Innovation Specialist

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Closing Date:

Type of Position:

ExtensionNo

Job Type:

RegularNo

Institution Name:

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is a metropolitan research university that provides an accessible quality education through flexible learning and unparalleled internship opportunities. At UA Little Rock we prepare our more than 8900 students to be innovators and responsible leaders in their fields. Committed to its metropolitan research university mission UA Little Rock is a driving force in Little Rocks thriving cultural community and a major component of the city and states growing profile as a regional leader in research technology transfer economic development and job creation.

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Department:

ASBTDC - Provisional Positions

Summary of Job Duties:

The Innovation Specialist reports to the Innovation Strategist and will assist with Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer client services help organize events workshops and stakeholder convenings conduct research on funding opportunities science and technology markets partners and trends. This position will support the Innovation Strategist in helping innovators secure non-dilutive funding and strengthen Arkansass statewide innovation ecosystem. The Innovation Specialist will assist clients with the SBIR/STTR grant application processes customer- and research-to-commercialization journeys. This role supports ASBTDCs statewide technology entrepreneur programming including accelerators and statewide initiatives that foster technology transfer and startup growth. This position is governed by state and federal laws and agency/institution policy.

Qualifications:

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Bachelors degree in business/entrepreneurship management or marketing public policy science or a related field and at least five (5) years of experience in a professional working environment.;

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail especially with documents data and deadlines;

• Excellent written communication and interpersonal skills;

• Curiosity about innovation technology commercialization and startup ecosystems.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Experience conducting market research;

• Familiarity with technology commercialization concepts such as product-market fit seed funding customer discovery intellectual property or go-to-market strategy;

• Hands-on experience coordinating workshops educational events or community engagement efforts in fast-paced cross-sector and/or multi-institutional environments;

• Demonstrated initiative adaptability and a growth mindset;

• Experience working in higher education;

• Experience using a CRM;

• MS Office including SharePoint Google productivity suite (Docs Sheets Forms Notebook LM Gmail) and WordPress;

• 1 - 3 years of experience in program coordination or business development.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist the Innovation Strategist in delivering SBIR/STTR program services as directed including consulting on topics such as new business starts business planning customer discovery market potential and SBIR/STTR proposal writing;

• Maintain a log and templates of SBIR/STTR funding opportunities solicitations deadlines and agency guidelines;

• Support marketing and outreach activities by drafting promotional materials organizing events and preparing logistics for workshops and webinars;

• Track client progress along the SBIR/STTR Customer Journey and Research-to-Commercialization Journey pathways using internal tracking systems and metrics dashboards;

• Develop a knowledge base of specific agency SBIR/STTR programs and develop relationships with program managers;

• Maintain accurate records in CRM and data reporting tools;

• Help develop and update educational resources slide decks templates and support materials used in training and advising;

• Monitor state and national innovation news trends and ecosystem events relevant to ASBTDC programs;

• Provide responsive friendly and timely administrative support to clients and stakeholders through email calendar coordination and follow-up;

• Participate in internal team meetings and contribute to project planning brainstorming and idea generation;

• Attend relevant trainings and workshops (internal or external) to build knowledge of innovation funding and commercialization;

• Perform other duties as assigned to support the success of our clients and ASBTDCs innovation initiatives.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills especially in handling documents deadlines and data tracking;

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to draft professional emails edit documents and support public-facing communications;

• Familiarity with or interest in innovation entrepreneurship and technology commercialization;

• Basic knowledge of business development startup terminology or market research (can be acquired on the job);

• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and stay organized in a fast-paced team-oriented environment;

• Comfort with digital tools such as CRMs spreadsheets cloud-based storage (e.g. Google Drive) and collaboration platforms;

• Willingness to learn about federal grant programs (e.g. SBIR/STTR) and technology-to-market pathways;

• Demonstrated curiosity initiative and a willingness to grow into higher levels of responsibility;

• Ability to work occasional evenings and travel in-state if needed for events (minimal);

• Commitment to ethical standards confidentiality and professionalism in support of public service and higher education values;

• Team player celebrate successes and convey the generosity of spirit that is part of our ecosystem culture in Arkansas and on our Innovation team;

• Occasional evening and weekend work required;

• Ability to travel in-state and out-of-state including overnight stays;

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and adhere to the University System and ASBTDC Conflict of Interest standards.

Additional Information:

Special Instructions to Applicants:

All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site

Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.

Pre-employment Screening Requirements:

Criminal Background Check Motor Vehicle Reports Check Sex Offender Registry

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is committed to providing a safe campus community. We conduct background checks for applicants being considered for employment. Background checks include a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check. For certain positions there may also be a financial (credit) background check a Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) check and/or drug screening. Required checks are identified in the position listing. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication or adverse financial history information alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a confidential non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of any category or status protected by law including age race color national origin disability religion protected veteran status military service genetic information sex sexual orientation or pregnancy. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex may be sent to the Universitys Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

All application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

Constant Physical Activity:

Hearing Manipulate items with fingers including keyboarding Sitting Talking

Frequent Physical Activity:

Driving Standing Walking

Occasional Physical Activity:

Lifting Pulling Pushing

Benefits Eligible: