CEO of the Innovation District

The City of Oklahoma City has retained Mackenzie Eason to help with the recruitment of their next Chief Executive Officer. The new CEO will help shepherd the Innovation District out of the 'Start-Up" phase of the first five years by continuing to develop and build an innovation ecosystem focused on the next ten years within the Oklahoma City area. OKCID is a non-profit organization that aims to revitalize Oklahoma City’s entrepreneurial landscape, fostering job growth and a more inclusive economy.  The district rests in Northeast OKC,  a hub of industry, in-between downtown, OU, and OUHSC to create innovative solutions through research, technology, energy, healthcare, biomanufacturing, and aerospace. 

The Innovation District will complete construction of Innovation Hall along with Convergence Tower by January 2025. Innovation Hall will be home to the BioTC of Oklahoma, a Bio-manufacturing training center, that the District will house and operate. Innovation Hall will provide a place to catalyze the innovation assets of the region, train Oklahoma’s growing bio-manufacturing sector, convene stakeholders, and be the hub of the Innovation District. Convergence Tower, the first development next to Innovation Hall, will be completed in the 4th quarter of 2024, a development which will bring a 230,000 square foot tower that will house space for laboratory, research, office, and accelerators for innovation and collaboration. The Tower at Convergence features 8 stories as a part of Convergence – a mixed use development that will include office, research, hotel and public places.

The District currently has a team of five that includes the CFO, Executive Director of the BioTC, Director of Programs & Events, Marketing, and a Copywriter. The budget for 2024 includes revenue of approximately $3.2 million and expenses of $2.9 million. 

 
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The Background

Oklahoma City’s Innovation District is an 832-acre research and technology hub located east of downtown between 4th and 13th street, stretching from Robinson to Lottie avenues. Home to internationally-acclaimed organizations spanning Oklahoma’s diverse sectors – health, energy, aerospace, technology, academia and more – the Innovation District provides opportunities for entrepreneurship, innovation, and community growth. This 1.3-square-mile area encompasses both the Oklahoma Health Center and the vibrant commercial corridor of Automobile Alley. A significant center of job growth, the district reflects the shifting geography of the global economy and the emergence of dense hubs of economic activity where innovation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and placemaking intersect.

Plans for the district began in 2016 when the Brookings Institution and the Project for Public Spaces determined the area had potential to become a regional magnet for innovation and economic development, leading local leadership to dive into placemaking the area. What began as a dream to further Oklahoma City’s momentum has become a strategic effort to create a district that serves as a catalyst for the professional industries of Oklahoma as they collaborate and develop new technologies and services while also balancing cultural and historical assets.

From parks to restaurants to research facilities, the Innovation District is focused on creating a vibrant, fully integrated community where people can live, work and play, all while maintaining its dedication to research and collaboration. The efforts of the Innovation District will include creating substantive programming that inspires collaboration across multiple industries, positioning Oklahoma City to be competitive on a global scale.

The Oklahoma City metropolitan area has long-standing industry strengths and assets on which to build a new convergence economy. The region dominates in oil and gas extraction, and it is becoming a global center for advanced energy technology, evidenced by the recent opening of the Harold Hamm Center for American Energy, located in the former General Electric (GE) Global Research Oil & Gas Technology Center. Outside of energy, the region has economic strengths in aerospace engineering, led by Tinker Air Force Base, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman, and in health care, driven by the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC), the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF), and several private-sector firms, including COARE Biotechnology, Charlesson, and Wheeler Bio.

Over 18,000 people work in the area, which accounts for almost 5 percent of the city's total workforce. Its cluster of medical and research institutions attract three-quarters of the project dollars the state receives from the National Institutes of Health, and its improved commercialization outcome's, coupled with the presence of business support organizations like OKCID, position it to be the region's hub of entrepreneurial activity.

Furthermore, the district's proximity to downtown gives it a powerful locational advantage. Though only about 1,200 people live within the district itself, the neighborhoods to the west and south, such as Bricktown and Deep Deuce, have enjoyed a noticeable uptick in housing values, development, and amenities. The potential offered by the area from a residential living perspective is vast.
The Innovation District received funding from the City of Oklahoma City through the MAPS 4 program for the construction of Innovation Hall. The funding was made available only if it were matched by at least $10 million of funding from non-MAPS sources. Innovation Hall is currently under construction by BT Development as a part of Convergence – a mixed use development that will include office, research, hotel and public places.
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Innovation Hall will be completed in January 2025 and the Innovation District has been designated as the operator of the facility by the City. Innovation Hall will be home to a Bio-manufacturing training center, BioTC of Oklahoma. BioTC is funded by a US EDA Build Back Better grant and ARPA funding from the State of Oklahoma. This exciting new development will provide a place to catalyze the innovation assets of the region, train Oklahoma’s growing bio-manufacturing sector and convene stakeholders. 

The Position

The President & CEO reports directly to the 13-member Board of Directors. Board members represent the organizations responsible for the creation of OKCID, community leaders and industry representatives. The CEO’s direct reports include the Chief Financial Officer, the Director of Programs, and the Director of Communications.

Serving at the will of the Board of Directors, the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) provides leadership, direction and management for all aspects of OKCID activities and is responsible for effectively implementing the strategic initiatives and policies of the board.

The CEO provides counsel to the Board and other groups regarding public policy, programs and other key initiatives and serves as the principal advocate and spokesperson for the Innovation District in conjunction with the board chair. The CEO works closely with a wide range of constituencies throughout the region to build support and coalitions to support the mission and vision of the organization.

The President & CEO will possess a solid understanding of the innovation ecosystem and have the ability to coordinate potential partners around the organization's defined goals and strategies. The President & CEO will create, identify, and lead strategies in which the innovation district's anchor institutions, firms, and civic leaders will rally city and regional stakeholders to engage with their time, expertise, and resources to support the innovation district's vision to create a dynamic, inclusive hub of innovative and entrepreneurial activity. This concentration of innovation and technology assets will propel the region into global prominence within a range of converging technologies, particularly those related to health, energy, and aerospace.

The President & CEO will serve as a conduit between and among institutions to catalyze a shared vision which holds a strong value proposition for each individual partner. Fulfilling this role will require a scientific understanding of the research portfolio and the ability to identify external partners, market opportunities, and funding opportunities.
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As the chief executive officer of the organization, the CEO is responsible for a full range of activities to ensure the success of the Innovation District in meeting its goals and objectives.

​Initiatives and Challenges for the incoming CEO

​Some challenges and initiatives the CEO will focus on over the next 3-5 years include:
  • The opening and operation of Innovation Hall, including the BioTC. 
  • Bringing as many academic, corporate, and non-profit institutions into the innovation eco-system to provide the maximum possible connectedness that allows for the creation of commercialization of research into successful startups. 
  • Continue developing the Start-Up ecosystem focused on the clusters of biotech, aerospace, and energy industry initiatives to develop innovative solutions and commercialization of industry-based research. 
  • Refine the district’s strategic plan to develop meaningful metrics and revise goals as needed.
  • Implement ideas to increase revenues to the district such as the business improvement district and real estate development.​​

Job Summary

Major Duties and Responsibilities include:
  • Strategic and Operational Leadership:
    • Devise and implement a strategic plan and annual program of work to advance the organization’s mission.
    • Develop and implement a strategic plan for the operations of Innovation Hall and BioTC
    • Effectively integrate into the Oklahoma City community and set vision/strategy for organization while establishing its culture.
    • Evaluate program effectiveness and measure progress towards attainment of goals.
    • Develop, implement, and align district-wide programs, land use planning, and placemaking activities.
    • Partner with third-party experts to address and realize real estate development vision.
  • Stakeholder Relations:
    • Interact with district and non-district stakeholders including regional industry leaders, local governmental entities, the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, the Alliance for Economic Development, the Oklahoma City Redevelopment Authority, Urban Renewal Authority, neighborhood organizations, etc.
    • Coordinate the effort between public, private, and civic leaders to create effective programs and relationships to effectively use Innovation Hall as the physical and programmatic umbrella for innovation and applied research.
  • Board Relations:
    • Build and maintain strong relationships and communications with the Chair, Executive Committee, and Board of Directors.
    • Provide leadership necessary to garner full engagement of Board members.
    • Plan and organize Executive Committee and Board meetings and coordinate plans and agenda for the annual Board retreat.
  • Financial Management and Sustainability:
    •  Implement EDA and ARPA grant programs and ensure proper accountability of grant resources. Implement operational and financial plan for Innovation Hall.
    • Investigate and implement new funding sources including a Business Improvement District.  Raise necessary funds, inducing substantial additional funding beyond initial stakeholder capital, by navigating federal and state resources and developing matching funds or industry-sponsored contracts.
    • Craft and execute revenue generating strategies by identifying new streams and opportunities for expanding funding sources.
    • Establish and manage the capital and operating budgets in alignment with priorities and revenues.
    • Guide the implementation of TIF objectives in concert with governmental players.
  • Administration and Staffing:
    • Manage a highly effective and efficient organization as measured by staff performance, quality programs and initiatives, and revenue and expense management.
    • Prepare and manage a budget aligned with the organization’s programmatic goals.
    • Build and maintain a staff consistent with program needs and financial resources.
    • Provide leadership to maintain an organizational culture of excellence, respect, diversity, and collaboration among teams and individuals.
    • Devote sufficient time to talent management activities - selection, mentorship, and development of the senior staff.
  • Communications:
    • Develop a marketing plan for activities of the Innovation District, Innovation Hall and BioTC
    • Effectively communicate to the community the importance of and need to grow Oklahoma’s innovation ecosystem.
    • Publicize the activities of the organization, its programs and goals.
 

Minimum Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
  • Executive level management experience is required.
  • A demonstrated background in the field of economic development, urban development, mixed use real estate development, organized capital formation, private investing, and venture capital is critical for success - preferably to include early-stage, start-up and/or seed funding.
  • Well-experienced in not-for-profit governance matters, via historical service in a top leadership role of an organization, where reporting to a Board of Directors was a key component.
  • Know-how in building effective stakeholder relationships via quality communication skills (e.g., public speaking, presentations skills) and an established understanding of public relations, branding, and special events.
  • Ideal candidate will have been an entrepreneur or had direct involvement in entrepreneurship in a "hands on" way (key leadership roles, served on a Board of Directors, consulted with entrepreneurs, funded start-ups, etc.).
  • Successful experience in fund raising and obtaining funding and grants from state and federal governments, corporations, foundations, and the private sector is preferred.
  • Knowledge and/or expertise in technology (e.g., engineering, information technology, life sciences, etc.) is highly desirable along with a results-oriented track record in commercializing technology.
  • Direct experience developing close working relationships with local business entities, organizations and foundations that support development, entrepreneurship and ancillary training is highly desirable - is already or longs to be a part of the ongoing "conversation" to advance the innovation economy.
  • Must have demonstrated leadership and executive experience in financial management (P&L), budgeting and financial planning, supervisory and talent development, and contract administration.
  • Proven performance record of imparting strategic thinking upon an enterprise.
  • Where possible, a direct understanding of the Oklahoma City and regional market and its economy.
  • Undergraduate degree is required. Graduate level education preferred.

Characteristics

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
  • Must possess solid leadership and organizational skills, and the ability to work to create a vision and mobilize diverse constituencies to jointly turn that vision into reality.
  • Identifies with and embodies a sincere passion for the mission of the organization.
  • Embodies a "new age" leadership style - enthusiastic, dynamic, and forward-thinking with a high level of energy, a "make things happen" personality, and the poise and maturity to navigate and achieve objectives in a politically sensitive environment.
  • Transparent, candid, and confident but also humble, welcoming, and a skilled collaborator.
  • Actively engaged - should possess a creative and innovative mindset that projects an attitude that embraces opportunistic situations depending upon a quick but well-thought-out decision-making orientation.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills are required with an ability to positively interact with a wide range of constituencies including staff, board members as well as the full spectrum of community participants: academic leadership, elected and other government officials, the news media, and industry, community, professional and philanthropic leaders.
  • Comfortable in leading a decentralized, matrixed, and free-flowing organization.
  • Politically savvy, culturally astute and diplomatic; intellectually open-minded and inclusive of all segments and sectors while sharing credit for the organization's success with all parties.
Mackenzie Eason & Associates is a performance driven retained executive search firm, focused on delivering measurable results.  We are boutique by design – allowing us to eliminate the conflict issues of larger firms and engage in a more collaborative search process. Our partners enter into engagements selectively, limiting the number of searches at any given time in order to maintain the highest level of accountability to each client.  We employ a unique methodology, utilizing a highly customized and targeted approach to each search, and a follow through process that further ensures client satisfaction and increased placement success. We also know the importance of diversity to creating long-term strength for an organization, and at MEA, we are committed to delivering a more diverse range of candidates to reflect today’s increasingly inclusive workforce. 
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