Executive Director

Illinois Manufacturing Institute

Materials Research Laboratory

The Grainger College of Engineering

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) is seeking to fill a position for Executive Director of the Illinois Manufacturing Institute (IMI), housed in the Materials Research Laboratory (MRL) in The Grainger College of Engineering. The Illinois Manufacturing Institute will provide technical and programmatic leadership for the more than 50 faculty and hundreds of students and staff at UIUC working on advanced manufacturing. The Executive Director will have the following responsibilities:

• Develop and enhance partnerships related to building a world-class manufacturing ecosystem in the Midwest.

o Provide leadership and assist in standing up and growing partnerships with the Department of Defense and other federal agencies related to manufacturing and supply chain.

o Build a coalition of industrial, academic, research institutions, government, and other interested stakeholders to drive research, education, and technology development.

o Engage with the national ecosystem of manufacturing institutes, trade associations, and nonprofit organizations that convene and promote collaborations in advanced manufacturing.

o Represent UIUC to state and federal funding agencies related to advanced manufacturing.

o Represent UIUC to regional, national, and international businesses that desire to work with the university on research and education related to advanced manufacturing.

o Identify and solidify critical collaborations and partnerships across academic institutions, public and private sector entities, and national laboratories.

o Articulate the long-term and short-term technical projects and program goals to stakeholders.

o Coordinate across multiple disciplines (e.g., engineering, humanities, and education) and external entities to develop and implement a manufacturing strategy for the state and surrounding region.

• Provide technical leadership to further the advanced manufacturing portfolio at UIUC.

o Work closely with UIUC’s manufacturing experts and university administrators to develop, drive, shape, and articulate UIUC’s role in the regional and national ecosystems of manufacturing technology, research, and education.

o Identify and accelerate the translation of UIUC research to industrial partners and applications.

o Lead the development of technical roadmaps in key topic areas such as additive manufacturing, metals and composites, bio-manufacturing, supply chain, autonomy and robotics in manufacturing, artificial intelligence in manufacturing, digital manufacturing systems, and advanced computing and electronics applied to manufacturing.

o Engage with the scientific community regarding challenges and opportunities in manufacturing research, technology, and workforce development.

o Guide investments in technologies and infrastructure across multiple disciplines, agencies, and the region.

• Provide operational leadership for the Illinois Manufacturing Institute.

o Lead and/or facilitate the development of large, center-scale proposals for federal and state funding in support of research, education, and technology development.

o Enable multi-disciplinary and multi-organization teams to submit proposals for funding that advance a vision for advanced manufacturing.

o Coordinate large-scale research centers or institutes and develop the strategies and necessary tactics that drive impactful funding, research, and work-force development outcomes that place UIUC among the national leaders in manufacturing research and education.

o Develop strategies for engaging with the manufacturing community and stakeholder groups on an off campus and within partner organizations, including workshops, newsletters, and other marketing activities.

o Travel occasionally (approximately 2-3 days/month) throughout the region and nation for meetings, workshops, and other events.

o Perform other duties as assigned.

While there are currently no direct reports, supervisory duties may be added in the future based on the evolution of IMI.

Required Qualifications:

• B.S. degree in mechanical engineering, materials science, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, physics, computer science, or related field.
• Five years of demonstrated experience managing technical project teams on manufacturing-related topics.
• Five years of demonstrated skills in intellectual leadership, communication of complex technical concepts, and management of technical and business teams.
• Demonstrated technical expertise and exposure to the advanced manufacturing industry.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work with diverse stakeholders (e.g., scientific community, government officials, federal agencies, corporate entities, non-profit entities, academic institutions, policymakers, and non-technical personnel).
• Track record of developing successful initiatives/programs and obtaining funding to support the programs.
• Demonstrated operations experience to lead teams and guide investments.

Preferred Qualifications:

• M.S. or Ph.D. degree in mechanical engineering, materials science, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, manufacturing engineering, physics, computer science, or related field.
• MBA with a focus on manufacturing-related activities
• Ten or more years of experience in manufacturing research and development with a track record of successful technology developments, inventions, and/or products and services.
• Ten or more years of demonstrated expertise in one or more areas of advanced manufacturing including additive manufacturing, metals and composites, bio-manufacturing, supply chain, autonomy and robotics in manufacturing, and advanced computing and electronics applied to manufacturing.
• Demonstrated business acumen.
• Knowledge of communities and public/private sector manufacturing entities throughout Illinois and across the nation.
• Understanding of the federal funding landscape for manufacturing programs and technologies.
• Understanding of the defense manufacturing ecosystem including government and nonprofit organizations.
• Cross functional experience in academic, government, and/or corporate settings.
• Familiarity with higher education environment.
• Experience working with or in national laboratories or defense laboratories.

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible academic professional position appointed on a 12-month service basis (See https://www.hr.uillinois.edu/benefits for details). The expected start date is as soon as possible, based on the business needs of the organization. Salary and position level are commensurate with experience and qualifications. The typical salary range for this position is $125,000 to $175,000. The individual hired into this position will be expected to work onsite on a full-time basis. We are willing to support candidates who require work authorization sponsorship. It is important to note that candidates must have the ability to obtain national security clearance at the point of hire and in the future based upon research requirements.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND DEADLINE INFORMATION

Applications must be received by February 14, 2025. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Please upload your cover letter, resume, and names/contact information for three references as a single PDF. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact Summer Redman at sredman@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.