Executive Director of Rice AI Venture Accelerator (RAVA)
Role Summary
The Executive Director of the Rice AI Venture Accelerator (RAVA) will provide visionary leadership for this Rice University and Google-led initiative focused on commercializing early-stage AI technologies. In this high-impact and high-visibility role, you will execute on the RAVA mission: to be the most highly sought after AI program in the U.S. attracting the best leading corporate and public sector partners seeking AI solutions and adoption and attracting the very best AI startups to participate in the program.
You are critical to finding and nurturing the program’s corporate and public sector partners. You will help set the strategy and direction for RAVA, ensuring the program fulfills its innovation-forward mission of transforming cutting-edge AI research into real-world applications. You will oversee all aspects of the accelerator – from team management and operations to startup sourcing and stakeholder engagement – driving a culture of innovation and excellence. This position reports to RAVA’s co-chairs and Rice’s VP of Innovation and requires a dynamic leader passionate about technology, entrepreneurship, and artificial intelligence, and a commitment to excellence.
This role is US-based only, with preference to Houston, TX-based applicants or those willing to relocate to Houston, TX.
Responsibilities
Partnership Development: Cultivate and maintain high-level relationships with RAVA’s corporate and public sector partners as well potential partners. Ensure partner organizations are engaged, their objectives are understood, and collaboration opportunities with startups are maximized.
Strategic Leadership: Execute and direct RAVA’s long-term strategy and objectives, aligning the accelerator’s activities with its mission to accelerate AI innovation and commercialization.
Team Management: Lead, mentor, and manage the RAVA team (staff and mentors), fostering a collaborative, high-performance culture that supports startups and partners effectively.
Program Oversight: Oversee day-to-day operations of the accelerator, including the design and delivery of the 12-week cohort program, to ensure a world-class experience for participating startups.
Startup Sourcing & Selection: Drive the sourcing, evaluation, and selection of high-potential early-stage AI startups for each cohort. Work closely with Rice, Google, and industry advisors to identify ventures that meet partners’ strategic R&D needs.
Stakeholder Engagement: Serve as the primary ambassador for RAVA. Be a visible and contributing voice to the AI, corporate and Rice ecosystems. Represent the accelerator at conferences, industry events, and in the media, clearly articulating RAVA’s vision and successes to attract interest and support.
Reporting & Accountability: Report regularly to RAVA co-chairs and governance boards on program progress, cohort outcomes, key metrics, and milestones. Incorporate feedback and guidance from leadership to continuously improve RAVA’s impact.
Resource Leveraging: Leverage resources from Rice University, Google, and other stakeholders (research expertise, facilities, funding) to enhance the accelerator’s offerings. Identify and secure additional resources or partnerships as needed to expand RAVA’s capabilities.
Ecosystem Building: Build a thriving ecosystem around RAVA by engaging alumni startups, mentors, investors, and the broader innovation community in Houston and beyond, ensuring sustained support for RAVA’s mission.
Preferred Qualifications
Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or a related field (MBA or other advanced degree strongly preferred). 10+ years of professional experience with a proven track record in strategic leadership and operations management.
Leadership Skills: Significant experience leading teams or organizations, ideally in a startup accelerator, venture studio, innovation lab, or entrepreneurial environment. Demonstrated ability to inspire teams and manage cross-functional staff toward ambitious goals.
Strategic Acumen: Strong strategic planning and execution skills. Able to set clear goals, make data-driven decisions, and adapt strategy in a fast-evolving tech landscape.
Operational Excellence: Hands-on experience overseeing programs or business operations, including budgeting, workflow optimization, and performance tracking. Highly organized and results-oriented.
Partnership & Communication: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Comfortable engaging with C-level executives, investors, and public officials. Able to build and maintain strategic partnerships and speak compellingly about RAVA’s vision.
Entrepreneurial Mindset: Deep understanding of the startup lifecycle and challenges. Passion for innovation and entrepreneurship, with the creativity and problem-solving skills to navigate the uncertainties of early-stage venture development.
Preferred Experience
Accelerator/VC Background: Prior leadership experience in a top-tier startup accelerator, venture capital firm, venture studio, or corporate innovation program. Familiarity with best practices in startup incubation and venture building.
Network & Influence: Established network of contacts in the technology sector, corporate innovation community, and investor circles. Ability to leverage relationships to benefit RAVA and its startups.
Advanced Degree: MBA or a relevant master’s or a PhD is highly desirable, bringing advanced business insight and a strong professional network.
Industry Experience: Background in consulting, investment banking, or venture capital is valued, indicating strong business acumen, strategic thinking, and deal-making experience.
Technical Insight: Knowledge of AI/ML technologies and trends, and experience with tech commercialization. Experience working with or within a university research ecosystem or tech transfer environment is a plus.
Salary Range
$160,000 – $200,000 per year (commensurate with experience)
Contact
Send resume and responses to the following questions to nexus@rice.edu.
Please provide LinkedIn URL
Have you worked directly with startup founders and venture capital investors before? Please briefly describe your experience.
Can you share an example of how you’ve built or implemented AI tools or systems? What was the impact?
