Director, Center for Advanced Manufacturing

The Director, Center for Advanced Manufacturing, is responsible for leading the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative’s (MassTech) efforts to strengthen the Advanced Manufacturing technology and innovation ecosystem, manufacturing and supply chain base, and talent pipeline across the Commonwealth.

Role & Responsibilities

The Director for the Center for Advanced Manufacturing is responsible for leading the MassTech’s Advanced Manufacturing portfolio of work, while ensuring it is successful in its mission to foster the most complete, connected, and responsive manufacturing ecosystem from innovation through production.

The CAM Director will be responsible for leading CAM’s personnel and activities, including but not limited to, the management and execution of state and federally funded technology, innovation, education, and workforce development programs. The Director will work in partnership with Mass Tech leadership and staff, the Commonwealth’s Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative, advanced manufacturing stakeholders from across the state. These include research and academic institutions, small and medium-sized manufacturers, defense and commercial OEMs, Manufacturing USA Institutes, non-profits, startups, entrepreneurial support organizations, and state elected officials. A key aspect of this role is actively engaging and activating the ecosystem through events, site visits, roundtables, and other convenings.

The Director will work collaboratively to further develop the vision and mission for CAM at MassTech and adjust execution strategy and implementation based on the needs of the Advanced Manufacturing ecosystem and available resources. This includes leading and developing a talented team with diverse backgrounds from industry, education, and manufacturing. Additionally, the Director will explore other grant funding opportunities as they align with CAM’s mission and the needs of the ecosystem.

Existing programs and initiatives within CAM include: The Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative (M2I2), the Massachusetts Manufacturing Accelerate Program (MMAP), the Manufacturing Cybersecurity Program, MassBridge (federally-funded), Makers of a Better Future, MassMakes, NERDIC 2.0 (federally-funded), the NextFlex Massachusetts Node.

High Priority Skills and Experience

• Strategy and Vision

• An experienced leader adept at collaborating across industry, academia, and government with ability to leverage external and internal input to assess, adjust, and execute on CAM’s mission to strengthen the competitiveness of Advanced Manufacturing in Massachusetts.

• Passion for service and recognition of the importance of a strong manufacturing sector in Massachusetts.

• Understanding of the complexities of technology and innovation economic development, including, but not limited to research, commercialization, manufacturing and fabrication, talent and workforce development, public/private funding, and start-ups.

Knowledge and Experience

• Current knowledge of the Massachusetts Advanced Manufacturing ecosystem with familiarity with public-private partnerships such as the Manufacturing USA Institutes. Experience working directly in Massachusetts or the northeast region; including an understanding of current business, technology and manufacturing trends, challenges, and opportunities.

• Familiarity with next generation enabling and process technologies, such as, AI/ML, robotics and automation, additive manufacturing, digital twin/thread, bioindustrial manufacturing, microelectronics and photonics, electrification, circularity, and more.

• Experience working in the Defense Industrial Base, Commercial Industry, or both.

• Preferred to also have experience funding/managing external research or projects with academia, small non-traditional defense contractors, and start-ups.

• Successful track record of state, federal, or foundation grant proposal development and awards.

Management and Collaboration

• The CAM Director will work in partnership with Mass Tech Collaborative staff, including members of the CAM division, legal, finance, HR, IT, and other Division Directors in support of MassTech’s mission to strengthen the competitiveness of the technology and innovation economy in Massachusetts.

• Must be able to work in partnership within MassTech to effectively manage and report-out on various program activities, implementation indicators, and impact metrics.

• Ability to plan and operate according to an annual budget with multiple sources and uses of funds spanning multiple fiscal years.

• Understand and work within structured state procurement, grant making, travel, and general conduct guidelines.

• Create and deliver relevant conceptual or technical presentations to large stakeholder groups, speak at conferences and other public events, and present to the MassTech board or other state and federal officials as necessary.

• Skillfully assess new opportunities to support Advanced Manufacturing across the state, and work to design, launch, and implementation of new programs in a timely manner.

• Maintain an entrepreneurial mindset and culture that keeps CAM agile and able to act quickly.

• Travel will be required throughout the Northeast U.S., nationally, and internationally.

Team Leadership

• The Director will set a culture based on the achievement of excellence through collaboration, trust, and teamwork. They will focus on the organizational success of CAM, MassTech, and the Commonwealth’s Advanced Manufacturing sector.

• Able to lead a strong, high performing team. Established record of attracting, managing, and retaining high quality team members.

• Ability to think and act creatively to develop programs, collaborative partnerships and alliances, and member value.

Personal Characteristics

• Honesty & Integrity.

• Brings a positive, enthusiastic, can-do attitude.

• A good listener who is not ego driven.

• Able to relate well to a broad base of stakeholders across industry, academia, and government in an open constructive manner that inspires collaboration and engenders mutual trust.

Requirements

• Ten or more years of experience in positions of increasing responsibility

• Experience in a manufacturing environment or hard/tough tech industry preferred

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively with a wide variety of professionals

• Supervisory experience and data-driven decision making

• Event planning and internal/external communications

Travel

Travel within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (often not accessible by public transportation) expected with occasion travel elsewhere in the United States is expected. Estimated travel of 25-40% of time.

** PLEASE NOTE: THIS POSITION REQUIRES CANDIDATES TO BE ABLE TO WORK IN WESTBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS AT LEAST TWO DAYS PER WEEK. THIS IS NOT A FULL-TIME REMOTE POSITION. **

Benefits

MassTech offers a hybrid work schedule and a competitive total rewards package.