Senior Associate Director, PCI Ventures

Penn Information Systems & Computing

. Serve as the scientific and entrepreneurial lead for PCI Ventures .

Posted 11/2/2026full-timePhiladelphia • Pennsylvania • United StatesSenior💰 $135,327 - $200,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in commercialization strategies, product development, and venture-building within scientific and entrepreneurial contexts. Proven ability to mentor teams, evaluate technologies, and navigate regulatory pathways to bring innovations to market.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Commercialization StrategiesProduct Development ExperienceVenture-Backed Startup ExperienceCapital RaisingTeam Building

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Technology EvaluationMilestone-Based Development PlanningMarket Risk IdentificationRegulatory Pathway NavigationCustomer DiscoveryScience and Engineering ValidationProof of Concept DevelopmentMarket-Ready Product Development

Soft Skills

LeadershipMentoringCommunicationDecision-Making

Tools & Technologies

Commercialization FrameworksProject-Review ProcessesI-Corps Program Coordination

Certifications & Qualifications

Master's DegreePhD Preferred

Industry Keywords

Venture CapitalStartup EcosystemResearch InstitutionsGovernmentIndustry

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Serve as the scientific and entrepreneurial lead for PCI Ventures
Provide oversight and day-to-day leadership to senior commercialization advisors
Evaluate high-potential technologies with Penn faculty, researchers, and expert networks
Develop commercialization strategies and identify critical technical and market risks
Create milestone-based development plans for venture teams
Mentor and guide PCI Ventures team members
Set expectations for venture-building work quality and rigor
Review and pressure-test project strategies and recommendations
Develop and maintain commercialization frameworks, playbooks, milestone practices, and project-review processes with the Executive Director
Hold office hours for early teams and assess readiness for PCI Ventures engagement
Coordinate with Penn’s I-Corps program when additional customer discovery is appropriate
Step into projects during advisor transitions, vacancies, or workload gaps
Serve as deputy and second-in-command to the Executive Director
Represent PCI Ventures internally and externally
Make routine operating decisions when the Executive Director is unavailable
Lead onboarding and training of new senior commercialization advisors
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Requirements

What you’ll need

Master's degree and 5–7 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience required
PhD strongly preferred
Personally has done the kind of science that Penn faculty are trying to commercialize
Deep product development experience, including moving technology from proof of concept to something manufacturable at scale
Experience as part of the founding team of a venture-backed startup
Experience raising capital, building a team, navigating regulatory pathways, and finding early customers
Experience taking a technology from concept to a market-ready product
Science, engineering, and validation experience for product development
Experience across startups, research institutions, government, and industry
Experience as both a founder seeking capital and an institutional leader helping others commercialize
Cover Letter and Resume/CV required
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer

Benefits

Comp & perks

Comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits
Flexible spending accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
Tuition assistance for employees, spouses, and dependent children
Tuition assistance for dependent children at other institutions
Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans
Pre-tax or Roth retirement savings options
Investment options through TIAA and Vanguard
Substantial time away from work, including vacation and personal time
Long-term care insurance
Wellness and work-life programs and resources
Professional and personal development resources
Access to University libraries, athletic facilities, arboretum, art galleries, cultural and recreational activities
Discounts and special services for arts, entertainment, transportation, mortgages, cars, cellular phone plans, movie tickets, and theme parks
Flexible work options and flexible work hours
Forgivable home ownership loan for eligible employees in West Philadelphia
Adoption assistance for qualified expenses, for up to two adoptions in the household