Executive Director of the Metro State Applied Innovation Institute (MSAII)

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Working Title:

Executive Director of the Metro State Applied Innovation Institute (MSAII)

Institution:

Metropolitan State University

Classification Title:

Non Employee

Bargaining Unit / Union:

Contingent Workers

City:

St. Paul

FLSA:

Non Job Exempt

Full Time / Part Time:

Full time

Employment Condition:

Volunteer

Salary Range:

(Please disregard the Volunteer employment status, this is a MSAII paid position)

Job Description:

Metro State Applied Innovation Institute (MSAII) is an independent 501 (c) (3) foundation established to support and conduct scientific research and educational and informational activities in areas such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and other related cutting-edge technologies for the benefit of Metro State University, Minnesota’s public, urban university with robust academic programs in these fields. Metropolitan State is recognized by CollegeNet as a leading higher education promoter of social mobility for students (Ranked # 12 out of 1,398 in 2026) and is ranked by Washington Monthly as #13 out 585 national Master’s Universities and one of its twenty-five Best in Class Colleges.

MSAII is seeking to hire an Executive Director. This is a full-time position within MSAII; thus, the Executive Director is not a State of Minnesota employee.

Responsibilities:

The Executive Director provides executive leadership and works closely with the Board of the Metro State Applied Innovation Institute (MSAII) to set and achieve strategic goals in alignment with the needs of the university’s related academic programs. The executive director provides business, administrative, operational, partnership, and sustainability leadership for MSAII. The position is responsible for translating the Institute’s strategies into functioning operating models, revenue-generating service lines, budgets, staffing structures, partner agreements, project workflows, and implementation plans.

The Executive Director works in close collaboration with the Chief Innovation and Research Officer and other Institute and university employees, and external stakeholders to build a hybrid academic, research, workforce, outreach, and applied innovation enterprise. The role is expected to support contract research, sponsored projects, cybersecurity and AI training programs, cyber range services, employer-facing solutions, defense-adjacent initiatives, public-sector technology capacity building, and other mission-aligned activities.

This position is primarily responsible for ensuring that the Institute’s business model, financial systems, external partnerships, internal processes, and project commitments are realistic, sustainable, properly documented, and fulfills the purpose of building Metro State University’s research enterprise. More specifically:

1.Institute Operations and Business Model Development

The Executive Director develops and manages the Institute’s sustainable operating model, including revenue-generating training, contract research, sponsored projects, cyber range services, certification preparation, and custom employer solutions.

2. External Partnerships and Client Relationship Management

In collaboration with the Chief Innovation and Research Officer, the Executive Director serves as an external-facing representative of the Institute with business, government, defense, nonprofit, education, workforce, and community partners.

3. Contract Research and Sponsored Project Support

The Executive Director supports the business and administrative aspects of contract research, STTR-related activities, appropriations-funded work, sponsored projects, and applied innovation projects.

4. Training, Certification, and Revenue-Generating Programs

The Executive Director oversees the business model for training, certification, and other revenue-generating programs associated with the Institute.

5. Financial Management and Sustainability

The Executive Director is responsible for developing and monitoring the financial model necessary to sustain and grow the Institute.

6. Internal Coordination and Governance

The Executive Director coordinates with the MSAII Board and across Metro State units, faculty leads, staff, external partners, and Minnesota State system offices as needed.

7. Strategic Growth and Institutional Positioning

The Executive Director works with Institute leadership and the board to position MSAII as a statewide and regional leader in cybersecurity, AI, applied innovation, defense-adjacent workforce development, public-sector technology capacity, and responsible technology adoption.

Salary Range:

$210,000 to $225,000 annually.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree
• Four years of leadership in business development, sponsored project, nonprofit, or research administration experience.
• Experience with budget development, revenue modeling, developing and managing grants or contracts or fee-for-service programs.
• Experience working with universities, government agencies, nonprofits, industry partners, and public-sector organizations.
• Demonstrated success in collaborating cross-institutionally and with external organizations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree.
• Degree or Certificate in business, public administration, nonprofit management, higher education administration, technology management.
• Experience building or scaling a nonprofit, research institute, innovation center, workforce intermediary, training enterprise, or fee-for-service program.
• Experience with sponsored research, STTR/SBIR-adjacent work, government contracting, public/private partnerships, or defense-adjacent projects.
• Familiarity with university governance, faculty roles, labor considerations, grants administration, procurement, finance, and compliance routing.
• Experience developing revenue-generating training, certification preparation, cyber range services, continuing education, or employer-facing workforce programs.
• Experience preparing board materials, executive briefings, proposals, budgets, dashboards, and strategic plans.
• Familiarity with Minnesota cybersecurity, AI, workforce, public-sector technology, or defense innovation ecosystems.

Application: To apply, go to https://www.metrostate.edu/about/employment

*To comply with privacy and data practices requirements, please refrain from including personal information or photographs in your application materials.

Open Until Filled. Priority Applications must be received by 11:59 PM on September 22nd, 2026.

Qualified applicants are required to attach the following documents to their online application:

• Cover letter of interest addressing your interest and qualifications for the position.
• Current curriculum vita or resume
• Names of four (4) references with addresses, email addresses and telephone numbers

For TTY, call Minnesota Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-627-3529.

MSAII is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

The Institute provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The following benefits information does not apply to this position. Benefits are administered by MSAII.

Benefits Information:

At Minnesota State, we take your well-being and work-life balance seriously. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that features low-cost medical and dental insurance with affordable deductibles, employer-paid life insurance, short- and long-term disability, and pre-tax healthcare and dependent care accounts with a roll-over option. To further support your holistic health, employees also have access to a confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health, legal, and financial counseling. Detailed plan details, rates, and coverage choices can be reviewed directly via the State Employee Group Insurance Program (SEGIP) website.

To support your life outside of work, our package includes 12 paid holidays, generous vacation and sick time, and six weeks of Paid Parental Leave. We also help you secure your financial future with a robust Pension Plan, 457(b) and 403(b) retirement accounts, and various investment options. Furthermore, we invest in your growth by providing dedicated professional development and tuition waivers for both you and your dependents. Please note that specific benefit eligibility and coverage levels may vary depending on the type of position, employee classification, and collective bargaining agreements.

Desired Start Date:

Position End Date:

Open Date:

09-08-2026

Close Date:

10-30-2026

Posting Contact Name:

Kevin Earl Thompson

Posting Contact Email:

[email protected]