Department:
Location:
Non-Campus OtherTime Type:
Full timeWorker Type:
RegularJob Req ID:
R107931Minimum Requirements:
Bachelor's degree in a related field and six (6) years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.Position Description:
The University of Louisville is seeking to hire an Ecosystem Engagement Lead. The OnRamp Hub Ecosystem Engagement Lead will spearhead efforts to build a cohesive defense innovation ecosystem in Kentucky, fostering collaboration among industry, academia, and Department of War (DoW) stakeholders. This role is critical to driving partnerships that result in technology transitions, contract wins, and enhanced support for warfighter needs under a Department of War contract. The Lead will connect regional innovators with DoW priorities, leveraging Kentucky’s unique position to advance cutting-edge technologies such as advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, and energy solutions.
This is grant funded position with funding through August 15, 2027. Continued employment is contingent upon availability of funding.
Key Responsibilities:
Outreach and Networking:
Proactively engage DoW stakeholders, tier one defense contractors (e.g., Raytheon, BAE, Lockheed), small and medium defense innovators, other OnRamp Hubs, and Kentucky’s manufacturer network to promote Hub services and identify commercial technologies for DoW applications.
Conduct targeted outreach to university researchers across the state, investors, and startups to build a robust pipeline of dual-use technology opportunities.
Represent the Hub at regional and national events to expand its visibility and influence within the defense innovation ecosystem.
Ecosystem Building:
Facilitate strategic collaborations among DoW, industry, and academia to strengthen Kentucky’s defense innovation base.
Help organize and host annual innovation summits and regular networking events to foster partnerships and knowledge exchange.
Develop and maintain relationships with major defense contractors and regional innovators to drive collaborative projects and contract opportunities.
Mission Partner Support:
Support DoW intrapreneurs through targeted engagements, including workshops with the McConnell Center’s Strategic Broadening Seminar participants and U.S. Army War College Fellows.
Align Hub initiatives with warfighter needs, ensuring projects address critical DoW priorities.
Act as a liaison to translate DoW requirements into actionable opportunities for regional innovators.
Technology Scouting:
Identify and evaluate dual-use technologies from regional innovators, leveraging expertise from universities across the state.
Coordinate with universities for technology assessments and oversee focused projects by Technical Scouts developing solutions aligned with Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) priorities, including advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, and energy solutions.
Ensure technologies meet Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) requirements for DoW adoption.
Metrics Tracking:
Collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative data on ecosystem engagement, including TRL/MRL advancements, participant retention, stakeholder shoutouts, and inter-Hub coordination.
Prepare monthly reports to track progress and demonstrate impact to DoW stakeholders and Hub leadership.
Preferred Qualifications:
Education: Advanced degree in STEM, business, or a DOW-related field.
Experience:
Combination of 15+ years of military service, DoW acquisition, or DoW business development experience.
Established network within DoW,
Demonstrated experience engaging defense manufacturers and innovators.
Knowledge of and experience working within combatant commands, with a deep understanding of DoW technology needs and DIU priority areas (e.g., advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, energy solutions).
Prior military service, ideally within Special Operations, and extensive experience working within combatant commands.
Experience working with various and multiple echelon commands within the DoW.
Familiarity with DoW acquisition processes and technology transition frameworks.
Existing relationships with defense contractors, academic institutions, or innovation hubs in Kentucky.
Skills:
Exceptional interpersonal skills to build trust and collaboration among diverse stakeholders.
Ability to bridge commercial and defense communities, translating technical innovations into DoW-relevant solutions.
Strong project management skills to oversee technology scouting and ecosystem-building initiatives.
Proficiency in collecting and analyzing data to track metrics and report outcomes.
Ability to communicate clearly and confidently, with strong writing, speaking, and presentation skills.
Why Join Us? This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of defense innovation in Kentucky, driving impactful partnerships that enhance national security and regional economic growth. As the OnRamp Hub Ecosystem Engagement Lead, you will work at the intersection of cutting-edge technology, military needs, and regional innovation, making a tangible difference for warfighters and the broader defense ecosystem.
How to Apply: Interested candidates should submit their resume and a cover letter detailing their relevant experience and network in Kentucky’s innovation ecosystem online at https://louisville.edu/hr/employment/jobs/. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Note: This position requires regular travel within Kentucky and occasional travel outside the state. Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States and may be subject to a background check due to the sensitive nature of DoW contracts.
Eligible to obtain and maintain a DoW security clearance (Secret or higher).
The position is located in downtown Louisville at the JD Nichols campus for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
Compensation will be commensurate to candidate experience.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of Louisville is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. The University strives to provide equal employment opportunity on the basis of merit and without unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, sex, age, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, veteran status, marital status, or pregnancy. In accordance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Vietnam Era Veteran Readjustment Act of 1974, the University prohibits job discrimination of individuals with disabilities, Vietnam era veterans, qualified special disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, and other protected veterans. The University acknowledges its obligations to ensure affirmative steps are taken to ensure equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employment. It is the policy of the University that no employee or applicant for employment be subject to unlawful discrimination in terms of recruitment, hiring, promotion, contract, contract renewal, tenure, compensation, benefits, and/or working conditions. No employee or applicant for employment is required to endorse or condemn a specific ideology, political viewpoint, or social viewpoint to be eligible for hiring, contract renewal, tenure, or promotion.
Consistent with applicable law, demographic information is collected for aggregate reporting requirements. Demographic information provided through this application is not available to hiring managers/committees and is not considered in hiring or employment decisions.
Assistance and Accommodations
Computers are available for application submission at the Human Resources Department located at 215 Central Avenue, Ste 205 - Louisville, Kentucky 40208.
If you require assistance or accommodation with our online application process, please contact us by email at employment@louisville.edu or by phone 502-852-6258.