Skip to main content

This job has expired

Economic Competitiveness Officer

Employer
University of North Dakota
Location
Grand Forks, ND
Salary
Salary based upon experience.

View more

Industry
General
Role
Executive
Job Type
Long-Term
Hours
Full Time

Job Details

Position Information:

Description

The mission of the UND Center for Innovation (CFI) is to advance the creation and development of innovative and entrepreneurial ideas, services and businesses. The Center works as a collaborative partner in a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem in Grand Forks, across North Dakota and as part of the UND Strategic Plan. The CFI helps innovators, students and entrepreneurs grow new and emerging ventures and helps them bring new products and technologies to market. The vision for the Center for Innovation is to be the principal leader guiding innovation in the Northern Plains. Experienced and dedicated staff are ready to facilitate relationships, provide commercialization support, develop University/industry partnerships and provide high-impact internship opportunities. The Center guides entrepreneurs and innovators using face-to-face and online resources and take advantage of the vast innovation and entrepreneurial expertise available throughout North Dakota. The Center's staff bring a wide range of entrepreneurial experience, expertise and tools to support faculty, students, and the community.

This position is a result of the successful grant application to the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) by the Center for Innovation and advances the region's pursuit of investments needed to advance North Dakota's state-wide UAS network and ensure that its economic benefits equitably reach individuals in all parts of the state. This is a two-year, grant funded, benefit eligible position.

This position will be responsible for overseeing grant deliverables that include the creation of an economic impact study and commercialization strategy for the state's UAS network. It will also include oversight of three different commercial use-cases for UAS. This primary objective of the position is the successful execution of the project by ensuring coordination and collaboration amongst campus partners, regional stakeholders, and private industry.

The project is aligned with the mission of the Center for Innovation in that it is designed to support innovation, entrepreneurial activity, and an increasing number of startups commercializing new technologies, which creates job opportunities, attracts private investment, and advances economic resiliency to strengthen the local economy. The position would manage this project on a day-to-day basis. They would work alongside Center of Innovation staff with expertise in UAS, business development, and the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem as well as collaborate with other UND staff and faculty as well as partners across North Dakota.

Position Benefits

Benefits include single or family health care coverage (UND pays the full premium), life insurance, employee assistance program, retirement plans with generous employer contributions, annual & sick leave in addition to 10 paid holidays.

Optional benefits include supplemental life, dental, vision, flexible spending account, supplemental retirement plans.

UND also offers an employee tuition waiver and a variety of professional development opportunities.

Find out more about UND's great benefits and perks here!

Duties & Responsibilities

Serve as the central coordinator of grant related activities by facilitating the development of a statewide economic impact study and commercialization strategy. Tasks involved in fulfilling this duty include:
  • Establish an economic development team to plan, analyze and create the economic impact and commercialization strategy of the statewide UAS network. The analysis will focus on utilizing UAS infrastructure in rural areas, coal communities, and tribal nations.
  • Convene an autonomous systems advisory group or meet with existing groups at least quarterly. This advisory group will act as a sounding board and assist with strategic goal setting and economic impact analysis.
  • Coordinate all aspects of the study and strategy; ensure timely and effective implementation of all activities.
  • Proactively monitor, investigate, and assess developments that affect scope, direction, and implementation of the study and strategy; make recommendations for improvements accordingly.
  • Build and maintain strong, positive relationships with stakeholders from across the region and across the public-private spectrum; cultivate an effective coalition to champion broad interests in the region.
  • Coordinate interaction and grant outcomes among all stakeholders.
  • Establish, track, and support meaningful workstreams and cross-collaboration.
  • Facilitate regular coalition and partner meetings, including creation of quarterly and annual reports on progress.
  • Establish and maintain a coordinated line of communication between all stakeholders.
  • Ensure technical assistance award funds provided by EDA and any partners are utilized effectively and within budget parameters.

Coordinate three business use case demonstration projects and subsequent showcase events with industry partners to validate technology, identify opportunities, recognize barriers such as policy, regulation, infrastructure, and inform current and future technology investments.
  • In coordination with industry partners, identify testable autonomous solutions in three prospective areas: rural delivery, disaster/emergency response, and sustainable power.
  • Validate commercialization opportunities and identify unmet technical and policy needs using the Vantis UAS network.
  • Examine resource needs, economic impact, barriers to success, and opportunities for each underserved population living in the region.
  • Coordinate interaction among all stakeholders; establishes and supports meaningful workstreams and cross-collaboration; facilitates regular coalition and partner meetings, including annually to report on progress.
  • Ensure technical assistance award funds provided by EDA and any partners are absorbed effectively within communities.


Required Competencies

  • Commitment to and passion for North Dakota's mission to diversity the state's economy and inspire a sense of shared purpose among service providers.
  • Ability to work on small project teams tackling complex and challenging work.
  • Ability to build strong industry relationships and comfort with engaging in technical details of the UAS industry.
  • Ability to engage credibly and thoughtfully in conversations with industry and government leaders.
  • Knowledge and understanding of economic development, sector development approaches, project finance, and public policy.
  • Demonstrated ability to self-lead own work planning and execution with a strong results orientation.
  • Ability to maintain client and government confidentiality.
  • Strong communication, as well as written (presentation, memos, and emails) and oral presentation skills.
  • A strong track record of professional success and consistent high-quality delivery on commitments.


Minimum Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as business, economics, finance, policy, UAS/Aviation, or engineering.
  • 3+ years of industry-facing experience in a fast-paced, project-oriented environment that emphasizes teamwork, problem solving, and communication (e.g. large-scale project management, management consulting, etc.)
  • Experience managing robust public-private partnerships and building effective coalitions.
  • Successful completion of criminal history records check.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Advanced degree in business, economics, finance, policy, or engineering.
  • Experience or knowledge of business opportunities with aerospace and UAS industry sector.
  • Project management experience or certification.


Minimum Hiring Salary/Position Classification

$70,000 - $85,000 / year; Exempt; Benefited; Full-time

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday; 8:30am - 4:30pm with variability if traveling

To Apply

For full consideration, all application materials must be fully submitted by 11:59PM on the closing date.

Additional Information

To find out why living and working in Greater Grand Forks is way cooler, check out Grand Forks is Cooler.

All information listed in this position announcement will be used by Human Resources, the Hiring Department, and EO/Title IX for screening, interviewing and selection purposes.

Confidentiality of Application Materials

Pursuant to NDCC 44-04-18.27, applications and any records related to the applications that identify an applicant are confidential, except records related to the finalists of the position, which are open to the public after the search committee has identified the top three or more finalists who will be invited to campus.

EEO Statement

The University of North Dakota is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or other protected characteristic. Women, minorities, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and members of other underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply. Applicants are invited to provide information regarding their gender, race and/or ethnicity, veteran's status and disability status as part of the application process. This information will remain confidential and separate from your application.

Veteran's Preference

Veterans claiming preference must submit all proof of eligibility by the closing date. Proof of eligibility includes a DD-214 showing character of service or NGB 22 and if claiming disabled status, a current letter of disability from the VA dated within the last 12 months.

Clery Statement

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the University of North Dakota publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. The report includes the university's policies, procedures, and programs concerning safety and security, as well as three years of crime statistics for our campus. As a prospective employee, you are entitled to a copy of this report. The report and statistical data can be found online at UND.edu. You may also request a paper copy of the report from the UND Police Department located at 3851 Campus Road, Grand Forks, ND, 58202.

Company

The University of North Dakota is one of the largest employers in the region. The University provides a comprehensive benefits package that includes full health insurance premium coverage for single or family plans, a retirement plan, tuition benefits for employees, as well as for the spouse and dependents of the employee, on-campus training programs, exclusive internal recruitment opportunities, as well as many other benefits.

Company info
Website
Location
264 Centennial Drive
Stop 7127
Grand Forks
ND
58202
United States

Get job alerts

Create a job alert and receive personalized job recommendations straight to your inbox.

Create alert