"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.

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.

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@spelmanandjohnson.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.