· The Executive Director leads the day-to-day strategic and operational activities of OCAST, overseeing agency staff, budgets, funding programs, and technology investment initiatives that support science, innovation, and economic development across Oklahoma. On a daily basis, the role involves collaborating with industry leaders, universities, government agencies, legislators, entrepreneurs, and investors to strengthen Oklahoma’s technology ecosystem and advance commercialization opportunities.
· Key responsibilities include evaluating emerging technologies and early-stage ventures for investment potential, overseeing research and innovation funding programs, guiding technology transfer and commercialization efforts, and helping move research from development into practical market applications. The Executive Director also develops organizational strategy, monitors performance metrics and KPIs, secures additional grant and investment funding, ensures regulatory and governance compliance, and represents OCAST in meetings with public and private stakeholders.
· The role combines executive leadership, technology evaluation, partnership development, financial oversight, and innovation strategy to help modernize Oklahoma’s economy through science- and technology-driven growth.
· Organizational Strategy — Develop and execute short-, medium-, and long-term strategies that advance the organization’s mission and objectives. Leads the development of the agency’s strategic plan, including the creation and monitoring of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) aligned with the State Strategic Plan for Science and Innovation.
· Technology Ecosystem Development — Strengthen Oklahoma’s science and technology ecosystem by fostering partnerships among industry, academia, government, and other stakeholders.
· Innovation Program Oversight — Lead and oversee funding programs that support research, innovation, and economic development.
· State-Level Planning – Assisting the state’s executive-level leadership with strategic planning for science and innovation.
· Organizational Leadership
· Budget Management — Oversee budgeting, accounting, financial planning, and resource allocation to support organizational priorities.
· Staff Leadership — Lead professional, technical, and administrative staff to ensure high performance, accountability, and alignment with the organization’s mission. Conducts regular and as-needed performance evaluations.
· Governance & Compliance — Ensure transparency, statutory compliance, and accountability in accordance with state agency or corporate governance standards.
· Investment & Technology Commercialization Leadership
· Early-Stage Capital Deployment — Manage and recommend investments in early-stage, technology-focused ventures.
· Technology Evaluation — Support identification, evaluation, and assessment of emerging technologies with strong commercialization potential.
· Commercialization & Technology Transfer — Support the transition of research to market through entrepreneurship, business model development, technology transfer, and commercialization strategies.
· Pursuit of Additional Funding – Support larger finite projects and help fill temporary funding gaps in existing programs, locate and secure public and private grant funding.
· Executive Oversight – Provide executive oversight for agency investment decisions.
· Reports to the OSTRaD Board during quarterly meetings and as otherwise requested.
· Collaborates with the OSTRaD Board to develop and implement OCAST’s operational plan, ensuring appropriate external reviews, effective use of staff resources, and active committee engagement that leverages the expertise of OSTRaD Board members.
· Serves as the executive representative of OCAST and the OSTRaD Board in regular meetings with private-sector companies, public agency leaders, legislators, and agency partners.
· Performs additional duties and responsibilities as assigned by the OSTRaD Board.