals• Applies senior-level professional knowledge and expertise to work requiring greater latitude• Solves moderately complex problems and regularly exercises judgment to determine appropriate action• Regularly exercises judgment to resolve problems and determine appropriate action on a broad set of issues and problems.• May provide recommendations regarding problems/issues outside the bounds of defined procedures and practices• Responds to complicated inquiries, provides training, and provides direction to lower-level staff• May provide supervision for one to two other staff (i.e., leads a small work team)• May lead projects for which well-defined practices and procedures may not exist• Provides guidance to students**This position requires periodic statewide and occasional national travel.***Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.*## Appointment Type:Regular## Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period## Time Type:Full time## Pay Grade:PS809## Application Instructions:To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:
1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae
2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter
If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.
Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:
• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program## Original Posting Date:February 9, 2026## Posting Close Date:February 23, 2026## Job Requisition Number:R18565By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible,
attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensiveland-grantmission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.If you have questions about the application process please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 #J-18808-Ljbffr