Location: San Jose, CA
Reports To: SVP & Chief Community Officer / General Manager of Connect Labs
Type: Full-Time | In-Person

Overview & Description: 
As the Director, Connect Labs San Jose, you will play a crucial role as the face of our center, orchestrating the daily operations and leading a dynamic team. This role involves managing site operations, fostering a collaborative ecosystem of innovators, capital partners, and industry stakeholders, and driving life-science entrepreneurs towards successful commercialization. As the general manager, you will oversee the member experience, team management, partner relations, sponsor engagements, issue resolution, risk management, and operational excellence of facilities, all while upholding the culture and brand of Connect Labs and Wexford. You will also be tasked with selecting, mentoring, and developing a diverse and high-performing site staff across various domains, including laboratory, office, facilities, and programming, with a focus on operational and client service excellence. Finally, you will work to actively identify and implement creative strategies to enhance and amplify the existing work within the local ecosystem through Connect Labs and Wexford. This involves recruiting additional innovation-supporting entities such as workforce programs, accelerators, shared facilities, and venture funds to the space, fostering collaboration and goodwill throughout the ecosystem. The position will report to the SVP & Chief Community Officer / General Manager of Connect Labs.

 

Responsibilities
Leasing & Tenant Management
    • Cultivate a pipeline of resident companies, actively recruiting new members.
    • Engage in business development, marketing, and client experience to generate new leads and expand the site’s network.
    • Handle leasing and sales activities.
    • Collaborate with the partners to enhance tenant growth opportunities.

Community Relations & Engagement

    • Establish and strengthen partnerships with industry, academic institutions and ecosystem leaders.
    • Build a network of top-tier academics, industry experts, and entrepreneurs to advise resident entrepreneurs.
    • Maintain excellent relations with landlord and work together on site-specific initiatives.
    • Manage sponsor relationships and ensure fulfillment of sponsorship benefits at the site level.
    • Foster the local entrepreneurial ecosystem by building relationships with local entrepreneurs and community leaders. This involves partnering with key allies, networking, participating in speaking engagements, and serving on committees and boards.

Leadership & Operations

    • Develop and manage budgets, set revenue targets, control costs, and report financial progress.
    • Monitor and report on site KPIs and overall performance.
    • Lead the Connect Labs team effectively, promoting professional growth and a positive work environment.
    • Foster a culture of inclusivity, equity, and shared belonging.
    • Report on client satisfaction and business performance metrics.

 

Preferred Skills and Abilities: 

  • Bachelor’s degree or demonstrated experience in a relevant field (e.g., incubator management, economic development, university administration, accelerator programming, venture development)
  • Strong leadership and team management skills.
  • Experience in budgeting, financial forecasting, and managing financial targets.
  • Proven track record in business development, marketing, and client relationship management.
  • Ability to build and maintain strong partnerships with industry and academic institutions.
  • Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
  • Experience in operational management and process optimization.
  • Ability to foster an inclusive, equitable, and motivating work environment.
  • Strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities.
  • Knowledge of the life sciences industry and commercialization processes.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
  • Experience in leasing and real estate a plus

 

Company Background 

Connect Labs by Wexford is a flexible, scale-in-place lab and innovation infrastructure located within Wexford’s portfolio of Knowledge Communities. Specifically created for emerging and growth companies in the life sciences, computational, engineering, and energy industries, Connect Labs offers pre-built and furnished lab, support, and office space with a purposefully curated set of amenities, services, and shared equipment that provides companies the space to grow and attract talent; specialized equipment to leverage and conserve capital; intentional proximity to peers, experts and potential strategic partners; and opportunities to conduct research to improve the human condition and drive economic impact. Connect Labs is currently in Phoenix, Arizona; Baltimore, Maryland; Sacramento, California; and Charlotte, North Carolina. Connect Labs San Jose is set to launch by Q4 2026. To learn more, please visit wexfordconnectlabs.com.

Wexford Science & Technology is a real estate company that partners with leading universities, healthcare systems, research institutions, and innovative companies to develop environments that catalyze innovation, attract talent, and drive economic growth. With more than 10 million square feet delivered nationwide in partnership with over 30 institutional partners, Wexford develops everything from single buildings to fully integrated mixed‑use Knowledge Communities that combine research, clinical, corporate, and innovation space with housing, hospitality, retail, programming, and placemaking. As a long‑term partner, Wexford offers a full range of services, from strategy, capital, and expertise to development, asset management, and programming to enable knowledge-centric institutions and companies to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. For more information about Wexford, visit www.wexfordscitech.com.

Wexford offers a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance and 401(k) matching.

Salary Range: $130,000 to $144,000 per year

 

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