CALs Director, Innovation and Engagement (Hybrid)

The Opportunity: 

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Cornell University seeks a dynamic and strategic Director of Innovation and Engagement to help translate world-class research into real-world impact. Reporting to the Associate Dean for Research and Innovation, this role serves as a key connector between faculty, students, industry, investors, and partners—advancing opportunities that bring CALS innovation to market and into communities. 

What You Will Do:

In this highly collaborative role, you will cultivate and grow relationships with corporate, government, and nonprofit partners; support the development of startups and commercialization pathways; and help position CALS as a leader in innovation across areas such as food systems, environmental sustainability, and life sciences. You will work closely with faculty and student innovators and cross-campus partners to identify opportunities, develop strategic initiatives, and manage programs that enhance the visibility, impact, and economic value of CALS research. 

Success in this role requires a blend of strategic thinking, relationship-building, and program execution, along with the ability to navigate a complex, matrixed environment. If you are energized by connecting ideas, people, and resources to drive innovation and societal impact, this is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of research and engagement at Cornell. 

You are considered competitive for this position if you can: 

• Build and sustain high-value partnerships with industry, government, investors, and other external stakeholders that advance CALS research, innovation, and translational impact. 

• Translate faculty research and emerging technologies into real-world impact by supporting technology transfer, licensing opportunities, and the development of startup companies. 

• Work effectively within a complex, matrixed university environment to align faculty, students, administrators, development teams, and innovation partners around shared goals and initiatives. 

•  Lead and manage innovation initiatives, corporate engagement programs, and strategic projects that expand CALS’ innovation portfolio, visibility, and economic impact. 

This is a one-year term appointment with benefits that is able to be extended dependent upon available work, available funding and successful performance.

Department

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and Cornell University’s second largest college. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education, and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: We believe that achieving next-generation scientific breakthroughs requires an understanding of the world’s complex, interlocking systems. We believe that access to nutritious food and a healthy environment is a fundamental human right. We believe that ensuring a prosperous global future depends on the ability to support local people and communities everywhere. By working in and across multiple scientific areas, CALS can address challenges and opportunities of the greatest relevance, here in New York, across the nation, and around the world.  

What We Need 

• Bachelor’s degree and 5 to 7 years relevant work experience with a focus on strategy, operations, and program implementation or equivalent combination  

• Experience in organizing and facilitating multi-stakeholder workshops with C-suite executives and senior organizational leaders. 

• Strong interpersonal skills with proven ability to work with diverse audiences in group and one-on-one settings; working effectively with advisory boards and committees, community and funding partners. 

• Ability to work within matrix organization and persuade stakeholders without formal reporting lines 

• Structured problem-solving approach to complex assignments. 

• Operational experience in customer-facing roles with marketing or promotion leadership experience; strong business and investment acumen. 

• Proven organizational and time-management skills. 

• Strong leadership and teamwork skills. 

• Effective written and verbal communication skills. 

• Proficient in Excel, Word, and PowerPoint (can develop high-end presentations, geared toward C- suite executives and other senior leaders), and a good understanding and skill of AI technology and applications. 

• Creativity, energy, motivation and positive enthusiasm. 

• Ability to drive and travel for work. 

• Experience working directly with people from various socioeconomic backgrounds. 

• Experience incorporating the perspectives of multiple communities.  

• Experience working with inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing programs.  

• Experience modeling values that support inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing. 

• Ability to advocate for individuals from a broad range of backgrounds. 

• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.  

• Position requires some evening and weekend work. 

If you have all those things, great! We have a few more things that we would prefer you to have, but it’s ok if you don’t. 

• Master’s degree in business management, Finance, Marketing or Operations 

• Ten or more years of related work experience 

• An advanced degree in science or blend of coursework, experiential education or on-the-job training that covers agriculture and life science, food-climate-environment related businesses, and patent, IP, technology transfer and licensing. 

• Knowledge and experience in current and emerging issues in digital/data/AI science, synthetic biology, One Health, biomedical science, food is medicine and controlled environmental agriculture. 

Rewards and Benefits

• This role requires on‑site work during the initial training period and may transition to a hybrid schedule thereafter, subject to the hiring manager’s approval. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time. 

• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability.

• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell. 

• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell 

• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell 

• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: 

Total Rewards | Working at Cornell.