Vice Chancellor for Transformative Partnerships and Economic Development

Vice Chancellor for Transformative Partnerships and Economic Development

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Posting Details 

 Position Information 

Position/Classification Title  | Vice Chancellor for Transformative Partnerships and Economic Development
Working Title  | Vice Chancellor for Transformative Partnerships and Economic Development
Position Number  | 617489
FLSA  | Exempt
Appointment Type  | Permanent - Full Time
Tenure Track  | No
FTE  | 1 = 40 hours/week, 12 months
If time limited, duration date  |
Department Hiring Range  |
EEO-1 Category  | Officials & Managers
SOC Code  | 11-9033 - Education Administrators, Postsecondary

 Position Overview 

Be an Eagle - Where Purpose Takes Flight!  | Are you ready to make an impact? At North Carolina Central University (NCCU), we are more than an institution—we are a community rooted in a legacy of excellence and transformation. A historically Black university located in Durham, North Carolina, also known as ‘The City of Medicine,’ NCCU has been a cornerstone of education since 1910, fostering innovation and progress.

Join our team and enjoy a comprehensive benefits package and exclusive perks designed to support your work-life balance. At NCCU, your professional growth will be nurtured, and your contributions will help shape the future for our students and the community we serve. Become part of a legacy that drives change and achievement.

An opportunity awaits you at NCCU, where your purpose can take flight.
Visit NCCU.edu.
Primary Function of Organizational Unit  | North Carolina Central University, with a strong tradition of teaching, research, and service, prepares students to become global leaders and practitioners who transform communities. Through a nationally recognized law school, highly acclaimed and innovative programs in the visual and performing arts, sciences, business, humanities, and education programs, NCCU students are engaged problem solvers. Located in the Research Triangle, the University advances research in the biotechnological, biomedical, informational, computational, behavioral, social, and health sciences. Our students enhance the quality of life of citizens and the economic development of North Carolina, the nation, and the world.

Primary Purpose of Position  | The Vice Chancellor for Transformative Partnerships and Economic Development (VCPED) is a senior executive responsible for advancing the university’s broader strategy of economic growth, innovation, and community engagement. Reporting directly to the Chancellor, the VCPED will lead and build partnerships with industry, government, and community organizations to catalyze regional, state, and national economic development, with a specific focus on growing the university’s research, commercialization, and workforce development efforts.

In addition to overseeing strategic partnerships, the VCPED will manage and provide executive-level leadership to three key university initiatives: the Biomanufacturing Research Institute & Technology Enterprise (BRITE), the Biological and Biomedical Research Institute (BBRI), and the Institute for the Advancement of Economic and Racial Equity (IAIER). While these centers play critical roles in the university’s economic development goals, the VCPED’s primary mission is to grow and expand partnerships across a wide range of sectors beyond these three entities, fostering a broader network of collaboration that enhances the university’s overall impact.


Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities  | Knowledge of economic development, workforce development, technology transfer, and higher education’s role in research commercialization and community engagement. Knowledge of funding mechanisms (federal, state, private foundations, and industry) and principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion. Skill in strategic leadership, partnership development, fundraising, grant writing, organizational management, and effective communication. Ability to build and grow large-scale partnerships, align academic programs with workforce needs, manage complex organizations, and promote inclusive economic growth.

Minimum Education/Experience  | Master’s degree in business, public policy, science/engineering, or related field. Significant executive leadership experience in higher education, industry, government, or economic development. Demonstrated success in developing strategic partnerships, securing external funding, and advancing research commercialization. Proven experience managing budgets, staff, and complex organizations.

Preferred Qualifications Doctorate degree in a relevant field. Experience leading interdisciplinary research initiatives. Established network with industry, government, and philanthropic partners. Demonstrated commitment to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in economic development.

Licenses or Certification required by Statute or Regulation  | N/A
Equal Opportunity Employer  | North Carolina Central University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.

 Primary Responsibilities and Duties 

Function  | Strategic Partnerships & Innovation
Describe the specific tasks and responsibilities related to the function.  | Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive strategy for external partnerships, with a focus on fostering collaboration across industries such as biotechnology, healthcare, manufacturing, social justice, and beyond. Cultivate relationships with business leaders, government agencies, philanthropic organizations, and community stakeholders to drive innovation, research commercialization, and economic development. Identify and create opportunities for strategic partnerships that extend beyond BRITE, BBRI, and IAIER, positioning the university as a leader in diverse sectors such as technology, economic development, and community advancement. Foster innovation-driven collaborations that bring together academic researchers, industry experts, and government leaders to address societal challenges, promote economic growth, and create tangible societal value.Function  | Oversight of BRITE, BBRI, and IAIER

Describe the specific tasks and responsibilities related to the function.  | BRITE: Provide strategic oversight of the Biomanufacturing Research Institute & Technology Enterprise (BRITE), ensuring it drives innovation in biomanufacturing, drug discovery, and workforce development in the biotechnology and healthcare sectors. Foster relationships with key stakeholders in biopharmaceuticals, biotech, and manufacturing industries to enhance BRITE’s impact. BBRI: Oversee the Biological and Biomedical Research Institute (BBRI), ensuring it advances biomedical research, innovation, and collaboration with the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors. IAIER: Provide strategic oversight over Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Research (IAIER), overseeing initiatives that focus on promoting economic empowerment and social advancement through a cutting-edge center for AI education, research, and innovation. Ensure IAIER’s efforts to address critical societal challenges and create a dynamic environment that drives interdisciplinary collaboration and harnesses AI and further cementing its role as a pioneering hub for artificial intelligence at an HBCU and within the state.Function  | Economic Development & Research Commercialization

Describe the specific tasks and responsibilities related to the function.  | Lead the university’s efforts to translate cutting-edge research into real-world solutions by expanding the commercialization of university-developed technologies, patents, and innovations. Oversee efforts to strengthen the regional and state economy by fostering collaborations between academic departments, industry, government, and economic development agencies. Advocate for and develop workforce development initiatives that respond to regional and statewide needs, including designing programs that bridge the gap between higher education and industry job markets.Function  | Cross-Sector Engagement & Institutional Advancement
Describe the specific tasks and responsibilities related to the function.  | Work closely with academic leadership, faculty, and staff to align research and educational strengths with external partner needs, ensuring the university plays a key role in advancing regional economic growth and social impact. Represent NCCU in key state and national forums related to economic development, innovation, and public-private partnerships. Promote the university as a thought leader in regional economic development, facilitating discussions, forums, and events that bring together industry, government, and academic leaders. Ensuring partnerships foster opportunities, particularly in STEM-related programs and workforce development efforts, working to create pathways for underrepresented groups in higher education and the workforce.Function  | Organizational Leadership
Describe the specific tasks and responsibilities related to the function.  | Oversee the day-to-day operations of BRITE, BBRI, and IAIER, managing budgets, staffing, and performance evaluation to ensure these centers are achieving their objectives. Provide direction and leadership to teams within the innovation, economic development, and research commercialization offices, ensuring cross-functional alignment with the university’s broader goals. Collaborate with advancement offices to secure philanthropic support, industry sponsorships, and grant funding for innovation, workforce development, research commercialization, and community engagement initiatives.Function  | Pursuit of Grant and Other Funding Opportunities
Describe the specific tasks and responsibilities related to the function.  | Lead the pursuit of public and private grant opportunities to support the university’s strategic partnerships, economic development initiatives, and research efforts. Identify and cultivate grant funding opportunities from government agencies (e.g., NIH, NSF, DOE), private foundations, and industry partners that align with the university’s priorities in innovation, workforce development, and economic growth. Collaborate with faculty, research centers, and external partners to prepare competitive grant proposals that support research commercialization, technology transfer, and translational research. Ensure the university maximizes external funding opportunities to support research in biomanufacturing, biomedical sciences, and economic advancement. Develop and implement strategies for sustaining long-term funding for university programs, including multi-year partnerships, collaborative grants, and industry-sponsored research.Function  | Transformative Partnership
Describe the specific tasks and responsibilities related to the function.  | Deepen Strategic Industry Relationships: Expand and formalize partnerships with corporations and organizations across the Research Triangle to promote industry-driven innovation. This includes co-developing research agendas, facilitating technology transfer, and promoting joint ventures aligned with regional economic priorities. Enhance External Engagement: Build and sustain relationships with industry, government, and community organizations to co-create solutions addressing societal and economic challenges. Support applied research initiatives that leverage university expertise to catalyze development in areas such as public health, environmental sustainability, and emerging technologies. Advance Workforce-Aligned Academic Pathways: Collaborate with academic leadership and external partners to support the creation of new degree and certificate pathways aligned with market demand and emerging fields, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and public health. Promote interdisciplinary collaborations with industry that prepare students for the evolving workforce.

 Posting Detail Information 

Posting Number  | EPA03407P
Open Date  | 09/26/2025
Date desired for closing or initial review  | 10/26/2025
Close Date  |
Open Until Filled  | Yes
Date Position Available  |
Special Instructions to Applicants  | Priority Consideration: To be considered for priority consideration, applicants must apply by October 26, 2025. 
Pre-Employment Requirements: You must complete and submit an electronic application for employment to be considered. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing an electronic application. Applicants seeking Veteran’s Preference must attach a DD 214 form or those seeking National Guard Preference must attach as NG23A form. Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty with your application during the process of applying to the job posting. Final candidates are subject to criminal background checks, and education/license verification prior to employment. North Carolina Central University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.
Employee Benefits available to NCCU permanent employees include the following and more:Accrued Vacation and Sick Leave Community Service Leave NC State – Health Benefits NCFlex – Vision, Dental, Flexible Spending Account, Life Insurance and more 11-12 Paid Holidays Teachers and State Employees Retirement System (TSERS) Optional Supplemental Plans – 401k, 403b, 457b and 457 Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Campus Recreation Center Discount University Bookstore Discount and more.

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North Carolina Central University
 1801 Fayetteville St.
 Durham, NC, 27707
 Mainline: 919-530-6100