New

Director, Tech Grove Operations and Sponsored Programs

University of Central Florida
life insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, sick time
United States, Florida, Orlando
Nov 05, 2025
Central Florida Tech Grove: The Central Florida Tech Grove is a nationally recognized hub for defense innovation, connecting the Department of War with industry, academia, and entrepreneurs. Located within Orlando's world-class modeling and simulation ecosystem, Tech Grove accelerates technology transition through collaboration, challenge-based programs, and startup engagement. It serves as both a physical space and virtual platform for solving mission-critical defense challenges. The Grove plays a key role in expanding the defense industrial base and driving applied research with real-world impact. UCF's leadership of Tech Grove helps advance national security, innovation, and regional economic growth. For more information, visit the Central Florida Tech Grove website. The Opportunity: The Director of Tech Grove Operations and Sponsored Programs provides strategic leadership, operational management, and external engagement for the Central Florida Tech Grove. Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Research and Innovation, this role oversees partnerships with federal government agencies, industry, and academia to accelerate the development of innovative prototypes, proofs of concept, and collaborative research projects that strengthen national defense capabilities. This person is responsible for all Tech Grove operations, management of dedicated staff, and active management of all Collaborative Project Orders (CPOs) issued to UCFRF under the Tech Grove partnership. Classification Title: Director, Research Programs Responsibilities: Strategic and Operational Leadership Provides vision, direction, and oversight for Tech Grove operations. Develops and executes strategic plans, organizational goals, and policies in compliance with federal, state, and university requirements. Ensures alignment with UCF's mission and the priorities of government and industry partners. Sponsored Programs and CPO Management Serves as Principal Investigator (PI) and oversees sponsored research activities. Manages proposal preparation, award administration, and reporting for federal and non-federal funding sources. Ensures budgets are effectively planned, monitored, and reconciled in compliance with sponsor and university policies. Partnership and Ecosystem Development Builds and sustains relationships with federal agencies, industry partners, academic institutions, nonprofits, and consortia. Strengthens UCF's role in Team Orlando and the national defense innovation ecosystem. Facilitates collaborative agreements to address sponsor needs and advance research and innovation outcomes. Technology Transition and Commercialization Directs technology transfer initiatives and innovation pathways to accelerate prototype and proof-of-concept development. Oversees technology scans, market research, and outreach to entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses to support commercialization and transition. Collaborative Project Orders (CPOs) and Program Oversight Leads execution of multiple CPOs totaling several million dollars annually. Ensures projects are delivered on time, within scope, and in alignment with customer objectives. Provides oversight for senior design teams, research prototypes, and cross-sector project collaborations. Events, Training, and Engagement Plans, facilitates, and represents Tech Grove at national and local events including Tabletop Exchanges, Innovation Marketplaces, Research Portfolio Reviews, and major defense conferences (I/ITSEC, SOF Week, AUSA, Fed Supernova). Provides regular training and professional development for Tech Grove staff. Contract and Performance Management Manages a portfolio of FAR- and non-FAR-based agreements, including PIAs and cooperative agreements. Establishes performance metrics, monitors compliance, and delivers reports and metrics to sponsors, the Technical Advisory Board (TAB), and UCF leadership. Ensures accountability, transparency, and effective stewardship of funds. Economic and Innovation Development Supports regional and national economic growth by fostering entrepreneurship and startup activity. Identifies and advances opportunities for industry-university-government collaboration that reduce redundancy, address complex defense challenges, and generate lasting impact for warfighter readiness. Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's or Master's degree and 8+ years of relevant experience, including 3+ years of leadership experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219(6). Preferred qualifications: Proven leadership in innovation ecosystems - experience guiding cross-functional teams in Defense, Research & Development (R&D), or Model, Simulation & Training sectors (MS&T), with a focus on delivering mission-aligned outcomes through strategic planning and execution. Demonstrated success managing complex portfolios - oversight of multi-million-dollar programs and concurrent initiatives, with expertise in varied funding sources, compliance, and impact reporting. Background in military and government environments - experience working with military personnel or federal agencies; former service (civilian, officer, or enlisted) is desirable. Strong stakeholder engagement skills - skilled at cultivating relationships with Department of Defense (DoD) sponsors, academic institutions, industry partners, and small businesses with the ability to translate needs into actionable, funded programs. Track record in technology transition and commercialization - experience leading or supporting initiatives that moved R&D toward deployment, including tech scans, market discovery, and outreach to startups and entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurial leadership mindset - experience leading programs, departments, or initiatives with a high degree of autonomy and accountability, including responsibility for people, budgets, and operations, similar to managing a small business. Special Instructions to the Applicants: Applicant must be authorized to work for any U.S. employer, as sponsorship is not available for this position. The final salary will be determined based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, and internal equity considerations. If you are selected as the final candidate for an employment opportunity here at UCF, both your position and salary will be significantly based upon the information that you have provided in your application for employment. We urge you to please take the time to complete the application in its entirety. This is a Contract and Grant (C&G) funded position. Employment is subject to availability of funding and may cease at the time funding for this employment is depleted. Classification Title: Director, Research Programs Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential? As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you'll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You'll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you'll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills, and you'll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck. Working at UCF has its perks!UCF offers: Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program Paid time off, including annual and sick time off and paid holidays Retirement savings options Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions Education assistance And more...For more benefits information, view the UCF Employee Benefits Guide. Dive into our Total Rewards Calculator to discover the diverse selection available to you, giving you a glimpse into the benefits that together shape your comprehensive rewards package at UCF. Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF's expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins. Additional Requirements related to Research Positions: Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela. The additional screening requirements only apply to research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty, graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, postdoctoral positions, undergraduate positions, visiting assistant professors, and visiting research associates. Department Office of Research Work Schedule Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Schedule may vary as required based on operational needs. Occasional evening or weekend hours may be necessary to support initiatives aligned with program objectives. Type of Appointment Regular Expected Salary $122,980.00 to Negotiable Job Posting End Date 11-13-2025-12-00-AM As a Florida public university, the University of Central Florida makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request. UCF is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer. If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 407-823-1336 or email onac@ucf.edu. For general application or posting questions, please email talent@ucf.edu.