Description

About MUSiC:

MUSiC is the nation’s only open-access, low-volume silicon-carbide (SiC) fabrication facility dedicated to prototyping and proof-of-concept demonstrations, giving U.S. researchers a place to turn bold ideas into fabricated devices.

 About the Role:

The Director of Business Development for the National Multi-User Silicon Carbide Research and Fabrication Laboratory (MUSiC) serves a key leadership role. Working under the supervision of the Executive Director of the UA Power Group, the Director of Business Development, MUSiC, is responsible for identifying and serving customers to utilize the facility and capabilities of the UA’s MUSiC Laboratory, a University of Arkansas Power Group (UAPG) managed core facility. The individual will cultivate relationships and grow the MUSiC business portfolio with all manners of clients including, but not limited to universities, national laboratories, and small and large businesses. The individual in the role also markets the services and capabilities of MUSiC to generate new business for UATDF and the UA and prepares, negotiates, and executes agreements and contracts for services to be delivered.

The mission of UATDF is to stimulate a knowledge-based economy in the state of Arkansas through partnerships that lead to new opportunities for learning and discovery, that build and retain a knowledge-based workforce and that spawn the development of new technologies that enrich the economic base of Arkansas. UATDF is a Board Governed non-profit that manages and directs the Arkansas Research and Technology Park (ARTP) serving as a 100+ acre hub for industry, government, and university partnerships hosting over 350 people in 30 public/private affiliates at various stages of development in 275,000 ft2 of leasable space, and home to multinational corporations such as Wolfspeed, Novozymes and JB Hunt.

The UAPG is a vertically integrated advanced electronics research group that includes faculty from several departments in the colleges of engineering and arts and sciences. Their interdisciplinary work ranges from materials to systems. Typical systems include electrified transportation, electric power grid modernization, data centers, and other microelectronic and power electronic activities. In addition to MUSiC, the UAPG manages two other core facilities for advanced electronic packaging and integration, the High-Density Electronics Center (HiDEC), and a high-power test facility, the National Center for Reliable Electric Power Transmission (NCREPT). The UAPG is home to several federally funded centers of excellence.

UATDF is also a supporting organization to the University of Arkansas. As a supporting organization to the University of Arkansas, the Director of Business Development, MUSiC is provided as a supporting position reporting to the Executive Director of the UAPG. They must be able to work with faculty and staff in the UA to establish a partnership framework and to manage transactions between UATDF and the University of Arkansas. Because MUSiC is a UAPG-managed facility under the direction of the Executive Director of the UAPG, this position must and shall coordinate, consult, and strategize frequently with the Executive Director of the UA Power Group to identify new business opportunities and ensure that MUSiC business remains true to the fundamental tenants upon which it was founded:

• Serving the SiC R&D community to effectively unleash creativity of the UAPG and the nation,
• Serving as a low-volume prototyping facility that facilitates relationships with high volume manufacturers, thus serving a key role in technology maturation,
• Providing point tool services,
• Cultivating relationships with equipment manufacturers, and
• Generally developing and executing business models and practices that create a self-sustaining operation. 

As such, the Director of Business Development, MUSiC, is also considered a member of the UAPG and will closely coordinate activities with the MUSiC Fab directors and staff. The Director of Business Development, MUSiC is a motivated self-starter. They have experience marketing microelectronic components and services to commercial and governmental customers. They will be a detail-oriented individual who has experience drafting, negotiating, and executing high-value agreements and contracts.Responsibilities:

Responsibilities:

• Identification of new customers – Develop marketing strategies to promote MUSiC-related services and facilities and identify and pursue likely customers for MUSiC. (50%)
• Draft, negotiate, and execute agreements – Initiate drafting of contracts, agreements, and amendments for services to be delivered. Negotiate terms with customers that are favorable to all. Work closely with legal counsel in the preparation of agreements. Coordinate closely with MUSiC staff to ensure that expectations in pricing, delivery, technology, etc. are properly set with clients. (25%)
• MUSiC Fabrication Scheduling – Coordinate fabrication schedules and throughput with the MUSiC Fab Director and their staff to meet established expectations for fab starts and delivery times. (15%)
• Identify potential tenants for ARTP – As part of the effort to identify potential customers for MUSiC, this role will work to identify companies that might be interested in leasing commercial space at or in the vicinity of the ARTP. Potential tenant leads will be engaged by a variety of partners including the President of the UATDF (if tenant seeks property at ARTP), economic developers and commercial developers depending on the site and location needs. (10%)

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Five (5) years of experience marketing technology to industry and governmental customers.
• Five (5) years of experience drafting, negotiating, and executing agreements, contracts and amendments.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree
• At least two (2) of the five (5) years of experience marketing semiconductor and microelectronic services and capabilities to industry and governmental customers.
• At least two (2) of the five (5) years of experience drafting, negotiating, and executing agreements being in a role that focuses specifically on agreements, contracts, and amendments in the field of microelectronics and semiconductors.
• Some experience with marketing real estate.