UCF Innovate Ambassador Coordinator (TEMP)

The UCF College of Engineering and Computer Science is among the nation's largest producers of engineering and technology workforce talent and we are the No. 1 provider of graduates to the defense and aerospace industries. We have more than 40 degree and certificate programs within the college and are continuing to grow. Our students, faculty and alumni address society's greatest challenges and aspirations in aerospace, computing, energy, the environment, healthcare, transportation and more. Our education and research efforts are supported by a strong neighboring industry presence such as L3Harris Corporation, Duke Energy, Siemens, Walt Disney World and NASA, to name a few.

The Opportunity:

The UCF Innovate Ambassador Coordinator (TEMP) is responsible for recruiting, cultivating, and managing relationships with external and internal ambassadors to support the mission of the UCF National Science Foundation Accelerating Research Translation (ART) program (dba UCF Innovate). Ambassadors will be key UCF personnel, external industry and community leaders, investors, UCF alumni, industry and community organizations, and others who desire to engage in various activities that will build awareness of and capacity for moving innovation from the laboratory to the marketplace.

This role ensures that the university maximizes the impact of its research and innovation by engaging with individuals who can support or advance ART initiatives in a meaningful way. The coordinator will coordinate initiatives to enhance engagement, establish partnerships, promote the university's research capabilities, and encourage the translation of research into commercial or societal impact.

The Ambassador Coordinator will work closely with the UCF Innovate Education and Venture Lab coordinators to identify and facilitate opportunities for ambassadors to engage, identify potential ambassadors, and ensure ambassador activities and initiatives align with the overall mission of UCF Innovate.

Classification title: Marketing Coordinator I

Responsibilities:

Relationship Management & Engagement:

• Identify, recruit, and manage a network of external and internal ambassadors, including investors, research translation experts, and industry and community leaders.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for these ambassadors, ensuring their involvement and satisfaction with UCF Innovate programs and initiatives.

• Foster long-term, collaborative relationships with ambassadors, helping them connect with university departments and faculty for shared objectives.

Partnership Development:

• Develop and execute strategies to engage external and internal organizations in UCF Innovate initiatives, with a focus on supporting research commercialization, raising awareness about UCF's research impact, and contributing to the further development of UCF's entrepreneurial culture.

• Coordinate efforts with the UCF Innovate Education and Venture Lab initiatives to align external ambassadors' contributions with university goals and UCF Innovate objectives.

Event Coordination & Outreach:

• Plan and execute events, workshops, webinars, and roundtables that bring together external ambassadors with university faculty, staff, and students.

• Plan and execute opportunities for networking and collaboration among the ambassadors (internal and external).

• Support the organization of presentations or discussions to showcase cutting-edge university research to external stakeholders.

Content Creation & Communication:

• Develop communication materials, such as newsletters, reports, and presentations, to keep ambassadors informed about university research, initiatives, and outcomes.

• Share relevant research findings, success stories, and impact reports with ambassadors to foster a deeper understanding of the university's innovations and impact.

• Manage communication channels to ensure timely updates and transparent communication with the ambassadors.

Monitoring & Reporting:

• Track and analyze the contributions and engagement of external ambassadors, assessing their impact on the university's research translation goals.

• Provide regular reports to UCF Innovate leadership, detailing the progress and outcomes of ambassador-driven initiatives.

• Measure the success of ambassador relationships and propose adjustments to strategies based on feedback and results.

• Coordinate with the Venture Lab and Education committees to ensure data collection and analysis is consistent and shared across the UCF Innovate initiative.

Collaboration & Alignment:

• Collaborate with other UCF entities such as the UCF Incubation Program, UCF Corporate Partnerships, to ensure a unified approach to ambassador management.

• Align external engagement activities with the university's broader strategic priorities, such as research excellence, innovation, and economic development.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's or Master's degree and 0+ years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219(6).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in a relevant field such as marketing, communications, business development, or technology transfer, or equivalent professional experience.

• Experience in marketing, communications, or public relations, preferably in higher education, nonprofit, or innovation-focused organizations.

• Proven ability to develop partnerships and cultivate relationships with external stakeholders such as investors, industry leaders, and community organizations.

• Strong organizational and event management skills, including planning and executing workshops, networking events, and stakeholder meetings.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with comfort in public speaking and presenting to audiences.

• Familiarity with academic research environments and the challenges of translating research into commercial or societal impact.

• Proficiency in project management tools and reporting systems, with the ability to track engagement metrics and outcomes.

• Entrepreneurial mindset and passion for innovation, with demonstrated ability to identify opportunities and drive initiatives that create impact.

Additional Application Materials Required:

Please include a Cover Letter and References.

Special Instructions to the Applicants:

This is a Contract and Grant (C&G) funded position. Employment is subject to availability of funding and may cease at the time funding for this employment is depleted.

Classification title: Marketing Coordinator I

Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?

As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you'll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You'll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you'll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills and you'll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.

Are Benefits Important to You?

State Benefits eligibility for OPS employees are subject to criteria established by the State of Florida. The state's benefits administrator, People First, determines eligibility and coordinates enrollment. If this position becomes eligible for state benefits the employee will be notified directly by People First. OPS positions are not entitled to paid time off.

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF's expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

Additional Requirements related to Research Positions:

Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela.

The additional screening requirements only apply to research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty, graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, postdoctoral positions, undergraduate positions, visiting assistant professors, and visiting research associates.

Department

Hours of Work

Work Schedule

Type of Appointment

Hourly Rate

Job Posting End Date

Benefits Eligibility

State Benefits eligibility for OPS employees are subject to criteria established by the State of Florida. The state's benefits administrator, People First, determines eligibility and coordinates enrollment. If this position becomes eligible for state benefits the employee will be notified directly by People First. OPS positions are not entitled to paid time off.

As a Florida public university, the University of Central Florida makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request.

UCF is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.

an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 407-823-1336 or email onac@ucf.edu.

For general application or posting questions, please email talent@ucf.edu.