Senior Director of Innovation

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

• Business Growth
• Entrepreneurial Acceleration
• Public Education + Awareness

JOB OVERVIEW

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead and execute the AgriNovus Innovation Challenge (Velocity)¸ the organization’s flagship innovation accelerator and primary engine for engaging startups and founders. Work with industry leaders to identify the most emergent needs for innovation across the agbioscience economy and manage a challenge that helps startups and innovators develop technology-driven solutions for the agbioscience economy.
• Manage the development of commissioned research projects aligned annually with Velocity, ensuring all are rooted in industry need and applied to shape industry-advancing programs and projects.
• Assist the organization’s economic development projects that are in the start-up stage in collaboration with partners across state and local government, industry, academia and non-profit partners.
• Create and manage business case ROI tools quantifying the value AgriNovus can deliver through partnership and new engagements with companies, universities, investors and governmental entities.
• Identify and prioritize the opportunities for new agbioscience technologies and global industry trends.
• Support AgriNovus’ engagement with strategic investment initiatives, including Crossroads Health Ventures, as opportunities align with organizational priorities.

• Evaluate AgriNovus’ innovation programs to ensure they deliver measurable results and continuously refine strategies to maximize impact.
• Develop close relationships and alignment with key industry stakeholders, community partners and AgriNovus team members.
• Collaborate with fellow Central Indiana Corporate Partnership initiatives (Ascend Indiana, Biocrossroads, Conexus and TechPoint) to develop cross-industry programs and engagement to fuel agbioscience innovation.
• Work as a member of the AgriNovus team to cultivate financial support from partners across industry, academia, government and charitable interests to fund innovation challenges and operations.
• Leverage and engage your external network to ensure innovators, companies and potential partners are aware of the agbioscience innovation in Indiana.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• BA/BS business degree or a related discipline
• Minimum 8+ years of experience in innovation, venture, startup, corporate innovation, economic development, or related high-growth environments.
• Strong preference for additional experience raising venture capital, building a startup or leading innovation challenges.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to combine rigorous analysis and creative problem solving to translate ideas into actionable initiatives.
• Ability to translate vision into requirements and execute go-to-market programs and events.
• Entrepreneurial self-starter with demonstrated ability to operate with urgency, manage multiple priorities and deliver results in fast-moving environments.
• Strong project management skills: well-organized, structured approach, ability to achieve tight timelines on complex deliverables.
• Demonstrated strong verbal, written and interpersonal skills combined with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage effectively across industry, academia, government and entrepreneurial communities.

COMPETITIVE BENEFITS:

• 100% of healthcare and dental premiums are paid for individuals and family.
• Pre-tax & Roth 401(k) Retirement Plan with generous match: 5% contributed by the employer regardless of employee contribution and up to an additional 5% employee voluntary contribution eligible to be matched by the employer.
• Company-paid group life benefits as well as company-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance.
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) including 17 holidays.
  • Office location at 16 Tech Innovation District with hybrid remote flexibility.