Princeton University · 3 hours ago
Director of Innovation and Partnerships
Princeton, NJ
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
$211K/yr - $231K/yr
10+ years expPrinceton University is a prestigious institution that has launched the New Jersey AI Hub in collaboration with various partners to foster innovation in artificial intelligence. They are seeking a Director of Innovation & Partnerships to lead the development and implementation of strategies that enhance New Jersey's AI ecosystem, focusing on partnerships, commercialization, and sustainable funding.
AlumniEducationHigher EducationUniversities
Responsibilities
Work closely with Executive Director to design and execute a multi-year strategy to grow and strengthen New Jersey’s AI innovation ecosystem
Identify market gaps across the AI innovation lifecycle, from R&D to commercialization, scale, and adoption, to inform programming and partnership development
Strengthen connections between government, academia, industry, and capital to ensure coordinated ecosystem growth
Develop KPIs for the Hub’s innovation strategy and track outcomes
Design innovation strategy’s contributions to the Hub’s financial sustainability model, including revenue-generating opportunities, philanthropic support, and sustainable funding models for innovation programs
Cultivate partnerships with industry, academic institutions, venture capital firms, startups, incubators/accelerators, national labs, and philanthropic partners to execute on the innovation ecosystem strategy
Work closely with partners to co-develop programs, pilots, and investment opportunities
Oversee design and execution of AI-focused innovation programs, including a startup accelerator and a pipeline of support services and capital access for startups at various stages, including by working with Executive Director to attract venture capital to New Jersey-based start-ups
Cultivate corporate innovation partnerships by connecting industry leaders with startups, researchers, and pilot opportunities to accelerate technology adoption, drive joint ventures, and unlock new commercialization pathways
As needed, coordinate with government, private sector, and educational institutions to build enabling infrastructure (labs, testbeds, sandboxes, datasets)
Create visibility and momentum around the AI innovation ecosystem through convenings, showcases, challenges, and thought leadership
Embed an economic development mindset into all innovation efforts, ensuring local communities and regions benefit from and contribute to AI’s growth in New Jersey
Coordinate with regional innovation stakeholders, particularly fellow Strategic Innovation Centers, to build an inclusive innovation ecosystem across New Jersey
Qualification
Required
10+ years of experience in innovation, technology commercialization, venture development, revenue generation and ecosystem-building roles in government, academia, or industry
Familiarity with the AI innovation lifecycle, including R&D, startup formation, acceleration, capital raising, and market scaling
Proven ability to broker complex partnerships and align diverse stakeholders toward a common vision
Demonstrated success in building or scaling innovation programs or ecosystems
Strategic thinker with operational acumen; able to develop and execute on a vision
Experience working in or alongside revenue-generating or fundraising initiatives
Excellent communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills
Preferred
Experience working with academia, government, and the private sector
Strong networks across the AI and emerging tech ecosystem, including startups, VCs, researchers, and anchor institutions
Knowledge of inclusive innovation principles and experience applying them in program or ecosystem design
Strong technical understanding of AI, with the ability to collaborate closely with startup teams on engineering architecture, system design, and implementation
Benefits
Comprehensive benefit program
Company
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private Ivy League university that offers a variety of master’s degrees and Ph. D.s.
5001-10000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Princeton University has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (237)
2024 (229)
2023 (227)
2022 (172)
2021 (207)
2020 (193)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$11.44MKey Investors
US Department of EnergyAlfred P. Sloan FoundationNational Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
2024-06-06Grant· $2M
2023-08-14Grant
2022-02-15Grant· $5.5M
Leadership Team
Amy Robinson Sterling
Executive Director, Eyewire
Anne-Marie Maman
Founding Director - Princeton Entrepreneurship Council
Recent News
2025-12-28
2025-12-22
Crunchbase News
2025-12-16
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