Assistant Director - da Vinci Center

Summary and Position Overview:
The VCU da Vinci Center for Innovation is a nationally recognized hub for cross-disciplinary collaboration and experiential learning. We bring together students and faculty from across the university to solve real-world problems through innovation and entrepreneurship. From health innovation to social impact ventures, our programs are designed to cultivate the next generation of changemakers.

The Assistant Director at the VCU da Vinci Center for Innovation plays a pivotal leadership role in advancing the university’s cross-disciplinary innovation ecosystem. This position is responsible for the strategic design, implementation, and management of programs that promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and community impact-particularly in health, education, and technology sectors. The Assistant Director will lead efforts to develop inclusive and scalable initiatives that support workforce development, lifelong learning, and health and social innovation.

Ideal candidates will be strategic thinkers and skilled collaborators with a background in innovation facilitation, program design, and partnership development. This role requires a high degree of autonomy, vision, and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities:
The responsibilities of the Assistant Director include, but are not limited to:

Program Strategy & Development

• Lead the creation and expansion of programs aligned with health innovation, workforce development, and lifelong learning.
• Design and deliver accessible tools, workshops, and curricula that promote inclusive innovation practices.
• Scale and sustain strategic initiatives in alignment with university-wide goals.

Partnerships & Ecosystem Building

• Cultivate and manage partnerships with stakeholders across healthcare, education, industry, and community sectors.
• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration among students, faculty, staff, and external partners.
• Represent the da Vinci Center at conferences, forums, and community events to enhance visibility and engagement.

Program Management & Operations

• Oversee the operations of multiple innovation programs, including Shift Health, ensuring quality and impact.
• Supervise a growing team of three or more full-time staff and lead cross-functional project teams.
• Manage program budgets, track spending, and ensure compliance with university and sponsor policies.
• Resolve operational challenges independently and efficiently.

Evaluation & Continuous Improvement

• Design and implement program evaluation frameworks to measure outcomes and inform improvements.
• Use data and stakeholder feedback to refine program offerings and enhance learner and partner experiences.
• Contribute to institutional learning by sharing insights, metrics, and best practices.