Executive Director, Koffman Southern Tier Incubator

The Koffman Southern Tier Incubator, a 501(c)(3) affiliate of the Binghamton University Foundation, is a cornerstone of the region's innovation ecosystem. Its 35,000-square-foot facility, which includes coworking space, offices, high-tech laboratories, and collaborative areas, brings together entrepreneurs, researchers, students, investors, industry partners, and community leaders. Koffman supports startups at every stage, from Binghamton University faculty and student ventures to community-based companies. It also serves as a platform for technology commercialization, talent development, and regional economic growth. Binghamton University seeks an entrepreneurial, hands-on leader to serve as Executive Director. Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Innovation and Commercialization, with fiduciary responsibility to the Koffman Board of Directors, the Director will oversee the Incubator's leadership, operations, finances, growth, and external profile. This role suits someone who enjoys building things: a strong team, a vibrant entrepreneurial community, productive partnerships, sustainable funding, and a pipeline of promising companies. Key Responsibilities Lead the Organization • Set strategic direction and turn Koffman's mission into clear priorities, annual goals, and measurable outcomes. • Partner with the Board and University leadership to ensure strong governance, accountability, and alignment. • Build and lead a high-performing staff with an entrepreneurial, collaborative, results-focused culture, supported by efficient systems and processes. • Oversee facility operations, including tenant experience, space use, laboratories, and shared resources, in coordination with university partners. • Develop a sustainable financial model that balances earned revenue, sponsorships, grants, and philanthropy, and lead efforts to secure public and private funding. Grow the Entrepreneurial Community • Attract and retain promising technology companies and entrepreneurs. • Provide strategic oversight of incubation, acceleration, and mentoring programs delivered with staff and partners. • Expand opportunities for Binghamton faculty and students to commercialize research and launch companies, working closely with the University technology commercialization and research leadership. Connect Technology, Capital, and the Region • Connect Koffman companies with capital, technical expertise, customers, talent, and strategic partners, including angel investors, venture capital firms, corporations, and lenders. • Guide companies through the particular challenges of technology-intensive startups: product development, intellectual property, regulatory pathways, manufacturing, and capital needs. • Position Koffman as a visible contributor to economic development across the Southern Tier and Upstate New York through relationships with municipalities, chambers of commerce, workforce and economic-development organizations, and industry. What You Bring The ideal candidate is an entrepreneurial leader who has operated a startup, technology company, incubator, accelerator, nonprofit, economic-development organization, or commercialization operation. You understand technology-based ventures, build trust across university, business, investment, and government sectors, and have a record of securing external resources. Strong financial acumen and excellent communication skills are essential. Requirements: • Bachelor's degree in business, entrepreneurship, engineering, finance, technology, nonprofit management, economic development, or a related field. • At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in entrepreneurship, technology commercialization, business or economic development, venture development, or a related field. • Demonstrated experience managing an organization, business unit, program, or venture, including responsibility for personnel and budgets. • Experience working with startups, technology-based businesses, investors, or corporate innovation partners. • Experience developing strategic partnerships and securing external funding from public and/or private sources. • Experience supervising and developing professional staff. Preferred: • Master's degree in a related field. • Experience leading an incubator, accelerator, research park, innovation center, economic-development organization, or technology company. • Experience as a founder, investor, mentor, or executive in a technology-based company. • Background in hard-tech or research-intensive industries such as advanced manufacturing, materials, energy, semiconductors, electronics, robotics, or life sciences. • Experience with university technology transfer, intellectual property, or faculty entrepreneurship. • Familiarity with early-stage financing, including venture capital, angel investment, and SBIR/STTR. • Experience with economic-development programs such as EDA, SBA, NYSERDA, or Empire State Development. Additional Information: Salary: $160,000 annually. Please note, this position involves a combination of collaborative/in-person and independent work and will require the incumbent to be onsite 100% of the time. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Binghamton University is a tobacco-free campus. Application Instructions: All applicants must apply through this Hirezon/Interview Exchange system and should submit a single PDF that includes: 1. Resume/CV 2. Cover letter which addresses the specific reasons for your interest in this opportunity 3. Names and contact information of two individuals who can provide recommendations Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. You may add additional files/documents after uploading your resume/vitae. After filling out the contact information, you will be directed to the upload page. Returning Applicants - Login to your The Research Foundation for SUNY at Binghamton Careers Account to check your completed application. Please contact us if you need assistance applying through this website. URL: www.binghamton.edu/research/division-offices/innovation/