Products and Ventures Lead

Job Description SummaryOrganization's Summary Statement:

Mtech seeks a professional who will lead the end-to-end lifecycle management of xFoundry’s key products and frameworks, including competition frameworks (Xperience, Horizon Challenge), venture-building pipelines (Xpand), and AI-driven tools (CognoXent). This role will oversee the development, optimization, and deployment of these assets while ensuring alignment with xFoundry’s mission to transform universities into solution engines. Additionally, the Head of Products and Ventures will spearhead the launch and scaling of student-led ventures emerging from xFoundry’s Xperience and Xpand pipelines, ensuring their market viability and long-term success. The candidate will oversee the day-to-day operations of venture-related projects and technical milestones and develop requirements for the AI-based services that students and team members will use.

The Products and Ventures Lead will be tasked with inspiring entrepreneurship across UMD's campus while collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop imaginative solutions to intricate challenges. This is an exceptional opportunity for an ambitious individual passionate about driving innovation, promoting entrepreneurship, and creating inventive solutions to complex problems. The Products and Ventures Lead will report directly to the Executive Director of the IDEA Factory.

The A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland catalyzes high-quality research, innovation, and learning, preparing our students to create innovations that will address the 21st century Grand Challenges (e.g., energy, environment, security, and human health) and improve the human condition. The Clark School is dedicated to leading and transforming the engineering discipline and profession, accelerating entrepreneurship, and transforming research and learning activities into innovations that benefit millions.




PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Normal office environment— sedentary work

Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers

Ability to travel around campus for meetings and to attend to duties




PREFERENCES

Proven success collaborating with cross-functional teams and scaling programs or products in a dynamic environment. Notable experience in public-facing communications preferred, including talks, interviews, and copywriting.

Familiarity with AI tools (e.g., RAG, LLMs), engineering R&D methodologies, academic fundraising and proposal development, competition platforms, and lean startup methodologies.

Commitment to student empowerment, interdisciplinary collaboration, and solving global challenges.

Strong communication, leadership, and project management skills.

Knowledge of the entrepreneurial ecosystem and the startup industry.

Ability to write business plans, institutional grants, project descriptions, and white papers.

Ability to understand and generate financial statements and capitalization tables for start-up-level companies.

Experienced in working with venture capital entities in raising capital.

Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.

Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Passion for driving innovation, promoting entrepreneurship, and creating inventive solutions to complex problems.

Ability to quickly learn new complex technical subjects.




LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

NA

Additional Job Details

Required Application Materials:

RESUME or CV

COVER LETTER: Explaining your interest in the position and how your experience aligns with our mission

REFERENCE: Contact information for at least two professional references

 

Best Consideration Date:

 07.14.2025

Posting Close Date:

 07.14.2025

Open Until Filled:

 No

Visa Requirements:This position does not provide visa sponsorshipKey Requirements of Position:

• Define product and marketing requirements for xFoundry’s core products: competition frameworks, venture-building tools, and AI platforms (e.g., CognoXent).
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (engineering, design, academic partners) to prioritize features, optimize user experience, and ensure seamless delivery.
• Establish metrics to evaluate product performance, user engagement, and impact on student venture success.
• Develop and implement the technical requirements for competitions.
• Engage with technology peers to capture requirements for AI-based applications and services to achieve group objectives.
• Conduct market research for all competition areas and develop a comprehensive set of requirements for winning the competitions. 
• Assist in creating prototypes of AI services that the team will use.
• Interact with teams, organizations, and other stakeholders to use the AI services developed by the team.
• Assist in developing AI-based applications used to judge competitions.
• Oversee the end-to-end pipeline for student ventures from Xperience (competition) and Xpand (accelerator), ensuring alignment with market needs and investor readiness.
• Develop scalable frameworks for venture validation, MVP development, and go-to-market strategies.
• Work with university partners, corporate sponsors, and government agencies (e.g., NASA) to align product and venture roadmaps with real-world challenges and opportunities.
• Represent xFoundry at events (e.g., NEXPLORE 2040 Summit) to showcase ventures and amplify partnerships.
• Mentor student teams and liaise with faculty to integrate product/venture insights into the Xperiment academic curriculum.
• Identify opportunities to leverage AI, data analytics, and emerging technologies to enhance xFoundry’s platforms and venture outcomes.
• Ensure compliance with IP, legal, and ethical guidelines for ventures and products.
• Engage with established ecosystem partners, including technology partners, funding/investor partners, tours, and other schools.
• Advise student teams on the structure of their group for competing in the program.
• Recruit talented individuals to join the team.
• Interact with teams that have won the competition and ensure continuous success.

EDUCATION PREFERENCE:

• Ph.D. in Business, Engineering, or related field required; startup experience preferred.

EXPERIENCE PREFERENCE:

• 8 plus years in research, development, product management, venture development, or entrepreneurship, with exposure to edtech, accelerators, or startup ecosystems.

Financial Disclosure RequiredNo

For more information on Financial Disclosure, please visit Maryland's State Ethics Commission website.

DepartmentENGR-MTECH-IDEA Factory

Worker Sub-Type Faculty Regular

Salary Range$150K - $176K

Benefits Summary

For more information on Regular Faculty benefits, select this link.

Background Checks

Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.

Employment Eligibility

The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization.  Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.

EEO Statement

The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.

Title IX Non-Discrimination Notice

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