Program Director Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Michigan
Michigan's program director roles span healthcare systems like Henry Ford Health and University of Michigan Health, major automakers and their nonprofit foundations, and a growing tech sector concentrated in Detroit and Ann Arbor. Employers across these industries actively sponsor international talent for experienced program leadership positions.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Wayne State University is searching for an experienced MTRAC Advanced Computing Hub Commercialization Program Director, Division of Research, Part-Time at its Detroit campus location.
Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.
POSITION PURPOSE:
The MTRAC Advanced Computing Hub Commercialization Program Director is a part-time position that provides strategic and operational leadership for the Michigan Translational Research and Commercialization (MTRAC) Program at Wayne State University. The position is responsible for administering the statewide innovation hub, managing the funding and commercialization pipeline, cultivating partnerships across Michigan’s research and entrepreneurial ecosystem, and accelerating the translation of advanced computing technologies from university laboratories into startup companies, licensed technologies, and market ready products. The Program Director serves as a liaison among faculty innovators, investors, industry partners, mentors, oversight committee members, and state funding agencies while ensuring achievement of programmatic, financial, and economic development objectives. This position reports to the Assistant Vice President, Technology Commercialization.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Program Leadership & Strategic Management
- Lead the overall strategy, implementation, and continuous improvement of the MTRAC Innovation Hub.
- Develop annual operating plans, funding cycles, timelines, performance metrics, and commercialization objectives.
- Ensure alignment of program activities with Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), MTRAC, and university priorities.
- Monitor program outcomes and implement strategies to maximize startup creation, licensing, follow-on funding, and economic impact.
- Provide leadership to project teams, researchers, mentors, and commercialization stakeholders.
Commercialization & Portfolio Development
- Advise faculty, researchers, and project teams on commercialization strategies, market validation, customer discovery, startup formation, licensing, and funding pathways.
- Assist project teams in developing commercialization plans, milestone-driven project roadmaps, and investor-ready materials.
- Monitor project progress, evaluate milestone achievement, and recommend funding decisions.
- Identify commercialization barriers and connect teams with appropriate resources and subject matter experts.
- Facilitate access to translational research funding, risk assessment services, and entrepreneurial support programs.
Ecosystem Development, Partnerships & Investor Engagement
- Develop and maintain relationships with venture capital firms, angel investors, industry partners, accelerators, SmartZones, economic development organizations, and statewide innovation programs.
- Recruit and manage mentors, coaches, oversight committee members, and external advisors.
- Facilitate strategic introductions and networking opportunities for awardees.
- Represent the Wayne State University MTRAC program at conferences, industry events, investor meetings, and ecosystem gatherings throughout Michigan and nationally.
- Expand statewide participation and collaboration among universities, research institutions, and commercialization organizations.
Proposal Management & Oversight Committee Administration
- Develop and administer funding solicitations, proposal review processes, and project selection activities.
- Coordinate Letters of Intent, full proposal submissions, oral presentations, and award recommendations.
- Organize and facilitate Oversight Committee meetings and project reviews.
- Prepare project evaluations, funding recommendations, and progress reports for stakeholders.
- Ensure transparency, consistency, and compliance throughout the award review and selection process.
Reporting, Compliance & Financial Oversight
- Ensure compliance with all program requirements, funding agreements, university policies, and sponsor expectations.
- Oversee collection and reporting of economic impact metrics, including startups, licenses, jobs created, follow-on funding, and commercialization outcomes.
- Work collaboratively with administrative staff to monitor budgets, expenditures, matching funds, reimbursements, and project accounting.
- Prepare periodic reports, presentations, and performance updates for MEDC, the Technology Commercialization team, university leadership, and other stakeholders.
- Support audits, program reviews, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: Master’s degree
Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Computer Science, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field with significant experience in technology commercialization, innovation management, or research translation.
Experience: Expert (established subject matter expert, 7+ years’ experience).
Required:
- Seven (7) or more years of progressively responsible experience in technology commercialization, innovation management, venture development, startup acceleration, economic development, technology transfer, research administration, or a related field.
- Experience managing complex programs involving multiple stakeholders and external partners.
- Experience evaluating early-stage technologies and commercialization opportunities.
- Experience working with faculty researchers, startups, entrepreneurs, investors, or corporate innovation partners.
- Demonstrated experience managing budgets, grants, contracts, or sponsored programs.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience administering translational research funding programs such as Michigan Translational Research and Commercialization (MTRAC), National Science Foundation Innovation Corps (NSF I-Corps), National Science Foundation Accelerating Research Translation (NSF ART), Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Economic Development Administration (EDA), or similar initiatives.
- Experience founding, leading, investing in, advising, or scaling startup companies.
- Experience working within a university technology transfer or innovation ecosystem.
- Established network within Michigan's entrepreneurial, investment, and economic development communities.
- Experience supporting venture capital fundraising, angel investment, licensing transactions, or startup formation.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge:
- Technology commercialization and innovation ecosystem practices.
- Startup formation, venture development, and entrepreneurial support programs.
- Intellectual property, licensing, and technology transfer principles.
- Translational research funding mechanisms and commercialization pathways.
- Economic development and university-industry partnership models.
- State and federal funding programs supporting innovation and entrepreneurship.
Skills:
- Strategic planning and program management.
- Business development and relationship management.
- Proposal review and portfolio evaluation.
- Financial management and budget oversight.
- Public speaking, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement.
- Data analysis, performance measurement, and reporting.
- Project management and organizational leadership.
Abilities:
- Build productive relationships across academia, industry, government, and investment communities.
- Evaluate emerging technologies and assess commercial potential.
- Influence and collaborate with diverse stakeholders without direct authority.
- Manage multiple priorities and complex projects simultaneously.
- Translate technical concepts into business and commercialization opportunities.
- Exercise sound judgment in funding, commercialization, and strategic decisions.
- Work independently while fostering collaboration and teamwork.
- Travel throughout Michigan and nationally to support program objectives and stakeholder engagement.
SCHOOL/COLLEGE/DIVISION:
The Division of Research & Innovation
PRIMARY DEPARTMENT:
H0905 - VP Research
EMPLOYMENT TYPE:
- Regular Employee
- Job type: Fractional Time
- Job category: Staff/Administrative
FUNDING/SALARY INFORMATION:
- Compensation type: Annual Salary
- Hourly rate:
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Normal office environment.
Occasional travel is required.
JOB OPENINGS:
- Number of openings: 1
- Reposted position: No
BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIREMENTS:
University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the university will inform you if a background check is required.
INTRODUCTION
Wayne State University is searching for an experienced MTRAC Advanced Computing Hub Commercialization Program Director, Division of Research, Part-Time at its Detroit campus location.
Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.
POSITION PURPOSE:
The MTRAC Advanced Computing Hub Commercialization Program Director is a part-time position that provides strategic and operational leadership for the Michigan Translational Research and Commercialization (MTRAC) Program at Wayne State University. The position is responsible for administering the statewide innovation hub, managing the funding and commercialization pipeline, cultivating partnerships across Michigan’s research and entrepreneurial ecosystem, and accelerating the translation of advanced computing technologies from university laboratories into startup companies, licensed technologies, and market ready products. The Program Director serves as a liaison among faculty innovators, investors, industry partners, mentors, oversight committee members, and state funding agencies while ensuring achievement of programmatic, financial, and economic development objectives. This position reports to the Assistant Vice President, Technology Commercialization.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Program Leadership & Strategic Management
- Lead the overall strategy, implementation, and continuous improvement of the MTRAC Innovation Hub.
- Develop annual operating plans, funding cycles, timelines, performance metrics, and commercialization objectives.
- Ensure alignment of program activities with Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), MTRAC, and university priorities.
- Monitor program outcomes and implement strategies to maximize startup creation, licensing, follow-on funding, and economic impact.
- Provide leadership to project teams, researchers, mentors, and commercialization stakeholders.
Commercialization & Portfolio Development
- Advise faculty, researchers, and project teams on commercialization strategies, market validation, customer discovery, startup formation, licensing, and funding pathways.
- Assist project teams in developing commercialization plans, milestone-driven project roadmaps, and investor-ready materials.
- Monitor project progress, evaluate milestone achievement, and recommend funding decisions.
- Identify commercialization barriers and connect teams with appropriate resources and subject matter experts.
- Facilitate access to translational research funding, risk assessment services, and entrepreneurial support programs.
Ecosystem Development, Partnerships & Investor Engagement
- Develop and maintain relationships with venture capital firms, angel investors, industry partners, accelerators, SmartZones, economic development organizations, and statewide innovation programs.
- Recruit and manage mentors, coaches, oversight committee members, and external advisors.
- Facilitate strategic introductions and networking opportunities for awardees.
- Represent the Wayne State University MTRAC program at conferences, industry events, investor meetings, and ecosystem gatherings throughout Michigan and nationally.
- Expand statewide participation and collaboration among universities, research institutions, and commercialization organizations.
Proposal Management & Oversight Committee Administration
- Develop and administer funding solicitations, proposal review processes, and project selection activities.
- Coordinate Letters of Intent, full proposal submissions, oral presentations, and award recommendations.
- Organize and facilitate Oversight Committee meetings and project reviews.
- Prepare project evaluations, funding recommendations, and progress reports for stakeholders.
- Ensure transparency, consistency, and compliance throughout the award review and selection process.
Reporting, Compliance & Financial Oversight
- Ensure compliance with all program requirements, funding agreements, university policies, and sponsor expectations.
- Oversee collection and reporting of economic impact metrics, including startups, licenses, jobs created, follow-on funding, and commercialization outcomes.
- Work collaboratively with administrative staff to monitor budgets, expenditures, matching funds, reimbursements, and project accounting.
- Prepare periodic reports, presentations, and performance updates for MEDC, the Technology Commercialization team, university leadership, and other stakeholders.
- Support audits, program reviews, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: Master’s degree
Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Computer Science, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field with significant experience in technology commercialization, innovation management, or research translation.
Experience: Expert (established subject matter expert, 7+ years’ experience).
Required:
- Seven (7) or more years of progressively responsible experience in technology commercialization, innovation management, venture development, startup acceleration, economic development, technology transfer, research administration, or a related field.
- Experience managing complex programs involving multiple stakeholders and external partners.
- Experience evaluating early-stage technologies and commercialization opportunities.
- Experience working with faculty researchers, startups, entrepreneurs, investors, or corporate innovation partners.
- Demonstrated experience managing budgets, grants, contracts, or sponsored programs.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience administering translational research funding programs such as Michigan Translational Research and Commercialization (MTRAC), National Science Foundation Innovation Corps (NSF I-Corps), National Science Foundation Accelerating Research Translation (NSF ART), Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Economic Development Administration (EDA), or similar initiatives.
- Experience founding, leading, investing in, advising, or scaling startup companies.
- Experience working within a university technology transfer or innovation ecosystem.
- Established network within Michigan's entrepreneurial, investment, and economic development communities.
- Experience supporting venture capital fundraising, angel investment, licensing transactions, or startup formation.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge:
- Technology commercialization and innovation ecosystem practices.
- Startup formation, venture development, and entrepreneurial support programs.
- Intellectual property, licensing, and technology transfer principles.
- Translational research funding mechanisms and commercialization pathways.
- Economic development and university-industry partnership models.
- State and federal funding programs supporting innovation and entrepreneurship.
Skills:
- Strategic planning and program management.
- Business development and relationship management.
- Proposal review and portfolio evaluation.
- Financial management and budget oversight.
- Public speaking, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement.
- Data analysis, performance measurement, and reporting.
- Project management and organizational leadership.
Abilities:
- Build productive relationships across academia, industry, government, and investment communities.
- Evaluate emerging technologies and assess commercial potential.
- Influence and collaborate with diverse stakeholders without direct authority.
- Manage multiple priorities and complex projects simultaneously.
- Translate technical concepts into business and commercialization opportunities.
- Exercise sound judgment in funding, commercialization, and strategic decisions.
- Work independently while fostering collaboration and teamwork.
- Travel throughout Michigan and nationally to support program objectives and stakeholder engagement.
SCHOOL/COLLEGE/DIVISION:
The Division of Research & Innovation
PRIMARY DEPARTMENT:
H0905 - VP Research
EMPLOYMENT TYPE:
- Regular Employee
- Job type: Fractional Time
- Job category: Staff/Administrative
FUNDING/SALARY INFORMATION:
- Compensation type: Annual Salary
- Hourly rate:
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Normal office environment.
Occasional travel is required.
JOB OPENINGS:
- Number of openings: 1
- Reposted position: No
BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIREMENTS:
University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the university will inform you if a background check is required.
Program Director Job Roles in Michigan
See all Program Director Jobs in Michigan
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Search Program Director Jobs in MichiganProgram Director Jobs in Michigan: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for program directors in Michigan?
Large healthcare systems including Henry Ford Health, Beaumont Health, and Michigan Medicine are among the more active sponsors for program director roles in Michigan. Ford Motor Company, General Motors, and Stellantis also sponsor through their corporate and foundation arms. Universities such as the University of Michigan and Michigan State University regularly sponsor program directors in research, academic affairs, and student services.
Which visa types are most common for program director roles in Michigan?
The H-1B visa is the most common visa category for program directors in Michigan, since the role typically requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant field and qualifies as a specialty occupation. Employers in higher education may also use the H-1B1 visa or J-1 visa for exchange-based roles. Candidates with extraordinary ability in their field sometimes pursue the O-1A, though this requires substantial documentation of recognition and achievement.
Which cities in Michigan have the most program director sponsorship jobs?
Detroit and its metro suburbs, including Dearborn, Troy, and Southfield, account for the largest share of program director sponsorship activity in Michigan, driven by automotive, healthcare, and nonprofit employers. Ann Arbor is the second major hub, anchored by the University of Michigan and a concentration of life sciences and technology firms. Grand Rapids has a growing healthcare sector, with Corewell Health representing a notable source of program-level hiring.
How to find program director visa sponsorship jobs in Michigan?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for roles where employers have a demonstrated history of visa sponsorship, which is particularly useful for program director positions in Michigan where sponsorship is not always advertised upfront. You can search by state and role type to surface opportunities across healthcare, higher education, and corporate sectors. Reviewing the employer's prior H-1B filings through Migrate Mate can help you assess sponsorship likelihood before applying.
Are there state-specific factors that affect visa sponsorship for program directors in Michigan?
Michigan's concentration of large anchor institutions in healthcare and higher education means many program director roles fall under employers with established immigration compliance programs, which can make the sponsorship process more straightforward than with smaller organizations. Prevailing wage requirements for program directors in the Detroit and Ann Arbor metro areas reflect the regional labor market and are set by the Department of Labor, which employers must meet to file a valid Labor Condition Application before sponsoring an H-1B.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored program director jobs in Michigan?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.