Executive Director

Who Is Portal Innovations:

Portal Innovations is a biotech venture development engine, focused on early-stage life science enterprises. We help exceptional life sciences innovators build their companies where they live and beyond. Launched in 2020, we surround these entrepreneurs with the resources and network they need for seed capital, state-of-the-art lab space, a community-based ecosystem, and access to experts in their fields and prospective investors and partners.

About This Role:

 We are seeking a highly motivated and organized Executive Director to lead New Jersey Innovation Hub (NJIH), Powered by Portal, H-1 @ The HELIX in New Brunswick, NJ (the “Incubator”). The Executive Director will provide strategic and operational leadership for New Jersey Innovation Hub (NJIH), Powered by Portal, overseeing site operations, member experience, programming, ecosystem engagement, and business growth. This individual will be responsible for building a vibrant innovation community that accelerates the success of member companies while advancing Portal's mission throughout New Jersey's life sciences and deep tech ecosystem.

This is a FULL-TIME role. This role offers a dependable routine from Monday through Friday. While we primarily stick to our standard business hours, our team does need to have flexibility and occasionally extends the day to meet the evolving needs of our growing business.

What You'll Do:

• Key Responsibilities:
  • Collaborate with key stakeholders to execute the vision and strategic goals for the Incubator.
  • Work closely with the broader Portal team, our partners and clients, including DEVCO, Rutgers University, Princeton University, NJEDA, BioNJ etc.) to execute Portal’s mission in the New Brunswick/New Jersey ecosystem to drive utilization, productivity, operational efficiency and successful outcomes at the Incubator.
  • Lead day-to-day operations of the Incubator, ensuring they meet the needs of the companies that will operate in the space.
  • Drive the member experience end-to-end, from onboarding, quarterly ecosystem programming, consistent member pulse checks, and evaluation of needs to ensure member satisfaction and engagement and a consistent Portal experience. 
  • Oversee and manage the onsite team, including roles for lab operations, membership growth and sales, programming and partnerships, and member experience.
    
    
• Operational Oversight
  • Leverage resources and the broader Portal team to execute on the Portal playbook and apply it in the NJIH to drive successful outcomes at the incubator.
  • Manage day-to-day operations of the Incubator including programming and events, ensuring efficient processes and resource allocation.
  • Work with the team and individuals to develop and meet/exceed KPIs based on strategic KPIs/goals. 
  • Develop and maintain program documentation, including marketing materials, budgets, timelines, and performance metrics.
  • Work with the NJIH Director of Programming and Partnerships to plan and execute high-quality programming, workshops, seminars, networking events, office hours, and community activities that drive member engagement, recruitment, retention, and ecosystem development.
  • Manage and oversee site budget, encompassing cost optimization, capital and expense investments, budget re-forecasting, and related activities.
  • Oversee all aspects of lab and facility operations, including equipment procurement, maintenance programs, EHS, SOP creation and implementation, consumables management, and vendor/contractor relationships, ensuring the site runs safely, efficiently, and to Portal standards.
  • Collaborate across the Portal network to identify and share opportunities for member companies, leverage enterprise-wide resources, and contribute programming and best practices that strengthen the overall Portal ecosystem.
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  Stakeholder and Membership 
  • Build relationships with universities, community organizations, venture capital firms, industry, vendors, and ecosystem partners to leverage both academic and external resources and create partnerships that benefit the Incubator.
  • Represent the Incubator at community and industry networking functions to promote its mission and attract potential new members/partners.
  • Report operations and overall impact to key stakeholders on a regular cadence.
  • Support and work with the Membership Growth and Sales Manager to source prospective members, determine the best location for incoming members lab benches and desks, and approve deal terms with prospective entrepreneurs and companies seeking to become a member company in the Incubator.

 Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in program management preferred, preferably within an incubator, accelerator, or startup environment, with a focus on life sciences and deep tech sectors and early-stage startups and possess an understanding of life sciences and biotech.
• Experience with business development and/or sales.
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to multitask and prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and networking skills.
• Proficient in project management tools and software.
• Detail-oriented and extremely organized. 
  
  

Compensation:

• Based on Experience
• $225k to $250k annually 

Benefits:

• Excellent Medical, Dental and Vision
• Life and Disability Benefits
• Flexible PTO Policy
• Generous Parental Leave
• 401K Program
• In Office Perk: Unlimited Coffee and Snacks to keep you going throughout the day

Work Authorization/Security-Clearance Requirements:

Must be eligible to work in the United States.

Portal is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital or family status, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis under provincial, federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances.