Position Details

Position Information

Department
Hatfield Marine Sci Ctr (RMS)

Position Title
Specialist 2-Ext Relations

Job Title
PacWave Commercial Manager

Appointment Type
Professional Faculty

Job Location
Corvallis

Benefits Eligible
Full-Time, benefits eligible

Remote or Hybrid option?

Job Summary

The Division of Research and Innovation is seeking a PacWave Commercial Manager. This is a full-time (1.00 FTE), 12-month, professional faculty position. This position will be located in Newport or Corvallis, Oregon.

The PacWave Commercial Manager will report to the PacWave Director and will also receive strategic direction and guidance from the Associate Vice President of Economic Development and Industry Relations (EDIR), through the Division of Research and Innovation (DRI).

PacWave is a globally recognized wave energy test facility developed and operated by OSU, which provides critical infrastructure to support the national and international marine energy industries. Over the last decade, PacWave's flagship, open ocean site, PacWave South, has been developed with over $130M in funding, primarily from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). PacWave South will serve as the only pre-permitted, grid connected wave energy test site in the U.S. and is one of only a handful of similar sites in the world.

As PacWave transitions into its operational phase, OSU is seeking a Commercial Manager to lead PacWave's commercial and business development activities while assisting the Director in establishing the facility as a leading global test facility. The Commercial Manager will enhance PacWave's ability to provide the marine energy sector with the opportunity to conduct research and development (R&D), and to deploy, test and demonstrate innovative wave energy systems and other technologies.

The Commercial Manager will be responsible for:

Developing and leading PacWave's commercial team.
Identifying, securing, and managing new commercial opportunities to support the long-term growth of PacWave.
Designing and implementing engagement strategies that strengthen partnerships between OSU, industry, federal agencies, and national laboratories.
Ensuring stakeholder relationships are cultivated and maintained in alignment with OSU's broader research and economic development goals.
Liaising with and supporting potential testing clients from their initial engagement with PacWave and through their onboarding, and
Supporting the PacWave Director to ensure PacWave operates efficiently and sustainably, building on the global brand as a leader in the testing and validation of marine energy technologies.

Why OSU?

Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job!

Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. We don't wait for challenges to present themselves - we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all.

FACTS:

• Top 1.4% university in the world
• More research funding than all public universities in Oregon combined
• 1 of 3 land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S.
• 2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties
• 7 cultural resource centers that offer education, celebration and belonging for everyone
• 100+ undergraduate degree programs, 80+ graduate degrees plus hundreds of minor options and certificates
• 35k+ students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color
• 217k+ alumni worldwide
• For more interesting facts about OSU visit: https://oregonstate.edu/about

Locations:

Oregon State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport.

Oregon State's beautiful, historic and state-of-the-art main campus is located in one of America's best college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains and Oregon wine country. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances.

Total Rewards Package:
Oregon State University offers a comprehensive benefits package with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including:
• Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life. OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents.
• Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources.
• Retirement savings paid by the university.
• A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave.
• Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities.
• Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program.
• Optional lifestyle benefits such as pet, accident, and critical illness insurance, giving you peace of mind and the support you need to thrive in all aspects of your life.

Future and current OSU employees can use the Benefits Calculator to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development and Partnerships (35%)

Develop and lead PacWave's commercial team.
Liaise with and support potential clients, funders and partners to grow PacWave's client base. This will include expanding PacWave involvement in the Testing & Expertise for Marine Energy (TEAMER) program and assisting developers with funding opportunities through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and DOE Funding Opportunity Announcements.
Identify public and private commercial opportunities and manage the PacWave commercial team to secure these.
Actively create industry, academic, and government relationships for new business opportunities.
Cultivate relationships and collaborative initiatives with national and international marine energy partners that align with and support PacWave's long-term strategic priorities.
Establish and integrate new business streams into PacWave.
Through the Pacific Marine Energy Center (PMEC), connect relevant faculty from OSU and other academic institutions to PacWave projects.
Collaborate with EDIR, DRI, Government Relations Office, and the Advantage Accelerator to promote partnerships and drive business growth.
Explore international business expansion, including assessing the feasibility of developing an MOU with Ocean Energy Europe (OEE), or other organizations that would support international engagement.
Develop marketing materials in partnership with OSU's University Relations and Marketing to enhance PacWave's industry visibility.

Project and Contract Management (20%)

Act as primary point of contact for potential clients and manage the initial project development steps.
Support potential testing clients from their initial engagement with PacWave and through their onboarding.
Lead bid and contract management by preparing proposals, cost estimates, and justifications for PacWave's testing and demonstration projects.
Conduct contract negotiations with clients, maintaining updated cost sheets, and innovating service offerings to align with industry needs.
Coordinate with OSU units, including DRI, to formalize agreements for commercial opportunities and manage project delivery phases, focusing on client satisfaction and repeat business.
Supervise commercial project delivery tasks with PacWave's operations and testing teams, ensuring objectives and timelines are met.

Strategic Planning, Reporting, and Compliance (20%)

Provide direct input into PacWave's business planning, offering budgetary and financial reports to support strategic growth and objectives.
Report on business development activities and providing financial/budgetary information.
Regularly assess potential permit amendments to broaden PacWave's operational scope, including testing for marine renewable energy and marine carbon dioxide removal projects.
Evaluate infrastructure, facilities, and expertise needed to support expanded wave energy and marine renewable technology development.

Advocacy and Representation (10%)

Represent PacWave at industry events, conferences, and workshops to enhance the site's national and international visibility (e.g., the International Conference on Ocean Energy and Ocean Energy Europe).
Engage with blue economy clusters to elevate PacWave's standing as a leader in marine energy and the blue economy.
Facilitate site visits, briefings, and tours, promoting PacWave's capabilities to potential partners and capturing business development opportunities.
Participate in EDIR core team meetings to ensure alignment with institutional strategies and goals.
Collaborate with EDIR and DRI to align PacWave's public affairs and community engagement strategy with institutional goals.
Create messaging and outreach initiatives to elevate PacWave's visibility and impact among stakeholders locally, nationally, and internationally.
Maintain stakeholder engagement records, assessing the effectiveness of outreach and engagement activities.

Client Relations and Market Intelligence (10%)

Build and maintain relationships with key decision-makers, government agencies, and industry stakeholders to showcase PacWave's capabilities and support revenue growth.
Develop an understanding of other federal agency interest in collaboration with PacWave, market sizes, potential non-wave energy needs and requirements.
Gather market intelligence to inform strategies, identify funding sources, and create innovative solutions for clients based on PacWave's strengths and market positioning.
Continually develop new business opportunities for PacWave in collaboration with other team members.

Other Duties (5%)

Perform other duties as directed by the PacWave Director.
Support the PacWave Director as needed.
Undertake special projects as needed, contributing to PacWave's long-term strategic goals.

What You Will Need

Master's degree in business administration, marketing, engineering, science, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and training, with a minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience.
Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience
- in areas such as building and managing client pipelines, securing new business opportunities-particularly in the service, energy, or technology sectors-developing and executing external stakeholder engagement programs, cultivating long-term partnerships with industry, government, or community organizations, and leading the design and launch of new programs or services from concept through implementation, including experience with bid preparation and contract negotiations.
High level of quantitative literacy and excellent written communication, digital proficiency, presentation skills and interpersonal relations.
Experience working with clients, sponsors, funders, or commercial partners, including stakeholder relationship management.
Demonstrated ability to effectively interact and engage with other disciplines including with external parties from many diverse sectors.
Demonstrable project management experience.
Good understanding of US public and private funding mechanisms.
Teamwork; self-motivated, organized, methodical, able to develop agreed-upon initiatives, owning the task.
Positive bias towards renewable forms of energy and high sense of responsibility and integrity.
Strong commercial understanding and acumen.
Demonstrated ability to foster an inclusive and accessible environment for all learners, faculty, staff, stakeholders and partners.

This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.

This position requires driving a university vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the university; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess and maintain a current, valid driver's license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions as per University Policy 05-030.

For access to some PacWave facilities, the incumbent must be able to pass a federal background check.

What We Would Like You to Have

Relevant professional qualifications.
Specific knowledge of the marine energy and/or clean energy sector.
Experience working with U.S. Department of Energy, including developing proposals in response to funding opportunity announcements.
Experience with government relations or understanding of public funding cycles.
Experience in synchronizing multidisciplinary activities.
Proficient in Microsoft 365 tools.
Experience in marine or renewable energy context.
Experience progressing large scale ($1M+) technical bid/contractual preparation through to grant/contractual execution.

Working Conditions / Work Schedule

Must be able to drive and travel frequently, including internationally for meetings with clients, key stakeholders, conferences, and events.

Occasional work beyond normal working hours and on weekends is expected.

Pay Method
Salary

Pay Period
1st through the last day of the month

Pay Date
Last working day of the month

Recommended Full-Time Salary Range
$100,000 - $130,000

Link to Position Description

https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/position_descriptions/170007

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number
P09245UF

Number of Vacancies
1

Anticipated Appointment Begin Date
09/01/2025

Anticipated Appointment End Date

Posting Date
06/27/2025

Full Consideration Date

Closing Date
07/26/2025

Indicate how you intend to recruit for this search
Competitive / External - open to ALL qualified applicants

Special Instructions to Applicants

When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents:

1) A resume/CV; and

2) A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position.

You will also be required to submit the names of at least three professional references, their e-mail addresses and telephone numbers as part of the application process.

For additional information please contact: Dan.Hellin@oregonstate.edu or 541-737-5452.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status.

OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.

Starting salary within the salary range will be commensurate with skills, education, and experience.

OSU is a fair chance employer committed to inclusive hiring. We encourage applications from candidates who bring a wide range of lived experience including involvement with the justice system. This job has "critical or security-sensitive" responsibilities. If you are selected as a finalist, your initial job offer will be contingent upon the results of a job-related pre-employment check (such as a background check, motor vehicle history check, sexual misconduct reference check, etc.). Background check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate. Take a look at our Background Checks website including the for candidates section for more details. If you have questions or concerns about the pre-employment check, please contact OSU's Employee and Labor Relations team at employee.relations@oregonstate.edu.

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