Manager, Laboratory Outreach

OVERVIEW

As a state-chartered economic development organization, the Washington Technology Center (WTC) is committed to increasing innovation and technology throughout the state of Washington, in all industries and economic sectors.

WTC focuses on designing and implementing programs that directly impact Washington and Pacific Northwest companies, research institutions and entrepreneurs through our mission of sparking ideas, forming connections between people and resources, and fostering job growth to position Washington as a national technology leader.

The Manager, Laboratory Outreach supports this mission by conducting outreach activities in support of WTC operated and managed laboratories, managing the ongoing customer service to existing laboratory customers, and actively identifying new sources of funding and revenue streams in support of WTC laboratories. As a result overall laboratory use will increase, the WTC lab customer base will become more diverse, and laboratory funding capacity will expand.

Primary users and customers of WTC laboratories are private companies, researchers, and research institutions who are engaged in the design and testing of microelectronic, micromechanical and micro fluidic devices for sensor, optical and biomedical / biotechnology applications.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The primary responsibilities of this position will be to expand awareness of WTC laboratories to: one, both prospective academic and industrial users within the State of Washington, regionally, and nationally, two, develop effective partnership / funding opportunities that support current and future laboratory capabilities, and three, providing ongoing customer service and support to both users of WTC laboratories and key contract processing accounts. Specific responsibilities include:

Laboratory Awareness:

1. Create annual laboratory awareness plan aligned with WTC strategic objectives.

2. Cultivate speaking opportunities at targeted events that effectively position WTC lab capabilities.

3. Manage laboratory involvement at WTC hosted / sponsored events.

4. Collaborate with WTC marketing and communications to ensure all support literature and online positioning is available and up to date.

Laboratory Development:

1. Develop meaningful metrics of laboratory impact and therefore WTC economic benefit to the State of Washington.

2. Development of lab benchmarking and comparative analysis.

3. Establish strategic relationships with both current and potential industrial customers and major industry partners.

4. Establish partnerships with foundry services and suppliers to complement WTC’s capabilities.

5. Cultivate new equipment acquisition and funding opportunities.

Customer Service and Support:

1. Develop a detailed understanding of the existing customer needs.

2. Assist in the development of product and service strategies and business plans to support long term growth of the WTC laboratories.

3. Maintain the ongoing relationship with key industrial and academic laboratory users targeting these groups to develop an understanding of how WTC can best support their needs.

OTHER POSITION COMPONENTS

A clear understanding of WTC's overall objectives and vision and a commitment to collaborating across all WTC functions. 

CONTACTS AND INTERACTIONS

Primary Interactions Include:

• Collaboration with WTC marketing and communications to ensure continuity of WTC messaging, development of laboratory specific outreach collateral, and to help drive lab sponsorship leads.

• Closely interact with lab engineering to understand process capabilities, resource allocations, and process cycle times.

• Maintenance of the relationships with WTC key customers and stakeholders. 

• Work with other business line managers to accurately represent all of WTC’s programs and activities.

QUALIFICATIONS

Skills / Experience:

• MS Engineering. (In exceptional cases, significant fabrication engineering sales / outreach / communications experience may be substituted.)

• 3-5 years engineering experience with at least 2 years related to fabrication or related technologies.

• Strong technical knowledge of design methodologies, tooling, MEMS design challenges, and semiconductor processes.

• Demonstrated knowledge of clean room practices, micro / nanofabrication, and proof of concept research.

• Proven success in understanding customer needs, and delivering a reliable product in an industrial environment.

• Prior experience in engineering sales and marketing, contract negotiations, and grant writing.

• Excellent verbal and written communication required.

• Ability to travel as required.

Equivalent education / experience may substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration. 

Success Factors:

• Comfortable listening to existing and potential customers and identifying how best WTC can meet their needs.

• Able to work effectively and independently in a fast pace industrial environment. 

• Attends to the level of detail required to complete and assure the success of WTC’s work with each customer. 

• Develops a laboratory awareness plan and outreach strategy that furthers WTC’s overall objectives.

FIRST YEAR GOALS

- Develop plan and strategy for WTC facilities / laboratory awareness.

- Develop agreed upon metrics to track facility / laboratory development.

- Identify and engage key stake holders.

- Actively engage target audiences within the state of Washington and the region.



For more information and to apply visit:

http://www.watechcenter.org/index.php?p=Job+Openings&s=26