Director, Translation and Venture Development

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Job Title: Director, Translation and Venture Development
Department: ERIK | Technology Commercialization

Position Overview

The Director of Translation and Venture Development provides strategic leadership for Ohio State’s research translation and venture development activities as a co-equal pillar alongside Licensing and Operations and Innovation Investment Management. This role is responsible for advancing innovations from invention disclosure through translational development, venture formation, and capital readiness—ultimately transforming university research into commercially viable ventures that create societal impact.

Working in integrated partnership with the Director of Licensing and Operations and the Director of Innovation Investment Management, the Director leads programs, services, and ecosystem partnerships that increase commercialization readiness and venture creation. Opportunities enter the innovation pipeline through Licensing, with Translation and Venture Development providing structured support for translational advancement, venture development, and commercialization readiness. Together, the three pillars operate through an integrated governance framework that aligns resource allocation, milestone advancement, and commercialization outcomes.

This position has direct authority over venture formation strategy, founder development, and translation portfolio decisions. It operates in close coordination with Licensing & Operations on intellectual property strategy and with Innovation Investment Management on investment readiness, with explicit decision frameworks to ensure rapid progression without compromising due diligence.

Direct leadership of functions including Translation Program Manager, Program Specialist, Venture Development Lead, Venture Analyst, Venture Platform & Ecosystem Engagement Lead, and Expert Talent Coordinator. Oversight may also include EIRs, MIRs, Technical Project Managers, Student Associates, and external subject matter experts. Systematically removes barriers to entrepreneurship—bureaucratic friction, decision delays, and structural obstacles. Empower innovators and team with rapid decision-making and clear pathways to venture formation. Operates as a co-equal member of the Innovation and Commercialization leadership team, reporting to the Senior Associate Vice President, Innovation and Strategic Ventures, and collaborates closely with the Sr. Director of Licensing and Operations and the Director of Innovation Investment Management to ensure effective coordination and integrated decision-making across the commercialization ecosystem.

Measures of Success

Shared Commercialization Outcomes

• Increased invention-to-translation-project conversion (with defined cycle-time targets: baseline vs. target).
• Increased progression of funded projects through commercialization milestones within planned timelines (% on schedule).
• Increased transition of translation projects into licensing opportunities and venture formation.
• Increased venture formation with strong founder teams and validated business models.
• Improved venture-stage commercialization cycle time and speed to market.
• Strong integrated collaboration across Translation and Venture Development, Licensing and Operations, and Innovation Investment Management, with clear decision frameworks and rapid resolution of conflicts Increased follow-on translational and private capital raised by portfolio ventures.

Translation & Venture Development Outcomes

• Increased faculty participation in translation and venture development programs, with diversity goals for founder demographics.
• Expanded mentor, entrepreneur, investor, alumni, and industry engagement; growth in EIR/MIR participation and quality;
• Increased number of commercialization-ready opportunities progressing to venture formation.
• Successful completion of stage-gated project milestones, with [X]% of ventures achieving funding/revenue milestones within 18 months of launch.
• Increased utilization of venture development resources and founder education programs.
• Reduction in decision-making cycle time for translation assessments and venture-readiness determinations (target: 60 days or less).
• Growth in external innovation ecosystem partnerships, venture support capacity, and Ohio State’s reputation as a venture-creation institution.

Position Impact

The Director of Translation and Venture Development plays a critical role in advancing Ohio State’s research, innovation, and economic development mission by building systems that connect discovery, talent, capital, and partnerships. As a co-equal strategic pillar within the Enterprise for Research, Innovation and Knowledge’s (ERIK) commercialization ecosystem, this position drives the advancement of university innovations through structured translation and founder development, transforming promising research discoveries into commercially viable ventures that create lasting societal impact. Through empowerment of faculty entrepreneurs, rapid decision-making, systematic risk reduction, and strategic capital deployment, this leader helps position Ohio State as a premier research university that drives economic innovation and catalyzes transformative change.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in building or scaling translation programs, venture development, technology transfer, or dual-pillar commercialization functions.
• Demonstrated track record managing translational research funding programs (NIH R21/R33, NSF SBIR/STTR, or private translation funds) OR launching and scaling ventures in biotech, medtech, deep technology, or advanced manufacturing.
• Demonstrated success leading complex initiatives, developing partnerships, and managing innovation portfolios or programs with measurable commercialization outcomes.
• Ability to operate in a matrix environment, navigate competing stakeholder priorities, and make rapid decisions in ambiguous situations.

Desired Qualifications

• Advanced degree preferred (MBA, PhD, MD, JD, or related discipline).
• 15 or more years of relevant experience.
• Experience within a major research university, academic medical center, venture-backed startup, accelerator, incubator, or deep-tech investment organization.
• Familiarity with venture capital, angel investing, SBIR/STTR programs, translational funding, and faculty entrepreneurship ecosystems.
• Demonstrated expertise in regulatory pathways relevant to at least one of Ohio State’s portfolio domains (biomedical, medtech, pharma, engineering, hardware, advanced manufacturing, or life sciences).
• Direct experience building or managing founder education programs, executive-in-residence (EIR) models, or innovation ecosystem partnerships.

Application Materials

• A resume is required to be submitted at the time of application to be considered for this position.
• A cover letter is strongly desired.

Additional Information

Salary

The salary range for this position is $163,000.00 - $213,450.00. The offer for this position may fall within this range based on multiple factors including internal equity, unit’s available budget, and the selected candidate’s qualifications.

Work Location

This is a fully in-person position.

Additional Information

Due to U.S. export control regulations governing information, technology, and facilities accessed during the performance of work, applicants must be: (1) U.S. citizens or nationals; (2) permanent residents; (3) asylees or refugees; or (4) individuals otherwise described as “protected individuals” pursuant to Title 8 U.S. Code Section 1324b(a)(3)(b).

Ohio State will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.

ERIK Overview

Join the Enterprise for Research, Innovation and Knowledge (ERIK) at The Ohio State University and become a part of a dynamic, forward-thinking team dedicated to pushing the boundaries of discovery and innovation. ERIK positions Ohio State to expand curiosity-driven research and creative expression, further develop our research community of faculty, staff, and students, and grow the innovation ecosystem to address big challenges and improve communities locally and globally. We are seeking passionate individuals who are committed to making a meaningful impact through collaboration, innovation, and excellence. To learn more about our mission and work, please visit https://erik.osu.edu/.

Position Mapping

• Function: Business Planning and Operations
• Sub function: Venture Development
• Career Band and Level: M4

Location: Energy Advancement and Innovation Center (1044)
Position Type: Regular
Scheduled Hours: 40
Shift: First Shift

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.

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