Business Oregon, the state’s economic and development agency, is currently hiring an Innovation Strategist (Operations & Policy Analyst 4).
The primary responsibility of this position is to support the development and execution of the state’s Innovation Plan that is guided by the Oregon Innovation Council (Oregon InC). This position will support several of the agency’s innovation-based economic development programs. They will utilize expertise and extensive knowledge of economic development, project management, business development, and emerging innovation-based industries and technologies to help develop and support these programs.
Note: We value our employees and want to encourage work-life balance and flexibility. This position may have the ability to work remotely with required day(s) in the Portland office every week. This position may require visits to partners for project visits and occasional travel to Salem or other areas of the state for agency and other meetings.
What you will do:
- Serve as co-lead staff for the Oregon Innovation Council (Oregon InC) members, supported organizations and universities.
- Manage various Oregon InC programs and projects to establish a robust and seamless innovation environment in Oregon. This may involve supporting the Centers of Innovation Excellence, the SBIR Support Program, commercialization funding, and partner colleges and universities by completing qualitative and quantitative analyses of current programs and making recommendations for program changes.
- Coordinate interaction between Oregon InC supported initiatives and companies and other business development focused entities within OBDD—such as coordination with all Regional Development Officers—and external regional and local economic development professionals. Support external and internal stakeholder groups in support of this work. Manage project steps to facilitate collaboration and meet Oregon InC goals.
- Support development of biennial state Innovation Plans and serve as program administrator for Oregon InC programs and related programs, such as the University Innovation Research Fund.
- Support Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center (OMIC) as both contract administrator and as a strategic advisor that will make recommendations for the optimal operation of the organization.
- Work with partners to develop and implement the department’s state-wide focus on innovation. Work with OBDD economist and other OBDD staff to improve metrics and reporting processes for all Oregon InC programs, including the Innovation Index.
- Serve as a subject matter expert in the area of innovation-based economic development. Work with Business Oregon leadership and staff, key public and private partners and Oregon InC to develop legislative policy and budget recommendations focused on supporting high-growth, innovation-based economic development.
- Develop and advocate for innovation-related legislation consistent with Business Oregon priorities. Work with manager and agency leadership to develop and maintain working relationships with legislators and their staff. Explain policy issues and budgets and the effect of proposed legislation to state legislators, legislative committee members, lobbyists and task forces.
- Research, advocate and implement funding opportunities that enhance the overall resources and programs supporting Oregon’s innovation-based businesses, including federal and private grants and partnership opportunities.
Business Oregon strives to create an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the diversity of the people we serve. We foster fairness, equity, and inclusion to create a workplace environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity.
Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every one of the qualifications listed. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't meet every one of our qualifications listed. If you are unsure whether you meet the qualifications of this position, feel free to contact us to discuss your application.
The ideal candidate will possess a combination of some or all of the following skills:
- Experience planning, executing, and tracking programs and projects. Experience with solicitations for proposals, proposal evaluation, contract management and evaluating program and project results.
- Knowledge of how the public and private sectors operate and experience building meaningful partnerships across the sectors. Ability to manage relationships with various partners keeping them informed, understanding needs, soliciting input and identifying opportunities to grow relationships.
- Experience with efforts to support innovators or the deployment of innovative technology. Capacity to at least grasp new technologies and concepts and understand what programs can support technology development and commercialization.
- Ability to work independently on complex projects and manage multiple programs and projects at the same time.
- Experience helping guide and influence people with diverse backgrounds and interests toward a common purpose or objective.
- Experience with written and verbal communication tools and demonstrated performance communicating program and project results to internal and external audiences. Proficiency in standard office management, communications and presentation tools.
Please note: if you are interested in applying for this position, you must attach your current cover letter and resume to your application. Failure to submit the required resume and cover letter will remove your application from consideration.
What you need to qualify:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
A Bachelor's Degree in Business or Public Administration, Behavioral or Social Sciences, Finance, Political Science or any degree demonstrating the capacity for the knowledge and skills; and five years professional-level evaluative, analytical and planning work.
OR;
Any combination of experience and education equivalent to eight years of experience that typically supports the knowledge and skills for the classification.
What Business Oregon does:
Business Oregon is the economic development agency for the state of Oregon. We have about 180 people on our team, and we work with communities and businesses. We use our programs and expertise to help businesses grow, so they can in turn add jobs, diversify the economy, and increase Oregon prosperity. We work with communities to enhance and expand infrastructure and community safety with projects such as water/wastewater systems, seismic rehabilitation for schools, or rural broadband development. This also sets the stage for future business development. Our mission is to invest in Oregon’s businesses, communities, and people to promote a globally competitive, diverse, and inclusive economy, all carried out with an agency strategic plan.
The Innovation and Entrepreneurship (I&E) team promotes innovation, startup business creation, mentorship and access to capital. I&E initiatives focus on building a statewide ecosystem with conditions favorable to start and grow new businesses. The I&E team helps Oregon businesses access federal grants including SBIR/STTR grants, connects technical service providers, develops collaborative partnerships with Oregon’s research universities to further technology transfer, and manages the Oregon Growth Board and the Oregon Innovation Council (Oregon InC). Innovation strategists, entrepreneurial strategists, capital strategists, investment analysts and program analysts work to achieve these goals in partnership with Oregon businesses. The I&E team supports the development and execution of an Oregon Innovation Plan that identifies economic development opportunities for existing and emerging industries.
How to Apply Please Note: Applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM PST on December 19, 2024.
- Click the “Apply” button above to complete your online application.
- Attach your current cover letter and resume. Failure to submit the required resume and cover letter will remove your application from consideration.
- Complete the questionnaire.
- The candidates whose work experience most closely matches the qualifications and skills of this position will be invited to interview.
- Warning – Workday will timeout after 20 minutes of inactivity and will not save your application progress. You must submit your application after you begin the process.
WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU:
- Family Friendly Work Life Balance: Paid time off, 11 holidays, 3 personal days & optional short- and long-term disability benefits.
- Take Care of Yourself and Your Family: Comprehensive employee benefits, choice of medical plans, vision plan, life insurance, employee assistance program.
- Invest in Your Future: Pension plan, deferred comp, short- and long-term disability plan, flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care.
- Be Appreciated: Employee recognition events, agency unique employee recognition program allowing for additional leave options such as vacation buy-out and sick leave roll-over, dynamic employees doing impactful work.
- Inclusion: At Business Oregon, we value community and foster a sense of belonging for our employees.
Additional Information:
- Per the Pay Equity Law passed in 2017, a pay equity analysis will be conducted to determine what pay step the successful candidate will be offered. The analysis will be based on the relevant experience, education, training, and certifications documented in the application materials.
- It is our policy to provide reasonable accommodations to all applicants who may need them. Should you need assistance, or an accommodation please contact Lies Wattimena at Wattimena@biz.oregon.gov to discuss how we can best meet your needs.
- Veterans’ Preference - Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications will be given veterans' preference. If you checked that you are a veteran, we will ask you for your documents later in the process. Click on the Veterans’ Preference link for additional information.
- Criminal Records Check - Hiring of the successful candidate will be contingent upon the results of a Criminal Background Check. Adverse background data may be grounds for immediate disqualification.
- Work Authorization - The Oregon Business Development Department (dba Business Oregon) does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, all applicants will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States.
- This recruitment will be used to establish a list of qualified candidates to fill the current position and may be used to fill future vacancies as they occur.
- This position is a management service, full-time position, exempt and is not represented by a union.
- PERS – This is a PERS qualifying position. After a six-month waiting period eligible Management Service, Executive Service, and Unrepresented employees will have their base pay increased by 6.95% and the 6% PERS contribution deducted from their base pay rather than a direct 6% contribution by the State of Oregon to the employees PERS account. This will mirror the bargained SEIU and AFSCME PERS process.
- Are you looking to live in and experience Oregon? Learn more about life in Pendleton, Salem, and Portland.
Need help?
We invite you to contact the recruiter for application questions or job-specific questions.
- The recruiter for this position is Janeen Hilbrink. If you contact the recruiter, please include the job requisition number.
- Email: Janeen.M.Hilbrink@biz.oregon.gov
- Phone (call or text): 971-707-0252
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Business Oregon is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer.