Online applications must be received before 11:59pm on:
December 9, 2026 If a date is not listed above, review the Applicant Instructions below for more details.
Available Title(s):
1157-NN_ADMINPRO - Assistant Director
Business Title:
Assistant Director, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Employee Type:
Admin. Professional
Position Details:
The Opportunity:
The Office of Research at Washington State University (WSU) is responsible for advancing the research enterprise at WSU systemwide. The Office of Research facilitates all aspects of the research from pre-award to compliance, advancement, development, and commercialization. The Office of Research amplifies WSU's land-grant mission by partnering with the university community, industry leaders, and other stakeholders to advance, extend, and grow the positive impact of WSU research for the state, region, and nation.
The Assistant Director , Innovation & Entrepreneurship is a full-time, 12-month position within the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Team in the Office of Research. The position provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for technology commercialization, intellectual property management, entrepreneurship support, industry engagement, and research translation activities across the Washington State University system.
Consistent with WSU’s commitment to the President’s vision for system-wide integration, the Assistant Director works collaboratively with colleges, campuses, research centers, and external partners to connect discovery, innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic impact across the university.
Reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Innovation & Entrepreneurship, this position is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing activities related to technology management, intellectual property strategy, licensing, startup creation, industry-sponsored research development, translational funding initiatives, and innovation ecosystem partnerships.
The Assistant Director directly supervises technology commercialization personnel and serves as a senior leader responsible for advancing research translation, innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic impact across the WSU system through integrated engagement with academic, industry, government, and community partners.
Percentage Breakdown of Job Functions:
35% - Administration, Personnel, & Supervision
30% - Direct Intellectual Property Management, Technology Commercialization, Industry Partnerships, & Sponsored Research
10% - Outreach & Education
10% - Budget Management
10% - Strategic Planning
5% - Other
Additional Information:
This is a full time ( 100% FTE), permanent position. This position is overtime exempt.
Monthly Salary:
$7,541.56 - $11,666.67 | Commensurate with experience and qualifications
In accordance with RCW 49.58.110 , the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.
Benefits:
WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts; training and development; and employee tuition waiver. For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for AP staff and Total Compensation .
Required Qualifications:
Positions require a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and four (4) years of progressively responsible relevant experience, which has included at least one (1) year of managerial experience. A Master’s degree in a related field may be substituted for up to one (1) year of the required experience. Any combination of relevant education and professional experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year‐for‐year basis. Education and experience can be tailored to…