Pay Grade/Pay Range: Minimum: $83,500 - Midpoint: $112,700 (Salaried E13)
Department/Organization: 704102 - Office for ASSIST
Normal Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm
Job Summary: The ASSIST Industry Program Manager advances the University's mission to accelerate innovation, drive commercialization, and amplify economic impact through robust engagement with industry and public sector partners. Aligns faculty research strengths with market opportunities, supporting translational development of early-stage technologies, and cultivating high-impact public-private partnerships. Coordinates research strategy, guiding proposal development, facilitating commercialization pathways, and implementing innovation programs; particularly those focused on industry-facing collaborations.
Additional Department Summary: Industry ASSIST is more than just an office, it is a dynamic platform for innovation, collaboration, and impact. Built from the ground up with a mission to advance research to relevance, this office will serve as UA’s “front door” to innovation. Whether guiding a faculty member from discovery to deployment, matching startups with industry mentors, or engaging companies to co-create solutions. Industry ASSIST is where ideas meet opportunity.
Required Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree and four (4) years of experience in research administration, research development, technology transfer, research innovation, or research industry engagement; Master's degree and two (2) years of experience in research administration, research development, technology transfer, research innovation, or research industry engagement; OR doctorate degree and some experience in research administration, research development, technology transfer, research innovation, or research industry engagement.
Skills and Knowledge: Visionary leadership and entrepreneurial mindset. Deep understanding of research commercialization and innovation ecosystems. · Strong strategic planning and project management skills. Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management capabilities. Ability to work across academic, corporate, and government environments with high-level influence. Demonstrated success in building cross-sector partnerships, securing external funding, and managing complex innovation ecosystems. Track record of launching startups, managing accelerators, or leading technology transfer offices.
Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree or higher in science, engineering, business, innovation, or public policy and ten (10) years of progressive leadership experience in research administration, industry engagement, technology commercialization, or economic development.
Background Investigation Statement: Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.
Equal Employment Opportunity: The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment or volunteer status without regard to any legally protected basis and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. More information is available in the EEOC’s Know Your Rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal poster.
