Executive Director - Regional Technology & Innovation Tech Hub

Job Responsibilities

Welcome to South Carolina. The new headquarters of American innovation.

The South Carolina Department of Commerce (S.C. Commerce) is committed to maintaining the state’s long-term competitiveness while building a modern economy — one that is diverse, supporting businesses at every phase of their lifecycle, while allowing people to live and work where they love.

As one of 20 cabinet agencies, S.C. Commerce is the state’s lead economic development agency. Its mission is to create economic opportunities to increase choices for all South Carolinians, which it does by supporting new and existing businesses and partnerships that fuel emerging industries such as life sciences, headquarters, and advanced energy. To drive the state’s advanced energy potential and global impact, S.C. Commerce helped organize the SC Nexus for Advanced Resilient Energy (SC NEXUS), designated as one of 31 federal Technology and Innovation Hubs in 2023 by U. S. Economic Development Administration. A national leader in foreign direct investment, South Carolina extends its international reach with representation in Europe and Asia, ensuring the state remains a top, global business destination from launch to legacy.

The Department of Commerce is seeking a professional Executive Director for our Regional Technology & Innovation Tech Hub (SC Nexus), who reports directly to the Secretary of Commerce as a division director on the Executive Leadership team. The position is responsible for the overall strategic leadership, oversight, management and coordination of the SC Nexus Tech Hub. SC Nexus is an initiative led by the South Carolina Department of Commerce to support rapid commercialization of products and technologies in the advanced energy and grid resilience sector.

SC Nexus will leverage the region’s manufacturing base, research capabilities, and public-private collaboration expertise to innovate and commercialize emerging energy generation, storage and grid efficiency solutions and manufacturing techniques. In doing so, SC Nexus will contribute to economic and national security by expanding the availability of GRTs and DERs that will fortify energy independence, promote decarbonization and reduce grid disruptions.

The SC Nexus Tech Hub seeks to remove barriers for GRT and DER advances and increase likelihood of commercialization by providing the infrastructure to test, prove and demonstrate new advanced energy technology.

Essential Functions Of The Executive Director

Program Management

• Working alongside the Secretary of Commerce and Deputy Secretary of Commerce to establish a division within the South Carolina Department of Commerce dedicated to the SC Nexus, granting it full access to the ancillary capabilities of the full agency, including communications, marketing, compliance, legislative and legal support.
• Establish a Principals Advisory Committee which will serve as a key advisory board to the Secretary of Commerce on issues and challenges related to component project execution or strategy.
• Manage the SC Nexus Consortium, executing a regular meeting schedule and centralizing operations and administration.
• Work to support Consortium commitments by establishing specific and tangible measures of performance, accountability and course corrections.
• Oversee progress and track Component Projects as they are developed and executed by Consortium members and ensure connection to overarching strategy.
• Work with post-award EDA contacts on federal reporting and overall federal grant management.
• Attend EDA meetings and participate in Community Best Practices events.
• With leadership, develop the SC Nexus initiative model and budget for long-term sustainability and continued growth.
• Make presentations that will enhance SC Nexus’ global reputation and leadership.
  
  

Commercialization Support

• Manage collaborative structures and policies that will expedite the development and deployment of advanced energy technology.
• Maintain a working knowledge of national and international trends related to the development of advanced resilient energy technologies, including by not limited to, market opportunities and competition.
• Research best practices and programs on tech transfer and commercialization that will help expand Consortium opportunities, work with Consortium members to execute.
  
  

Consortium Development

• Engage with leaders across South Carolina to understand their interests, strengths and goals, and work to find mutual beneficial engagement with SC Nexus.
• Build on the region’s asset mapping and continue to track resources that can be engaged in the SC Nexus ecosystem.
• Reach beyond the Consortium and current partners to cultivate relationships that ensure a diversity of voices are involved in decision-making and ideation, including those from historically disadvantaged and underserved communities.
• Support the agencies communications team in drafting outreach materials related to SC Nexus, maintaining an active communications strategy, updating website content, and executing ongoing events.
  
  

Minimum And Additional Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in economics business, finance, engineering, or related field.

Must excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills as well as an ability to prepare clear, informative, and concise written materials. Must be able to communicate effectively across multiple stakeholder and partner groups such as universities, foundations, government, and industry sectors through both written and oral mediums. Strong organization, attention to detail, and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects within a portfolio. Familiarity with the commercialization process for products and development of business. Ability to be flexible and achieve results in a fast-paced environment and work with sensitive and confidential information. Previous grant management experience within a government agency or university is preferred. Possess an understanding of public policy and federal and state budgeting process with intermediate technology-based economic development concepts. Proficient with Microsoft office suite.

Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

• Post graduate degree in business, engineering, or finance preferred.
• At least 10 years of professional experience and demonstrated experience in managing programs, strategic partners, and/or organizational systems or equivalent.
• Experience in advanced manufacturing, advanced energy, commercialization, and/or emerging technology is desirable.
  
  

Additional Comments

• Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children.
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year.
• 15 days sick leave per year.
• 13 paid holidays.
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs.
• Paid parental leave (effective October 1, 2022).