University of Rochester · 15 hours ago
Executive Director, STELLAR Program
Rochester, NY
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
$205K/yr - $328K/yr
10+ years expThe University of Rochester is dedicated to fostering an inclusive community and is seeking an Executive Director for the STELLAR Program. The Executive Director will lead the initiative aimed at advancing a regional innovation ecosystem focused on laser technology and will be responsible for strategic direction, financial stewardship, and stakeholder engagement.
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Responsibilities
Provide executive leadership and overall direction for STELLAR, with authority and responsibility for the entire initiative, ensuring alignment with NSF priorities, award terms and conditions, and the University’s research, innovation, and economic development goals
Lead the development, implementation, and continuous refinement of STELLAR’s long-term strategic plan and annual operating plan, advancing NSF’s goals related to research, translational impact, workforce development, and broadening participation;; clearly communicate the vision, strategy, and performance expectations to senior University leadership, board members, staff, and external partners
Direct and oversee STELLAR’s organizational structure, staffing, and operations, including recruitment and supervision of senior personnel responsible for finance, program management, communications, and partnerships
Ensure STELLAR meets or exceeds all programmatic, financial, and performance objectives, including compliance with NSF award requirements, reporting obligations, and University policies
Identify, launch, and advance new initiatives and strategic partnerships to address emerging regional, institutional, and NSF priorities in innovation, workforce development, and technology transfer
Serve as the principal institutional representative and liaison for STELLAR, maintaining high-level relationships with University leadership, faculty, regional stakeholders, economic development organizations, industry partners, and government agencies
Provide executive-level coordination and open communication among major internal and external stakeholders
Inform, advise, and engage the Board of Directors; support governance functions, strategic decision-making, and performance oversight
Build and sustain collaborative, mission-driven partnerships that produce measurable economic, research, and workforce development outcomes
Lead engagement with entrepreneurs, faculty innovators, and startups to advance STELLAR’s technology commercialization and innovation pipeline
Exercise fiduciary responsibility for STELLAR’s financial health through financial oversight and long-term sustainability planning
Maintain and strengthen relationships with the various funding agencies and partners, including NSF, while identifying and securing new sources of support
Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, sponsor, and University financial, contractual, and reporting requirements
Partner with University research administration, finance, and legal offices to ensure effective stewardship of sponsored funds and institutional resources
Provide executive oversight of STELLAR’s marketing and communications strategy to strengthen visibility, credibility, and impact at the regional and national levels
Champion STELLAR’s brand and value proposition with senior leaders, funding agencies, policymakers, and other external stakeholders
Guide and review STELLAR publicity, including building relationships with press
Establish and oversee policies, processes, and performance metrics that promote operational excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement based on stakeholder and client needs
Build, mentor, and evaluate a high-performing STELLAR leadership team
Promote a culture of collaboration, compliance, innovation, and service consistent with University values and NSF expectations
Ensure STELLAR’s operations effectively meet the needs of stakeholders, clients, and partners while advancing institutional and regional impact
Qualification
Required
Advanced technical degree in optics or related science/engineering fields
10 years of managerial responsibility (preferably in an entrepreneurial setting)
Demonstrated ability to establish business, university, non-profit, and community partnerships required
Record of successful engagement with businesses and an understanding of their needs required
Experience with R&D and workforce development coordination required
Experience in working within the regulatory framework of State and Federal funding required
Experience in technology commercialization and/or working with or consulting with a technology company required
Economic development or business incubator experience including the recruitment and coordination of mentors and consultants required
Experience working with nonprofit and/or government funding agencies and sources required
Preferred
Experience with a start-up company preferred
Experience raising venture financing or working with the venture capital community preferred
Company
University of Rochester
The University of Rochester is a private research university located in Rochester, New York.
10001+ employees
H1B Sponsorship
University of Rochester has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (234)
2024 (126)
2023 (130)
2022 (106)
2021 (100)
2020 (92)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$20.43MKey Investors
National Science FoundationUnitedHealthcareSociety to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine
2023-09-25Grant· $18M
2023-07-26Grant· $0.07M
2022-09-20Grant· $0.05M
Leadership Team
David Linehan
Chief Executive Officer
Recent News
2025-12-04
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