mHUB · 5 days ago
Executive Director, Incubator
Chicago, IL
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
$175K/yr - $205K/yr
15+ years expmHUB is the nation’s leading independent innovation center dedicated to accelerating hardtech development. The Executive Director, Incubator will lead the mHUB Incubator, responsible for setting and executing growth strategies, driving operational excellence, and expanding membership and programs.
Consumer ElectronicsElectronicsEnergyHardwareInnovation ManagementInternet of ThingsManufacturingMedical DeviceProduct Design
Hiring Manager
Haven Allen
Responsibilities
Drive revenue growth through partnerships, memberships, expansion, and programmatic offerings
Lead ongoing performance tracking, impact metrics, and financial management to ensure profitability and sustainable growth
Establish credibility as an innovation leader nationally, continuing to heighten mHUB’s reputation and prominence as a leading organization in order to attract new members, partners, and ecosystem organizations
Develop and implement a strategic growth plan and potential geographic expansion for the Incubator, aligning with mHUB’s overall mission and organizational goals
Establish and sustain a best-in-class member experience that positions mHUB as the nation’s premier hardtech incubator
Drive growth in activity within the incubator, increasing daily traffic and annual visitors and raising mHUB’s prominence nationally
Lead development of innovative programming, mentorship networks, and partnerships that directly increase the growth, investment readiness, and commercialization success of member companies
Build scalable systems to measure and continuously improve member company outcomes, using data to inform resource allocation and new program development
Champion a culture of performance, learning, and accountability across teams that support the member community
Oversee incubator operations, including member experience, educational programs, community engagement, prototyping lab operations, and access initiatives, ensuring efficiency, consistency, and measurable impact. This includes overseeing incubator operations and member experience at mHUB’s 80,000 sf innovation center
Manage the incubator’s P&L, staffing, and resource allocation to achieve growth targets while maintaining fiscal responsibility
Continuously evaluate and improve operational systems, member engagement models, and innovation infrastructure
Build and maintain strategic relationships with manufacturers, national labs, universities, incubators, community organizations, and public sector partners
Position mHUB as a national model for hardtech innovation through public representation, thought leadership, and ecosystem collaboration
Partner with mHUB’s development and marketing teams to secure visibility and funding for incubator initiatives and member success stories
Collaborate closely with mHUB’s executive leadership, Hardtech Development Services and Ventures teams to ensure seamless integration of services, product development support, and investment opportunities for member companies
Participate in mHUB’s overall organizational strategy, helping to shape a unified vision for growth and impact
Qualification
Required
15+ years of progressive leadership experience, including 7+ years with direct P&L responsibility and proven success growing a division, business unit, or large-scale program
Demonstrated experience leading multi-disciplinary teams in entrepreneurial, innovation, or complex organizational environments
Proven success in securing and managing multiple sources to generate revenue through sales and other funding (corporate, philanthropic, and public)
Track record of developing high-performing programs and partnerships that yield measurable outcomes for companies or entrepreneurs
Strong financial acumen, operational management, and communication skills
Deep understanding of innovation ecosystems, technology commercialization, and/or manufacturing industries
Bachelor's degree required
Preferred
Advanced degree in Business, Policy, Engineering, or related field
Experience as an entrepreneur or in leadership role in an entrepreneurial settings
Benefits
Bonus incentive compensation
Other employee carried interest sharing programs
Generous PTO
401(k) plan
Medical plans
Vision plans
Dental plans
Participation in carried interest profit sharing
Company
mHUB
mHUB is a leading innovation center for hardtech commercialization
11-50 employees
H1B Sponsorship
mHUB 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
2023 (1)
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageTotal Funding
$9.62MKey Investors
US Department of EnergyUS Department of Commerce, Economic Development AdministationThe Searle Funds at the Chicago Community Trust
2025-07-15Grant· $0.59M
2024-03-26Grant· $0.25M
2024-03-24Grant· $0.68M
Leadership Team
Manas Mehandru
Chief Operating Officer
Melissa Lederer
Chief Experience Officer
Recent News
2025-11-03
Technology Review
2025-11-03
Company data provided by crunchbase