Chief Executive Officer

The Opportunity

Lobo Catalyst is seeking a founding Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to build and lead an independent nonprofit affiliated with the University of New Mexico (UNM), positioned at the intersection of research, industry partnership, technology commercialization, and economic development.

New Mexico is investing in quantum technologies, advanced energy, aerospace and defense, and other emerging fields. With UNM, national laboratories, industry, government, and communities as partners, Lobo Catalyst will translate the state’s scientific strengths into research partnerships, new capabilities, companies, and high-quality jobs.

This is an opportunity to establish a new institution, build the relationships and operating model that will define its future, and help advance innovation and economic opportunity across New Mexico.

About Lobo Catalyst

Lobo Catalyst is an independent nonprofit affiliated with UNM. It connects the university, national laboratories, industry, government, and communities through a flexible vehicle for cooperative technology ventures, research contracts, and partnerships. Its mission spans quantum, advanced energy, aerospace and defense, and other emerging technologies.

Lobo Catalyst will pursue opportunities that benefit from cross-institutional coordination and an agile operating model, while complementing the missions and capabilities of existing research, technology-transfer, and innovation organizations.

The Role

Reporting to the Lobo Catalyst Board of Directors, with the Board chair serving as the primary reporting relationship, the CEO will lead the organization from startup through sustained operation. The successful candidate will combine strategic vision with hands-on institution building, developing a capable team, trusted partnerships, and a durable business model.

The CEO will work across UNM, national laboratories, industry, government, investors, and other partners to structure agreements, develop state and federal opportunities, expand industry engagement, and establish Lobo Catalyst as a trusted and financially sustainable organization.

Initial Priorities

The CEO’s early priorities will include:

• Stand up a quantum applications user facility as an early initiative, coordinating the partnerships, operating model, and capabilities needed to serve external users and support applied research and workforce development.
• Build Lobo Catalyst’s organizational infrastructure, including governance, financial and administrative systems, compliance processes, and a high-performing core team.
• Establish credibility with New Mexico’s government and legislative stakeholders and pursue state and federal opportunities that advance the organization’s mission.
• Develop and execute multi-institution partnerships involving UNM, national laboratories, companies, and government agencies.
• Build a customer and revenue model, with disciplined financial management and a credible path toward long-term sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead organizational strategy, operations, staffing, budgeting, governance coordination, risk management, and performance reporting to the Board.
• Structure and negotiate research, technology, and economic-development partnerships across universities, national laboratories, industry, government, and communities.
• Identify and pursue federal, state, corporate, philanthropic, and other funding and contract opportunities; position Lobo Catalyst to coordinate or lead appropriate multi-institution initiatives.
• Cultivate productive relationships with state leadership, federal agencies, national laboratories, industry partners, and communities throughout New Mexico.
• Help companies establish a presence, partner, invest, and create high-quality jobs in New Mexico.
• Develop customers, recurring revenue, operating reserves, and the financial and organizational discipline needed for lasting independence.
• Communicate Lobo Catalyst’s outcomes and impact clearly to its Board, partners, government stakeholders, and the public.

Experience and Qualifications

Lobo Catalyst seeks an entrepreneurial executive with demonstrated strength in the following areas:

Institution building. Experience establishing or growing organizations, teams, operating systems, and revenue models from an early stage.

Government and legislative relationships. A record of earning public-sector trust and translating relationships into funding, contracts, or measurable outcomes.

Cross-sector partnerships. Demonstrated ability to align universities, national laboratories, industry, government, and communities around shared objectives.

Business and financial leadership. Experience developing customers and revenue, managing budgets and reserves, and building financially sustainable operations.

Technical literacy and learning agility. Curiosity and sound judgment across emerging technologies, with the ability to work effectively with scientific experts; specialized expertise in quantum is not required.

Cultural and communication agility. Clear, adaptable communication and the sensitivity to learn New Mexico’s political, institutional, and cultural dynamics.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Ten or more years of progressively senior leadership experience in research commercialization, technology partnerships, economic development, deep-technology operations, organizational development, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex partnerships and developing funding, contracts, or business opportunities across multiple organizations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a scientific, technical, business, or related discipline.
• Experience establishing or leading a nonprofit, research enterprise, or other organization with significant public-sector and industry relationships.
• Familiarity with national laboratories, federal research agencies, federal awards, and cross-institutional research partnership mechanisms.
• Experience with emerging technologies, commercialization, company formation, venture development, or statewide economic-development initiatives.
• Experience working with state government, legislatures, and nonprofit boards.

Measures of Success

The CEO and Board will establish specific measures of performance, expected to include:

• An operational organization with a capable core team and effective governance and financial systems.
• Trusted relationships with New Mexico state leadership and key institutional partners.
• Competitive federal proposals, contracts, and multi-institution partnerships.
• Growing industry participation, customer relationships, and measurable statewide impact.
• A credible path to sustainable revenue and long-term organizational independence.

Living and Working in New Mexico

Albuquerque offers a distinctive combination of scientific opportunity, cultural heritage, and quality of life. Set between the Sandia Mountains and the Rio Grande, the city is home to the University of New Mexico and is part of a region anchored by national laboratories and a growing innovation community. Native American and Hispanic traditions contribute to a rich cultural setting, complemented by museums, performing arts, New Mexican cuisine, and the International Balloon Fiesta.

The region offers year-round outdoor recreation, including hiking, cycling, and nearby skiing. New Mexico also offers tuition-free college pathways for eligible residents and no-cost child care through state programs, subject to eligibility requirements and provider availability.

Learn more about living and working in Albuquerque: https://advance.unm.edu/why-abq/

Position Details

Reporting relationship: Lobo Catalyst Board of Directors, with the chair as the primary reporting relationship.

Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico; relocation assistance available.

Anticipated base salary: $240,000–$285,000.

Additional compensation: Milestone incentive contemplated; final terms to be determined by the Board

Lobo Catalyst has exclusively retained UI Collab to manage this search. We are a top executive recruiter fully committed to presenting a diverse slate of candidates who possess the skills, expertise, and enthusiasm to thrive in these roles.

UI Collab works with leading organizations across academia, industry, and government to recruit talent for roles that support research, innovation, and university–industry collaboration.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are invited to share their candidate information here for their consideration: https://form.jotform.com/262851797220058

For questions about the position or the executive search, please contact:

Mindy Cohen

UI Collab Executive Search

mindy@ui-collab.com