UCF Innovate Ambassador Coordinator (TEMP)

College of Engineering and Computer Science:

The UCF College of Engineering and Computer Science is among the nation's largest producers of engineering and technology workforce talent and we are the No. 1 provider of graduates to the defense and aerospace industries. We have more than 40 degree and certificate programs within the college and are continuing to grow. Our students, faculty and alumni address society's greatest challenges and aspirations in aerospace, computing, energy, the environment, healthcare, transportation and more. Our education and research efforts are supported by a strong neighboring industry presence such as L3Harris Corporation, Lockheed Martin, Duke Energy, Siemens, Walt Disney World and NASA, to name a few.

The Opportunity:

The UCF Innovate Ambassador Coordinator is responsible for recruiting, cultivating, and managing relationships with external and internal ambassadors to support the mission of the UCF National Science Foundation Accelerating Research Translation (ART) program (dba UCF Innovate). Ambassadors will be key UCF personnel, external industry and community leaders, investors, UCF alumni, industry and community organizations, and others who desire to engage in various activities that will build awareness of and capacity for moving innovation from the laboratory to the marketplace.

This role ensures that the university maximizes the impact of its research and innovation by engaging with individuals who can support or advance ART initiatives in a meaningful way. The coordinator will coordinate initiatives to enhance engagement, establish partnerships, promote the university's research capabilities, and encourage the translation of research into commercial or societal impact.

The Ambassador Coordinator will work closely with the UCF Innovate Education and Venture Lab coordinators to identify and facilitate opportunities for ambassadors to engage, identify potential ambassadors, and ensure ambassador activities and initiatives align with the overall mission of UCF Innovate.

This position requires an individual who is not only an excellent communicator and relationship manager but also someone who understands the complexities of research translation and commercialization. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker, capable of building and maintaining high-level partnerships that drive meaningful collaboration and innovation for the university.

Responsibilities:

Relationship Management & Engagement

• Identify, recruit, and manage a network of external and internal ambassadors, including investors, research translation experts, and industry and community leaders.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for these ambassadors, ensuring their involvement and satisfaction with UCF Innovate programs and initiatives.

• Foster long-term, collaborative relationships with ambassadors, helping them connect with university departments and faculty for shared objectives.

Partnership Development

• Develop and execute strategies to engage external and internal organizations in UCF Innovate initiatives, with a focus on supporting research commercialization, raising awareness about UCF's research impact, and contributing to the further development of UCF's entrepreneurial culture.

• Coordinate efforts with the UCF Innovate Education and Venture Lab initiatives to align external ambassadors' contributions with university goals and UCF Innovate objectives.

Event Coordination & Outreach

• Plan and execute events, workshops, webinars, and roundtables that bring together external ambassadors with university faculty, staff, and students.

• Plan and execute opportunities for networking and collaboration among the ambassadors (internal and external).

• Support the organization of presentations or discussions to showcase cutting-edge university research to external stakeholders.

Content Creation & Communication

• Develop communication materials, such as newsletters, reports, and presentations, to keep ambassadors informed about university research, initiatives, and outcomes.

• Share relevant research findings, success stories, and impact reports with ambassadors to foster a deeper understanding of the university's innovations and impact.

• Manage communication channels to ensure timely updates and transparent communication with the ambassadors.

Monitoring & Reporting

• Track and analyze the contributions and engagement of external ambassadors, assessing their impact on the university's research translation goals.

• Provide regular reports to UCF Innovate leadership, detailing the progress and outcomes of ambassador-driven initiatives.

• Measure the success of ambassador relationships and propose adjustments to strategies based on feedback and results.

• Coordinate with the Venture Lab and Education committees to ensure data collection and analysis is consistent and shared across the UCF Innovate initiative.

Collaboration & Alignment

• Collaborate with other UCF entities such as the UCF Incubation Program, UCF Corporate Partnerships, to ensure a unified approach to ambassador management.

• Align external engagement activities with the university's broader strategic priorities, such as research excellence, innovation, and economic development.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., business, innovation, science, or technology).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in a relevant field, or professional experience in research commercialization or technology transfer.

• Experience working with external investors, research translation experts, and industry partners.

• Familiarity with academic research environments and the challenges associated with bridging the gap between research and industry applications.

• Proficiency in project management and reporting tools.

• Entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for innovation and societal impact.

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage senior-level executives and external experts.

• Demonstrated ability to organize and manage events and initiatives involving multiple stakeholders.

• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to manage complex, high-impact projects.

Special Instructions to the Applicants:

In addition to the online application, candidates should upload a cover letter and a resume.

NOTE: Please have all documents ready when applying so they can be attached at that time. Once the online submission process is finalized, the system does not allow applicants to submit additional documents later.

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Benefits Eligibility

State Benefits eligibility for OPS employees are subject to criteria established by the State of Florida. The state's benefits administrator, People First, determines eligibility and coordinates enrollment. If this position becomes eligible for state benefits the employee will be notified directly by People First. OPS positions are not entitled to paid time off.

As a Florida public university, the University of Central Florida makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request.

UCF is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.

an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 407-823-1336 or email onac@ucf.edu.