Inside Higher Ed
Chief Innovation and Entrepreneurship Officer (0550U) 80443
Inside Higher Ed, Berkeley, California, United States, 94709
Chief Innovation and Entrepreneurship Officer (0550U) 80443
Hit Apply below to send your application for consideration Ensure that your CV is up to date, and that you have read the job specs first. Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features.
About Berkeley
At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty and staff.
As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic and social value. We are looking for applicants who reflect California’s diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.
At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups. Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.
Departmental Overview
The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research (VCRO) has managerial responsibility for Berkeley’s research enterprise. It seeks to maintain a research environment that fosters creativity, collaboration and community. Its goals include providing support for campus-wide research efforts, advocating for research needs and resources, and maximizing the benefits of Berkeley’s research to the scholarly community and to the wider community. Under the VCRO, the Office of the Chief Innovation and Entrepreneurship Officer maintains a research environment that fosters creativity, collaboration and community. Its goals include supporting campus-wide research efforts, advocating for research needs and resources, and maximizing benefits to the scholarly community and the public good. The Chief Innovation and Entrepreneurship Officer (CIEO), established in 2020, is a high-profile position reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Research. The CIEO oversees, through senior managers, the Office of Intellectual Property and Industry Alliances (IPIRA) including the Office of Technology Licensing (OTL) and Industry Alliances Office (IAO), Berkeley SkyDeck Accelerator, and the Innovative Genomics Institute IP Office. The CIEO leads with vision and collaboration to strengthen a network of startup incubators, accelerators and entrepreneurial programs across Berkeley. The CIEO also serves as UC Berkeley’s ambassador for innovation and entrepreneurship, cultivating strategic partnerships and representing the University in high-level engagements with stakeholders across Silicon Valley and beyond.
Application Review Date
The position was posted August 14, 2025. The application review process will begin after mid-September. The position will remain open until filled.
Responsibilities The Chief Innovation and Entrepreneurship Officer (CIEO) provides strategic leadership and coordination for UC Berkeley’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. The role unifies and strengthens campus-wide entrepreneurial efforts, manages key innovation-focused units, and represents the University in external partnerships. The CIEO will:
Strategically advance Berkeley’s I&E ecosystem as a pathway for translating knowledge into societal impact; build partnerships with external entities and promote opportunities to students, postdocs and faculty; ensure alignment with Berkeley’s public mission and values.
Serve as convener of the Innovation & Entrepreneurship (I&E) Council to maximize collaboration and reduce overlap between resource units.
Work with VCR to establish a technology advisory board for guidance on technology evaluation, IP portfolio management, and related matters.
Provide leadership to teams for Berkeley’s IP licensing strategy, centering inventor interests and maximizing returns to the campus and positive global impact.
Lead development of mechanisms to maximize returns to the University, including collaboration with UCOP.
Collaborate with campus senior management on IP issues, licensing negotiations, and related matters.
Serve as ex-officio member of the Berkeley SkyDeck Board of Directors.
Required Qualifications
Extensive experience in business development, IP management, or strategic investments to drive innovation and industry transformation.
Expert knowledge of the entrepreneurial field through industry experience and/or academic research.
Strong analytic, advisory, strategy development, and change management skills.
Leadership abilities to motivate and influence others and to build relationships with diverse stakeholders.
Ability to navigate complex, decentralized, matrixed organizations with political acumen.
Conflict management and persuasive collaboration skills.
Strong management skills for overseeing complex teams, programs, budgets, and operations.
Bachelor’s degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
Preferred Qualifications
Entrepreneurial experience in a leveraged organization generating $500M+ revenue, startup founder experience, or venture capital/private equity exposure.
Advanced degree (MBA, JD, or PhD in a related field).
Salary & Benefits For information on UC Berkeley’s comprehensive benefits package, visit the Compensation & Benefits website. The posted budgeted salary range is $250,900–$355,500; the full range is $198,600–$407,800.
How To Apply Submit your resume and cover letter via the portal and posting: jobs.berkeley.edu, job number 80443. Questions may be directed to the Berkeley Executive Search team via email.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
This search is supported by Berkeley Executive Search (BES).
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Hit Apply below to send your application for consideration Ensure that your CV is up to date, and that you have read the job specs first. Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features.
About Berkeley
At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty and staff.
As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic and social value. We are looking for applicants who reflect California’s diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.
At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups. Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.
Departmental Overview
The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research (VCRO) has managerial responsibility for Berkeley’s research enterprise. It seeks to maintain a research environment that fosters creativity, collaboration and community. Its goals include providing support for campus-wide research efforts, advocating for research needs and resources, and maximizing the benefits of Berkeley’s research to the scholarly community and to the wider community. Under the VCRO, the Office of the Chief Innovation and Entrepreneurship Officer maintains a research environment that fosters creativity, collaboration and community. Its goals include supporting campus-wide research efforts, advocating for research needs and resources, and maximizing benefits to the scholarly community and the public good. The Chief Innovation and Entrepreneurship Officer (CIEO), established in 2020, is a high-profile position reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Research. The CIEO oversees, through senior managers, the Office of Intellectual Property and Industry Alliances (IPIRA) including the Office of Technology Licensing (OTL) and Industry Alliances Office (IAO), Berkeley SkyDeck Accelerator, and the Innovative Genomics Institute IP Office. The CIEO leads with vision and collaboration to strengthen a network of startup incubators, accelerators and entrepreneurial programs across Berkeley. The CIEO also serves as UC Berkeley’s ambassador for innovation and entrepreneurship, cultivating strategic partnerships and representing the University in high-level engagements with stakeholders across Silicon Valley and beyond.
Application Review Date
The position was posted August 14, 2025. The application review process will begin after mid-September. The position will remain open until filled.
Responsibilities The Chief Innovation and Entrepreneurship Officer (CIEO) provides strategic leadership and coordination for UC Berkeley’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. The role unifies and strengthens campus-wide entrepreneurial efforts, manages key innovation-focused units, and represents the University in external partnerships. The CIEO will:
Strategically advance Berkeley’s I&E ecosystem as a pathway for translating knowledge into societal impact; build partnerships with external entities and promote opportunities to students, postdocs and faculty; ensure alignment with Berkeley’s public mission and values.
Serve as convener of the Innovation & Entrepreneurship (I&E) Council to maximize collaboration and reduce overlap between resource units.
Work with VCR to establish a technology advisory board for guidance on technology evaluation, IP portfolio management, and related matters.
Provide leadership to teams for Berkeley’s IP licensing strategy, centering inventor interests and maximizing returns to the campus and positive global impact.
Lead development of mechanisms to maximize returns to the University, including collaboration with UCOP.
Collaborate with campus senior management on IP issues, licensing negotiations, and related matters.
Serve as ex-officio member of the Berkeley SkyDeck Board of Directors.
Required Qualifications
Extensive experience in business development, IP management, or strategic investments to drive innovation and industry transformation.
Expert knowledge of the entrepreneurial field through industry experience and/or academic research.
Strong analytic, advisory, strategy development, and change management skills.
Leadership abilities to motivate and influence others and to build relationships with diverse stakeholders.
Ability to navigate complex, decentralized, matrixed organizations with political acumen.
Conflict management and persuasive collaboration skills.
Strong management skills for overseeing complex teams, programs, budgets, and operations.
Bachelor’s degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
Preferred Qualifications
Entrepreneurial experience in a leveraged organization generating $500M+ revenue, startup founder experience, or venture capital/private equity exposure.
Advanced degree (MBA, JD, or PhD in a related field).
Salary & Benefits For information on UC Berkeley’s comprehensive benefits package, visit the Compensation & Benefits website. The posted budgeted salary range is $250,900–$355,500; the full range is $198,600–$407,800.
How To Apply Submit your resume and cover letter via the portal and posting: jobs.berkeley.edu, job number 80443. Questions may be directed to the Berkeley Executive Search team via email.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
This search is supported by Berkeley Executive Search (BES).
#J-18808-Ljbffr