Executive Director -New Jersey Innovation Hub in New Brunswick

Overview

Portal Innovations, LLC, is seeking a highly motivated and organized Executive Director to lead and launch Portal Innovations at the Science Incubator in the New Jersey Innovation Hub (NJIH) at the HELIX NJ in New Brunswick (the “Incubator”).This partnership between New Jersey Innovation Hub and Portal Innovations (“Portal”) will support innovative science-based companies in the areas of life sciences and deep tech. The Executive Director will play a key role in launching the Incubator and leading day to day operations, ensuring that it provides a robust environment for entrepreneurs and companies to thrive. This position requires strong project management skills, a solid understanding of science, startup-mindset, and a passion for fostering innovation.

Key Responsibilities:

Buildout and Launch

• Collaborate with key stakeholders to execute the vision and strategic goals for the Incubator.

• Lead day-to-day operations of the Incubator, ensuring they meet the needs of the companies that will operate in the space; and maintain Portal’s standard of operational excellence.

• Develop and execute programming, events, and marketing strategies to drive membership recruitment and retention, along with stakeholder engagement.

Stakeholder and Membership Engagement

• Drive and execute marketing and sales strategies (including collateral, outreach, and events) to build membership pipeline.

• Proactively solicit and manage incoming leads – schedule meetings, meet with prospective entrepreneurs and companies to determine space and equipment needs, share membership agreement terms, actively follow up to provide requested information and keep leads warm, make prospective member recommendations, negotiate membership agreements/equipment purchases and track pipeline.

• Manage membership pipeline, determine the best location for incoming members lab benches and desks, and execute agreements with prospective entrepreneurs and companies seeking to operate out of the Incubator.

• Build and maintain relationships with vendors to secure sponsorships and discounts for the Incubator and its members.

• Work closely with our partners to leverage both academic and external resources to create and maintain partnerships that actively contribute to the Incubator and member companies.

• Represent the Incubator at community and industry events and networking functions to promote its mission and attract potential participants.

• Prepare requested reports for the Incubator on operations and overall impact, update key stakeholders on a regular cadence.

Operational Oversight

• Work closely with the broader Portal team and leverage resources to execute on and apply the Portal playbook in a new environment to drive utilization, productivity, operational efficiencies and successful outcomes at the incubator.

• Manage day-to-day operations of the Incubator including the staff, vendor contracts, and events, ensuring efficient processes and resource allocation.

• Develop and maintain program documentation, including marketing materials, budgets, timelines, and performance metrics.

• Coordinate with various teams and external partners to ensure the smooth execution of programs and events.

• Manage and oversee site budget, encompassing cost optimization, budget re-forecasting, and related activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Science, Engineering, or a related field.

• Minimum 7 years of experience in program management preferred, preferably within an incubator, accelerator, or startup environment, with a focus on deep-tech sectors and early-stage startups.

• Understanding of life sciences, biotech a plus.

• Experience with business development and/or sales.

• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to multitask and prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment.

• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and networking skills.

• Proficient in project management tools and software.

• Detail-oriented.

• Willingness to get in the weeds and roll up their sleeves.

What we offer

Full-time Benefits:

• Dental Insurance | Health insurance |Vision insurance

• Unlimited PTO

• Parental Leave

• 401K

Annual Compensation: $Base Bonus Potential

Work Authorization/Security-Clearance Requirements: Must be eligible to work in the United States.

Portal is committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status.