Director of ASPIRE Funding Initiatives and the Advanced Air Mobility Hub

Job Title

Director of ASPIRE Funding Initiatives and the Advanced Air Mobility Hub

Department

ASPIRE Office

Worker Type

Regular

Pay Type

Salary

Position Salary Minimum

$110,000

Position Salary Maximum

$120,000

Salary will be commensurate with the level of the position, education, and experience.

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Benefit Eligible

Yes

Screening Date

2025-12-19

Job Description Summary

Miami University is dedicated to shaping Ohio’s future by aligning education with the evolvingn eeds of our communities and workforce. Through ASPIRE—Advancing State Priorities, Igniting Regional Economies—Miami connects academic excellence, research, and development
with meaningful impact, supporting critical industries, strengthening regional capacity, and driving economic growth statewide. In fulfillment of its mission, ASPIRE coordinates and conducts applied research and development activities that advance the University’s research enterprise and align University capabilities with the priorities of industry, government, and the community stakeholders.

The Director of ASPIRE Funding Initiatives and the Advanced Air Mobility Hub leads the development and execution of applied research and development initiatives, particularly within advanced air mobility and aviation sectors, as well as other applied initiatives aligned with
ASPIRE and Fisher Innovation College@Elm priorities. The position supports faculty- and stakeholder-led research agendas, pilot projects, and testing and demonstration activities across Fisher Innovation College@Elm and the Oxford Airport (OXD), while ensuring compliance with federal and state funding requirements. Innovation, commercialization, and economic development outcomes are expected results of this work and emerge through the application and
demonstration of applied research and experimental development activities.

Job Description

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the identification, development, and execution of funding strategies that support

  ASPIRE initiatives, including but not limited to the Advanced Air Mobility Hub, Fisher

  Innovation College@Elm, Oxford Airport (OXD), and other University priorities.

• Contribute to OXD’s adherence to applicable rules, regulations, and reporting

  requirements for University offices and external agencies.

• Serve as lead writer or manager for proposals involving applied development, testing, validation, and demonstration activities.

• Manage sponsored awards by ensuring compliance with funder requirements, federal regulations, and University policies, including financial stewardship, performance

  monitoring, and required reporting.

• Maintain systems and processes to track funding pipelines, deadlines, deliverables,

  outputs, and impacts, and support ASPIRE leadership in documenting outcomes for

  internal and external reporting requirements.

• Lead ASPIRE’s contributions to local, regional, state, and national initiatives that strengthen applied research and innovation capacity.

• Facilitate collaboration among faculty, industry, government, and external stakeholders to advance applied initiatives aligned with University priorities, state priorities, and the strategic objectives of Fisher Innovation College@Elm and ASPIRE stakeholders.

• Support the use of the OXD as a research, testing, validation, and demonstration environment for advanced air mobility and aviation technologies.

• Plan, coordinate, and implement applied development and experimental activities within advanced air mobility and the aviation sector.

• Recruit advanced air mobility and aviation companies to Fisher Innovation College@Elm and OXD for participation in research, testing, demonstration activities, and manufacturing.

• Collaborate with ASPIRE leadership to advance the programmatic priorities, research agenda, and external engagement of the Advanced Air Mobility Hub, Fisher Innovation College@Elm, OXD, and other ASPIRE priorities.

• Support the translation, demonstration, and application of initiative outcomes into industry, workforce, and community contexts, connecting University innovation and assets to regional economic development strategies.

• Serve as the primary liaison to the Office of Research & Innovation and the Office of Grants and Contracts.

• Support the Ohio Hometown Talent Initiative, Urban Bridges, and other community, statewide initiatives, and other duties as assigned.

• Represent ASPIRE and Miami University in meetings, conferences, and stakeholder

  convenings, and travel as required to support coordination and external engagement.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree with seven (7) years of experience in grant writing, project management, innovation, airports, aviation, or economic development.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree or certification.

• Experience in research, advanced air mobility, aviation, or airport initiatives, or launching or advising a startup.

• Experience working with local government, city, county or regional.

• Experience working with ASPIRE, Fisher Innovation College@Elm, or OXD.

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of Miami University systems, operations, processes, and policies.

• Ability to represent ASPIRE, Fisher Innovation College@Elm, and the University in

  multiple professional settings.

• GIS experience

Additional Position Information (if applicable)

Required Application Documents

Resume

Special Instructions (if applicable)

None

Additional Information

A criminal background check is required. All campuses are smoke- and tobacco-free campuses.

This organization participates in E-Verify.

Remote Work
For positions that are approved for remote work: Remote work is not a right, it is a work arrangement that can be modified or revoked by Miami University at any time for any reason, including the convenience of the University.

Reasonable Accommodations
Requests for reasonable accommodations for disabilities related to employment should be directed to ADAFacultyStaff@miamioh.edu or 513-529-3560. Questions and follow-ups regarding requests should also be directed here.

Miami University Values Statement
Miami University is a scholarly community whose members believe that a liberal education is grounded in qualities of character as well as of intellect. We respect the dignity of other persons, the rights and property of others, and the right of others to hold and express disparate beliefs. We believe in honesty, integrity, and the importance of moral conduct. We defend the freedom of inquiry that is the heart of learning and combine that freedom with the exercise of judgment and the acceptance of personal responsibility.

For more information on Miami University’s mission and core values, please visit the Mission and Core Values webpage.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Statement
Miami University, an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, encourages applications from protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Miami University prohibits harassment, discrimination and retaliation on the basis of age (40 years or older), color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin (ancestry), pregnancy, race, religion, sex/gender, status as a parent or foster parent, sexual orientation, or protected veteran status in its application and admission processes, educational programs and activities, facilities, programs or employment practices. Requests for reasonable accommodations for disabilities related to employment should be directed to ADAFacultyStaff@miamioh.edu or 513-529-3560.

Clery Act
As part of the University’s commitment to maintaining a healthy and safe living, learning, and working environment, we encourage you to read Miami University’s Annual Security & Fire Safety Report at: http://www.MiamiOH.edu/campus-safety/annual-report/index.html, which contains information about campus safety, crime statistics, and our drug and alcohol abuse and prevention program designed to prevent the unlawful possession, use, and distribution of drugs and alcohol on campus and at university events and activities. This report also contains information on programs and policies designed to prevent and address sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. Each year, email notification of this website is made to all faculty, staff, and enrolled students. Written notification is also provided to prospective students and employees. Hard copies of the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report may be obtained from the Miami University Police Department at 513-529-2223.

Labor Law Posters for Applicants

Please visit our Labor Law Posters webpage to access all relevant and applicable labor law information.