University of Oregon Foundation Looking for Managing Director at Eugene, Oregon Full Time

Managing Director (Full Time)
Location: Eugene, OR

 Managing Director

Department: Launch Oregon

Status: Full-Time, Exempt (40 Hours/Week)

INTRODUCTION:

The University of Oregon (UO) is an R1 designated, very high-research-activity university and member of the Association of American Universities (AAU). The University of Oregon Foundation (UOF) is a charitable 501(c)(3) organization, responsible for administering private gifts made to further the University of Oregon’s mission. The UOF and UO have launched a new partnership responsible for growing the quality and quantity of successful startup companies formed around technologies and innovations primarily created at the University of Oregon. Launch Oregon, LLC’s mission is to create new companies anchored with UO intellectual property (IP) rights to maximize UO’s investment in research and to accelerate the societal impact of those investments.  Launch Oregon controls startup capital and operational funds to support the successful launch and acceleration of UO research-based spinouts. Launch Oregon will also seek new investment capital from venture/angel funds, trusts and appropriate individual investments. With the help and support of a vast network of successful alumni, friends and supporters of UO, Launch Oregon will enable success in the broadest terms for UO IP.

The  University of Oregon and University of Oregon Foundation are seeking a leader with significant venture and startup experience for the position of Managing Director of Launch Oregon. The Managing Director of Launch Oregon is a new role responsible for growing the quality and quantity of successful startup companies formed around technologies and innovations created at the University of Oregon, including the Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, Centers and Institutes, and units and programs engaged in highly productive research. The Phil and Penny Knight Campus opened in 2020 and is an ambitious initiative to fast track scientific discoveries into innovations that improve the quality of life for people in Oregon, the nation, and the world.  

SUMMARY:

The  Managing Director will be responsible for supporting the existing portfolio of UO startups and will work closely with the Launch Oregon Board, UO Office of Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI) and its  Industry, Innovation and Translation  office ,  UO leaders, and faculty to identify new startup opportunities across the campus ecosystem, providing the necessary support to help assess and validate their commercial viability. This person will also be responsible for developing Launch Oregon’s network of advisors and potential management candidates to support university startups, working with the Launch Oregon Board and UO Advancement to raise an internal seed fund that provides initial financing to UO ventures, engaging the broader venture capital ecosystem to facilitate external funding of scalable opportunities, and developing partnerships with established companies to enhance prospective business development collaborations and corporate funding, in addition to generating potential acquisition interest in UO startups.

As  a critical link between UO and the external startup ecosystem, the Managing Director must have sufficient knowledge, experience, business acumen and understanding of the UO’s attributes to effectively engage this ecosystem in support of UO startups.  The Launch Oregon Managing Director will have broad latitude and authority, and must have strong leadership skills, high-functioning organizational skills, attention to detail, adherence to confidentiality, and discretion. This position requires a team-first, highly collaborative, creative and positive approach to supporting innovators in an academic entrepreneurial environment.

This position reports to the Launch Oregon Board of Directors in the broadest sense, however, Launch Oregon is a subsidiary of the University of Oregon Foundation, and the Managing Director will report directly to the UOF President/CEO.

BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS:

• Follows the principles of the Foundation’s core values:
  • Trust
  • Respect
  • Integrity
  • Commitment
• Motivated to contribute to the success of the Foundation
• Teaches through example and service
• Practices professional curiosity and desire to learn
• Works safely

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Reporting  to and working under the broad direction of the Launch Oregon Board to implement the day-to-day operations of Launch Oregon for maximum UO startup success
• Working  in conjunction with OVPRI, developing a process to identify top startup opportunities and prioritizing those ready for Launch Oregon support
• Mentoring  and guiding UO innovators on company formation and growth.
• Facilitating   development of initial business cases
• Facilitating  rigorous analysis of UO startup ideas, in collaboration with Launch Oregon’s designated Investment Committee, for determination of viability and success
• Negotiating  licensing opportunities for a select number of UO technologies judged appropriate by OVPRI for Launch Oregon management
• Assisting  with development of business and commercialization plans for Launch Oregon portfolio startups, including assessment of market opportunities, company valuation and regulatory strategies
• Referring  Launch Oregon portfolio innovators to existing resources that can help launch and grow their startups and developing new programs or relationships to fill gaps as needed
• Overseeing  the development and growth of Launch Oregon’s mentor network, including supervising associated staff
• Supporting  Launch Oregon startups with talent recruitment and development of boards/advisors
• Developing  fundraising strategies for Launch Oregon startups, including coaching on development of pitch deck presentations for investors, fostering connections to investors, and facilitating access to resources to support SBIR/STTR grant applications and other non-dilutive funding opportunities
• Developing  and deepening relationships with the venture capital ecosystem
• Leveraging  UO/UOF partners in industry relations, Advancement and elsewhere, to develop relationships with companies in key, targeted sectors, with a focus on identifying advisors and business development/funding support for UO innovators and early spin outs
• Conducting  this work in a highly collaborative manner in a fast-paced, complex team-based environment,  and being entrepreneurial and hands-on as needed
• Working   actively to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion

Success for this position after 36 months would include:

• A growing pipeline and increased number of successful UO startups
• Higher-quality UO startups, including success in obtaining SBIR/STTR funding or other non-dilutive funding, venture financing , and recruitment of C-level talent
• Strong and diverse network of advisors, mentors, and investors that UO innovators can leverage to support their startups
• Sustained  increase in the number of spin-out companies that raise significant venture funding, grow their teams, become revenue-generating, and/or demonstrate other tangible progress
• An  established infrastructure of transferable networks, resources, and tools that support the scaling of UO startups

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Act  as the main contact for Launch Oregon portfolio startups seeking help and guidance in forming new ventures
• Provide  comprehensive support to UO innovators and their spin-outs through Launch Oregon
• Oversee  and manage network of Launch Oregon mentors and volunteers
• Build  relationships and promote Launch Oregon portfolio companies within the venture community
• Implement  sustainable operational infrastructure and practices, including performance metrics
• Other duties as assigned by the Launch Oregon Board or its designee

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree  in life, behavioral, or physical sciences, engineering, or business from an accredited institution, and at least five years of additional relevant experience
• Successful  background and leadership roles in venture investing, private equity and/or startup formation and scaling as evidenced by a Deal Sheet/Representative Matters summary
• Broad  network across the startup ecosystem, including investors, entrepreneurs and executives
• Demonstrated  success engaging with and influencing executive stakeholders in a matrixed organization

ADDITIONAL DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

• A history  of successfully working with university faculty and startups and understanding the research ecosystem of an R1 university
• Demonstrated  ability to take ideas from cradle to maximal success, including licensing technologies, putting teams together, and aggregating resources for early-stage startups
• Demonstrated  knowledge and success with Creative Destruction Labs, Lean LaunchPad or NSF I-Corps or similar programs
• High  level of negotiation experience and successful track record in bringing multiple stakeholders together to solve challenges in a variety of settings, such as working with the investment community, faculty, industry and others
• Demonstrated   history of effective relationship building with local, regional and global communities including capital, industry, universities and other communities

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• This job is conducted in an office work  environment , sitting most of the time
• Approximately 90% of this position’s duties require use of a computer