Managing Director

Online applications must be received before 11:59pm on:

If a date is not listed above review the Applicant Instructions below for more details.

Available Title(s):

Business Title:

Employee Type:

Position Details:

The Opportunity:
The Office of Research at Washington State University (WSU) is responsible for advancing the research enterprise at WSU systemwide. The Office of Research facilitates all aspects of the research from pre-award to compliance advancement development and commercialization. The Office of Research amplifies WSUs land-grant mission by partnering with the university community industry leaders and other stakeholders to advance extend and grow the positive impact of WSU research for the state region and nation.

• The Managing Director serves as the chief executive and strategic leader of the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) OnRamp Hub providing vision direction and oversight for all Hub operations partnerships programs and personnel.
• Reporting to university leadership and serving as the primary interface with DIU leadership the Managing Director is responsible for ensuring the Hub advances DIUs mission achieves all Cooperative Agreement requirements and strengthens Washingtons role within the national defense innovation ecosystem.
• This position provides strategic leadership for the Hubs engagement with industry academia investors entrepreneurs government agencies and defense stakeholders.
• The Managing Director aligns regional innovation capabilities with Department of Defense priorities fosters technology transition opportunities and ensures operational excellence across all Hub functions.
• The role requires a highly visible leader capable of building trusted relationships driving mission-focused outcomes and positioning the Hub as a premier defense innovation gateway for Washington and the Pacific Northwest.

Job Functions:

• 40% Strategic Leadership and External Engagement
• 30% Operations Program Management and Compliance
• 25% Personnel and Resource Management
• 5% Other Duties as Assigned

For a detailed overview of the position and its responsibilities please refer to Managing Director Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) OnRamp Hub Office of Research Washington State University position description.

Additional Information:

Screening Begin Date:

This position will remain open until filled. Screening of applicants will begin on Friday October 9 2026.

This is a full time (100% FTE) temporary position. This position is overtime exempt.

Temporary End Date:

This is a temporary position expected to end on October 31 2028. Renewal is dependent on the need for extension and/or if additional funding is secured to extend employment.

Monthly Salary:

$14364.00 - $20833.33 Commensurate with experience and qualifications

In accordance with RCW 49.58.110 the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidates current experience education skills and abilities related to the position.

Benefits:

WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical dental life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation optional supplemental retirement accounts; training and development; and employee tuition waiver. For additional information please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for AP staff and Total Compensation.

Required Qualifications:

• A Bachelors degree in a relevant field and eight (8) years of progressively responsible relevant experience which has included at least three (3) years of managerial experience. A Masters degree in a related field may be substituted for up to one (1) year of the required experience. Education and experience can be tailored to fit the specific organizational entity/directorial assignment.
• Bachelors degree in business public administration engineering technology management innovation economic development national security or a related field.
• Eight (8) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in program management innovation ecosystems technology commercialization defense-related initiatives higher education administration economic development or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex organizations programs or initiatives involving multiple stakeholders.
• Experience managing teams budgets strategic planning efforts and organizational performance.
• Demonstrated effective communication relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with senior leaders across government academia industry and nonprofit sectors.
• Must have or be able to obtain by time of hire a valid drivers license and meet requirements in accordance with SPPM 7.10 and departmental driving standards.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters degree or terminal degree in a related discipline.
• Experience working with the Department of Defense Defense Innovation Unit military innovation organizations federal agencies national laboratories or technology transition programs.
• Experience building and managing public-private partnerships involving government industry academic and investment stakeholders.
• Knowledge of technology transition dual-use technology development commercialization pathways venture capital entrepreneurial ecosystems and innovation policy.
• Experience managing federally funded programs grants cooperative agreements or contracts.
• Familiarity with Washingtons innovation aerospace maritime advanced manufacturing cybersecurity research defense technology and entrepreneurial ecosystems.
• Leadership experience in public-private partnerships or regional innovation initiatives.

Position Sponsorship Eligibility:

Not eligible for work visa sponsorship

About Department/College/Area/ Campus -

For more information about the great work we are doing and to view our mission and values please visit our website: Washington State University Office of Research.

Area/College:

Office of Research

Department Name:

Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) OnRamp Hub

Location:

Seattle WA

Application Instructions:

Applicants must upload the following required documents to their online application. Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements.

1) Resume
2) Cover Letter

External candidates upload all documents in the Application Document section of your application.
Current WSU Employees (internal candidates) before starting your Workday application please use these instructions to update your education and experience in your worker profile in Workday. Internal candidates upload all documents in the Resume/Cover Letter section of your application.

Documents may be submitted as one file or separate files. Applicants are encouraged to upload as a PDF if possible.

Reference contact information will be requested later in the recruitment process through Workday.

Background Check:

This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34 engages in law enforcement requires security clearance interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity has access to personal identifying and/or financial information unsupervised access to university buildings/property or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Time Type:

Position Term:

Washington State University encourages all qualified candidates to apply including members of the military and veterans and persons with disabilities.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services programs activities education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process contact Human Resource Services: (v) Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-; TDD Callers: 1- (f) or .

Notice of Non-Discrimination

In matters of admission employment housing or services or in the educational programs or activities it operates WSU does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual on the basis of sex race color national or ethnic origin physical disability mental disability sensory disability use of a trained service animal age religion creed genetic information marital status sexual orientation gender identity protected veteran status honorably discharged veteran member of the military or immigration or citizenship status except as authorized by federal or state law regulation or government contract.

Inquiries about the application of federal and state laws and regulations (including inquiries regarding the application of Title IX ADA/Section 504 and implementing regulations) as well as reports and complaints of discrimination and harassment can be made verbally or in writing to WSUs Compliance and Civil Rights the Department of Educations Office of Civil Rights or both.

More information resources and contact information are available here: Experience:

Director