Chief Innovation and Entrepreneurship Officer (0550U) #80443

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic and social value.

We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations). Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.

The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research (VCRO) has overall managerial responsibility for Berkeley's research enterprise. It seeks to maintain a research environment that fosters creativity, collaboration and community. Its specific goals are to provide effective support for campus-wide research efforts; to advocate for research needs and resources; and to maximize the benefits of Berkeley's research to the scholarly community, and to the quality of life in the local community, the state, and the nation. In support of these goals, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research: supervises over 30 research units, six museums, and seven field stations; administers the flow of research funding to the Berkeley campus; oversees the compliance of campus research with federal, state and university regulations; facilitates relations between University researchers and private industry for the benefit of society. Under the VCRO, the Office of the Chief Innovation and Entrepreneurship Officer maintains a research environment that fosters creativity, collaboration and community. Its specific goals are to provide effective support for campus-wide research efforts; to advocate for research needs and resources; and to maximize the benefits of Berkeley's research to the scholarly community, and to the quality of life in the local community, the state, and the nation.

The Chief Innovation and Entrepreneurship Officer (CIEO), established in 2020, is a high profile position that reports directly to the Vice Chancellor for Research. The CIEO will oversee, through subordinate senior managers, and have line management responsibility for the Office of Intellectual Property and Industry Alliances (IPIRA) which is comprised of the Office of Technology Licensing (OTL) and Industry Alliances Office (IAO), Berkeley SkyDeck Accelerator, and the Innovative Genomics Institute IP Office. The CIEO will lead with vision, influence, and a spirit of collaboration to strengthen a dynamic network of startup incubators, accelerators, and entrepreneurial programs, including Bakar Labs, the EBI Entrepreneurial Business Incubator (EBI), the Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology (SCET), NSF I-Corps Bay Area, the Berkeley Haas Entrepreneurship Hub, and many others. Beyond this campus-wide role, they will serve as UC Berkeley's ambassador for innovation and entrepreneurship, cultivating strategic partnerships and representing the University in high-level engagements with key stakeholders across Silicon Valley and beyond.

The application review process will begin after mid-September. The position will remain open until filled.

The Chief Innovation and Entrepreneurship Officer (CIEO) was created to provide strategic leadership and coordination for UC Berkeley's innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. The role exists to unify and strengthen campus-wide entrepreneurial efforts, manage key innovation-focused units, and represent the university in high-level external partnerships.

The CIEO will be a strategic leader of the ecosystem with broad impact:

Strategically advance Berkeley's innovation and entrepreneurship (I&E) ecosystem as one of the key pathways for translating the University's knowledge and research into broad societal impact. This includes building partnerships with external entities, such as investment funds and potential licensees, and promoting innovation opportunities to graduate students, postdocs, and faculty. Just as importantly, the role will ensure that I&E activities remain firmly aligned with Berkeley's core public mission and values.

Serve as convener of the Innovation & Entrepreneurship (I&E) Council, facilitating regular communication across I&E resource units to maximize collaboration, reduce overlap or competition, and help the community identify and capitalize on emerging opportunities.

Work with VCR to establish a technology advisory board that will provide ongoing guidance and expertise to the CIEO on such matters as technology evaluation, IP portfolio management and strategy, and litigation of valuable patents.

The CIEO will be a skilled senior-level manager to drive enhancements and motivate and guide their functional teams:

Provide overall leadership to various teams for Berkeley's intellectual property licensing strategy, organization and procedures; centering the perspective of the campus inventor to ensure a transparent and inventor-friendly interface that maximizes returns to the campus and positive impact for the world.

Take a lead role in developing innovative mechanisms for maximizing returns to the University of California, in support of its public mission, including collaboration with the UC Office of the President.

Collaborate with campus senior management (and UCOP where necessary) on resolving controversial situations, intellectual property issues, patent and licensing negotiations.

Serve as ex-officio member of Board of Directors for Berkeley SkyDeck.

• Extensive experiences with at least one of the following: business development, IP management, and sophisticated models of financial investment in business partnerships designed to drive innovation and industry transformation.
• Expert knowledge of the entrepreneurial field through experiences in the industry and/or with academic research.
• Highly sophisticated skills in analysis, executive advising, strategy development, systems planning and change management.
• Expert leadership abilities and interpersonal skills to effectively lead, motivate and influence others.
• Strong ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders (such as campus staff partners, faculty/researchers, students, private industry representatives, etc) and lead groups toward common goals. Ability to collaborate with diverse faculty in top tier academic setting to influence cross-functional key stakeholders.
• Ability to navigate complex, decentralized, and matrixed organizational environments; possess political acumen.
• Expert skills to work collaboratively and act persuasively in sensitive situations; skills in conflict management techniques.
• Strong management skills to oversee complex teams / functions / programs, people, and budget.
• Ability to establish goals at macro-level and lead subordinate management to develop goals in alignment with mission.
• Ability to establish metrics for department and employee goals which measure effectiveness of contributions to efficient operations of the department.
• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.

• Entrepreneurial experience in a leveraged organization generating $500M in revenue or more, experience as a startup founder, and/or experience working in or with a venture capital or
  private equity portfolio company.
• Highly sophisticated knowledge of administrative management theory and ability to translate into practice.
• Advanced degree (MBA, JD or PhD in related field).

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $250,900-$355,500.

The full salary range associated with the job classification is $198,600-$407,800.

To apply for official consideration, please submit your resume and cover letter via this portal and posting.

To learn more about the HR process for UC Berkeley recruitments, please review our FAQs: hr.berkeley.edu/faq/job-applicant.

Inquiries and nominations (not required) may be emailed to Berkeley Executive Search (BES) team at executivesearch@berkeley.edu.

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.