"Executive Director of Velocity Startups - Open Rank Research Faculty Position"

Job Description

Executive Director of Velocity Startups - Open Rank Research Faculty Position

Georgia Institute of Technology, a research university in Atlanta, GA, invites inquiries, nominations, and applications for its executive director of Velocity Startups - Open Rank Research faculty Position. This is an on-site leadership role.

Georgia Tech is a top-ranked public research university in the heart of Atlanta, a diverse and vibrant city with numerous economic and cultural strengths. The Institute serves over 45,000 students through top-ranked undergraduate, graduate, and executive programs in engineering, computing, science, business, design, and liberal arts. Georgia Tech's faculty attracted more than $1.4 billion in research awards this past year in fields ranging from biomedical technology to artificial intelligence, energy, sustainability, semiconductors, neuroscience, and national security.

Reporting to the president of the Georgia Advanced Technology Ventures and the chief commercialization officer of Georgia Tech, the executive director of Velocity Startups will: define the roadmap and strategy for the organization, along with the chief commercialization officer; fundraise for the organization; manage the staff direct reports; serve as the primary liaison for the other commercialization units, including CREATE-X, Quadrant-i, Office of Technology Licensing, and VentureLab; manage Velocity's budget of $6.3 million and financial operations; build and maintain external partnerships with investors, corporate partners, government agencies, and startup ecosystem stakeholders; advocate and outreach as the center's spokesperson, promoting its programs and services, and advocating for entrepreneurship within the community; steward the responsible scaling of the organization toward serving Georgia Tech; and Track key performance indicators, measuring the impact of programs, and reporting on the center's progress to stakeholders.This is an in-person role; the anticipated start is January 2026.

This position vacancy is an open rank announcement. Final job offer will be dependent on candidate qualifications in alignment with Research Faculty ranks as outlined in section 3.2.1 of the Georgia Tech Faculty Handbook

The salary range is $195,000 - $225,000.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will have a bachelor's or master's degree in engineering, technology, or a related field with ten plus years of experience. Essential qualifications include experience in entrepreneurial ventures and taking a technology/product from inception to market (deep tech product experience is a big plus). Other related qualifications include successfully raising financing for early-stage companies or venture funds, working in organizations such as accelerators, venture capital firms, and experience in higher education in an innovation/entrepreneurship capacity.

Application and Nomination

Georgia Tech has selected Spelman Johnson, a leading executive search firm, to assist with leading this search. Review of applications will begin October 29, 2025 and continue until the position is filled. Submit a resume and cover letter via https://spelmanandjohnson.com/position/velocity-startups-executive-director-open-rank-research-faculty-position/

• Contact Laura Puckett-Boler at lpb@spelmanjohnson.com or Mark Hall at mah@spelmanjohnson.com for confidential inquiries.
• Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895 or email info@spelmanjohnson.com.

Visit the Georgia Tech website at https://gatech.edu.

The Georgia Institute of Technology is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for all. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, Georgia Tech provides equal opportunity to all faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including applicants for admission and/or employment, contractors, volunteers, and participants in institutional programs, activities, or services. Georgia Tech complies with all applicable laws and regulations governing equal opportunity in the workplace and in educational activities. Georgia Tech prohibits discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, on the basis of race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or veteran status in its programs, activities, employment, and admissions. This prohibition applies to faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including affiliates, invitees, and guests. Further, Georgia Tech prohibits citizenship status, immigration status, and national origin discrimination in hiring, firing, and recruitment, except where such restrictions are required in order to comply with law, regulation, executive order, or Attorney General directive, or where they are required by Federal, State, or local government contract.

All members of the USG community must adhere to the USG Statement of Core Values, which consists of Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values shape and fundamentally support our University's work. Additionally, all faculty, staff, and administrators must also be aware of and comply with the Board of Regents and Georgia Institute of Technology's policies on Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom.