Ballinger | Leafblad is pleased to conduct the search for an Executive Director at University Enterprise Labs (UEL) in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW
University Enterprise Labs (UEL) is an innovative and collaborative research center serving organizations in Minnesota.

UEL was formed in response to a growing number of early-stage life-science companies and academic research groups that were struggling to commercialize their technologies due to a lack of available and affordable laboratory space. Life-science companies, unlike many other start-up companies, often require access to costly equipment and lab space to conduct complex R&D activities, and outfitting a wet lab can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. By providing the type of space that early-stage bioscience companies require, UEL creatively addresses this unmet need in the region.

In addition to providing lab and office space to early-stage life science companies, UEL promotes advances in biotechnology, medical device and other life sciences, and creates high quality jobs in Minnesota.

UEL was organized as a nonprofit, public-private partnership between the University of Minnesota’s College of Biological Sciences and the Carlson Venture Enterprise (of the Carlson School of Management), the University of Minnesota Foundation, the City of St. Paul, and corporate partners such as Xcel Energy, 3M, and Allina. While UEL received support from the University of Minnesota, it was structured as a separate legal entity in order to better respond to market conditions.

UEL is financially sound and ready to continue to innovate and grow.

SITE DETAILS AND HISTORY

The original UEL building was built in 1991 for River Town Trading and then used by Target Corporation. UEL purchased an 11-acre site in 2004 and renovated it in 2005. Phase II Expansion took place in 2019. Spaces in this innovative center include: 33 Wet Labs, 19 Dry Labs, 16 Small Offices, 15 Office Suites, 9 UEL Garage Labs, 7 Shared Conference Rooms, 4 Clinical Research Units, 3 Warehouse Labs/Spaces, 3 Conference Spaces, 2 Shared Wet Labs, 1 Storage Space.

ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE

UEL seeks to be a place of innovation, support and collaboration in which entrepreneurs and small enterprises can grow and thrive.  A talented and committed board of directors and staff work together to advance the needs of tenant businesses. Creativity and results are highly valued.

MISSION

To support early-stage life science and complimentary technology ventures by providing premier facilities and services in an ecosystem that enables innovation, growth and commercial success.

VISION

To facilitate the growth of Minnesota’s next generation of life science and complementary technology companies.

THE ORGANIZATION TODAY

Over the past few years, UEL has accomplished a major turnaround. UEL has grown from 32 to 60 tenants, offering expanded services to these start-up biotech companies. There is a talented and committed board of directors in place; this group with diverse skills and backgrounds best meets the needs of a complex innovation hub.

In 2022, the Executive Director announced plans to transition away from UEL. This leadership transition provided an opportunity for UEL to conduct a thorough strategic planning process.  A consulting group facilitated a board retreat to determine next steps for a transformative set of planning activities. The retreat was a turning point for members, grounding participants in a shared mission and direction.

Practical Visioning: Board members gathered for an in person Visioning Workshop in late 2022. The framework of a ‘Biotech Pipeline’ was used to describe UEL’s customer/user, in particular what kinds of facilities and services they need.  As a result of this session, board members decided to conduct interviews with current and former tenants to better understand their experience. Board members brought their insights together at a November Visioning Workshop when they answered the question “What do we want to see in place in the next 3-5 years that makes our facility a center of innovation in the life sciences sector?”

Strategic Planning: The Board convened a Strategic Planning workshop in January 2023. Strategic planning focused on two things: understanding the current reality (SWOT) and goal setting. There was strong alignment on three strategic directions:    Accelerating UEL Impact; Growing Successful UEL Companies; and Optimizing UEL Business Structure.  The UEL leadership team will have the opportunity to shape strategy and implementation.

POSITION PROFILE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Executive Director is a talented business leader who is responsible for developing and maximizing the economic and missional contribution of UEL to the local, state and regional economy. The position requires a strategic individual to oversee all of UEL, including its real estate and other assets, and be responsible for attracting clients, and private and public resources necessary to meet the organization’s strategic goals. To do this, the Executive Director works collaboratively with a long-time relationship partner organization, Tapestry, which conducts building management activities.  The Executive Director oversees overall operations of UEL and implements and monitors the organization’s strategic plan– this includes acting as spokesperson representing UEL in the broader community, advancing knowledge of UEL and its services, and conducting fundraising activities to support UEL’s mission.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Participate in and execute UEL’s strategic plan in collaboration with the Board of Directors. Develop and maintain key performance indicators to measure the achievement of goals and Consider ways that the organization can grow and expand in its mission. Achieve strategic goals.
• Understand tenant organizations and their needs. Be a listener, coach, and collaborator with tenants; seek to provide them with necessary support for their growth and possible funding opportunities.
• Work closely and collaboratively with Tapestry to ensure that UEL’s facilities are maintained, leased, and responsive to tenant’s needs including:
  • Establish and maintain policies and positive relationship management for tenants and employees
  • Ensure high level performance including:
    • Responsiveness to all inquiries about leasing space at UEL
    • Outreach and qualification of prospective tenants outside of UEL
    • Assessment of space requirements of existing tenants, solicit offers to lease and negotiate renewals
    • Appropriate negotiation of all contracts to lease space in UEL
  • Oversee and have primary accountability for UEL’s people, financial and operating performance.
    • Manage optimal financial health of both the operations and the mission-related functions of UEL
    • Collaboratively develop and oversee the annual operating budget, quarterly financial forecast updates, special projects and rolling capital plan
    • Collaboratively develop and maintain a long-term financial model to support capital allocation decisions and debt refinancing
    • Ensure proper internal controls over cash and contract management
    • Assess and evaluate the performance of the property management and accounting team
  • Engage with a broad network of partner organizations and individuals
    • Establish relationships with private and public organizations with a shared interest in growing entrepreneurship in the bio-technology, medical device, and broader life sciences sector
    • Establish productive relationships with academic stakeholders including the University of Minnesota, Mayo Clinic, and others; work consistently toward mutual benefit and collaboration.
    • Build and maintain healthy relationships with local and state economic development organizations
  • Secure new sources of funding for the stability, health and expansion of UEL’s facilities and programs
  • Develop associations with foundations, corporations, professional and community leaders, and other external stakeholders. Build awareness and generate grant funding, sponsorships and other financial support.
  • Manage Board and Executive Committee activities:
    • Provide regular fiscal and programmatic reports to the UEL Executive Committee and/or Board.
    • Coordinate the activities of the Board and various committees.
    • Assist in board recruitment and support of board governance
  • Stay abreast about regional innovations and trends in bio-science; keep the board apprised of meaningful information.
  • Develop and implement a marketing plan for UEL, including an updated website.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrated senior leadership experience with a for-profit or not-for-profit organization, ideally including small business experience and raising resources (governmental, corporate partnerships and private).
• Strategic business experience including planning and implementation in an innovative, creative environment.
• An affinity and interest in science, bio-tech and related industries and a passion for growing companies.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with tenants, staff, businesses, associations, community representatives, universities and colleges, and local, regional, state and federal agencies.
• Background working with or for a Board of Directors; abilities to develop strong positive relationships with board members and draw upon their expertise on behalf of the organization.
• Understanding of investment options; experience bringing an organization to market is desirable.
• Demonstrated strength in financial management, including financial modeling, funding and forecasting.
• Experience with external relations and fundraising
• Excellent understanding of legal and contractual issues and documents.
• Educational background in science, technology or business administration or related A bachelor’s degree or equivalent is required; a master’s degree or equivalent is preferred; however, most important is passion for and understanding of small business operations and bio- technology, medical device and other life sciences.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Understanding of the commercial real estate market with emphasis on laboratory and office space.
• Knowledge of management, bioscience business incubation best practices and financial management and funding.
• Ability to handle complicated sensitive and confidential material with
• Experience with fundraising and sponsorship activities.
• Strategic planning and execution experience; this includes developing and implementing new strategic
• Understanding of concepts and strategies, knowledge of site planning and infrastructure systems, knowledge of building codes and status relative to planning, design and construction

LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS

• A credible leader with strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Ability and preference to work in a dynamic fast-paced
• Expertise in effectively directing work, managing and developing others; the ability to unify UEL team members, board members and tenants.
• Proven ability to make timely decisions and work effectively under time constraints.
• Superior oral and written communications skills, including excellent presentation
• Strong experience in Project Management.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The compensation for this position is $175,000-$225,000 base salary and a managerial bonus opportunity.  Compensation also includes participation in the organization’s comprehensive benefits plan.

TO APPLY

Inquiries may be directed to Bob Schoenbaum: bob@ballingerleafblad.com.

Applications will be accepted until September 8, 2023 or until the position has been filled, which may be earlier. There will be an immediate and ongoing review of candidates, so we encourage and appreciate early applications. All inquiries will remain confidential.

UEL is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate against employees or job applicants on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, marital, family, or veteran status, or any other status or condition protected by applicable state or federal laws. UEL is committed to recruiting and hiring qualified individuals without regard to protected status and encourages minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply for open positions.