The South Carolina Department of Commerce (S.C. Commerce) is committed to maintaining the state’s long-term competitiveness while building a modern economy — one that is diverse, supporting businesses at every phase of their lifecycle, while allowing people to live and work where they love.
As one of 20 cabinet agencies, S.C. Commerce is the state’s lead economic development agency. Its mission is to create economic opportunities to increase choices for all South Carolinians, which it does by supporting new and existing businesses and partnerships that fuel emerging industries such as life sciences, headquarters, and advanced energy. To drive the state’s advanced energy potential and global impact, S.C. Commerce helped organize the SC Nexus for Advanced Resilient Energy (SC NEXUS), designated as one of 31 federal Technology and Innovation Hubs in 2023 by U. S. Economic Development Administration. A national leader in foreign direct investment, South Carolina extends its international reach with representation in Europe and Asia, ensuring the state remains a top, global business destination from launch to legacy.
The Department of Commerce is seeking a professional Executive Director for our Regional Technology & Innovation Tech Hub (SC Nexus), who reports directly to the Secretary of Commerce as a division director on the Executive Leadership team. The position is responsible for the overall strategic leadership, oversight, management and coordination of the SC Nexus Tech Hub. SC Nexus is an initiative led by the South Carolina Department of Commerce to support rapid commercialization of products and technologies in the advanced energy and grid resilience sector.
SC Nexus will leverage the region’s manufacturing base, research capabilities, and public-private collaboration expertise to innovate and commercialize emerging energy generation, storage and grid efficiency solutions and manufacturing techniques. In doing so, SC Nexus will contribute to economic and national security by expanding the availability of GRTs and DERs that will fortify energy independence, promote decarbonization and reduce grid disruptions.
The SC Nexus Tech Hub seeks to remove barriers for GRT and DER advances and increase likelihood of commercialization by providing the infrastructure to test, prove and demonstrate new advanced energy technology.
Essential Functions Of The Executive Director
Program Management
Commercialization Support
Consortium Development
Minimum And Additional Requirements
A bachelor’s degree in economics business, finance, engineering, or related field.
Must excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills as well as an ability to prepare clear, informative, and concise written materials. Must be able to communicate effectively across multiple stakeholder and partner groups such as universities, foundations, government, and industry sectors through both written and oral mediums. Strong organization, attention to detail, and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects within a portfolio. Familiarity with the commercialization process for products and development of business. Ability to be flexible and achieve results in a fast-paced environment and work with sensitive and confidential information. Previous grant management experience within a government agency or university is preferred. Possess an understanding of public policy and federal and state budgeting process with intermediate technology-based economic development concepts. Proficient with Microsoft office suite.
Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications
Additional Comments