Unit: Office Of The Provost MBU

Department: Office of Innovation and Strategic Design

Department Summary:  VCU's Office of Innovation and Strategic Design develops strategic partnerships and research-driven training programs that bridge higher education and industry, enhancing student experiential learning and internship experiences, developing leaders who can bring about transformative change, and driving sustainable economic impact. Done well, our work raises the visibility of VCU and its students with potential partners and employers, empowers academic units to accelerate and improve their experiential learning offerings, and develops award-winning leadership and economic development models and programs adopted by other institutions. We explore the future of work through multiple perspectives and disciplines. We design opportunities for creators, entrepreneurs, and lifelong learners to create value and sustainable impact. We empower clients to anticipate and thrive in the future by designing strategic partnerships that educate, inspire innovation, and drive real-world testing—all with the goal of achieving sustainable economic growth and transformative societal impact.

The VCU Office of Innovation & Strategic Design (OISD) is seeking an experienced, dynamic, and collaborative Product Innovation Specialist to support the growth of university-wide and external programming.

In this role, you will supplement and expand the office's capacity to conduct market research and design and deliver prototypes and solutions that advance cross-disciplinary innovation offerings. In this work you will collaborate with academic units, subject matter experts, and community and corporate partners. This position actively supports hands-on product development cycles and rapid prototyping to bring early-stage concepts to life. This role is central to operationalizing external engagement opportunities, scaling creative problem-solving, and generating new revenue. 

Duties & Responsibilities:

Product Development & Prototyping

• Support and guide active product development cycles as a core component of educational and strategic prototyping work.
• Assist in the rapid prototyping, testing, and iterative development of educational innovation projects.
• Provide product development consulting and innovation-focused training to internal VCU groups
• Translate user insights and workshop outcomes into actionable product concepts, wireframes, or testable prototypes.
• Research, identify, and evaluate potential new product revenue stream opportunities for VCU.

Curriculum Development & Educational Design

• Integrate real-world product lifecycle frameworks into workshop materials, learning modules, and design sprints.

Campus Engagement

• Guide multidisciplinary teams through the end-to-end front end innovation process from empathy and problem framing to prototyping and testing.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Degree or certification in Product Innovation, Product Design, Product Management, Industrial Design, User Experience or other related discipline or equivalent of education and experience.
• Professional background in design thinking, front end innovation, and product management principles.
• Demonstrated experience with Design Thinking methodologies and rapid prototyping frameworks.
• Familiarity with iterative product development cycles and taking projects from concept to prototype.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Practical experience managing or contributing to cross-functional product development cycles - including both physical and digital products and services.
• Demonstrated experience in group facilitation and collaborative workshop moderation.
• Prior experience in instructional design, training, or curriculum development.
• Demonstrated interest and active engagement in Product Innovation.
• A portfolio showcasing UX, product development, or product engineering work. 
• Ability and willingness to travel locally as program needs dictate.

Position Details & Application Instructions 

• Appointment Term: This position is temporary and will require an initial, six-month commitment with the option to renew
  • Renewal: Eligible for renewal upon conclusion of the initial 6-month term subject to business needs and funding. 
• Application Materials: To be considered for this role, please submit your resume/CV, a brief cover letter outlining your alignment with the role, and a link or attachment to your portfolio.

Priority Consideration Date: For priority consideration, please submit your application by November 20th, 2026

Salary Range: $25.00 - $30.00 hourly, commensurate with experience

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

• FLSA Exemption Status: Non-Exempt
  
  Hours per Week: Up to 20 hours per weed

Restricted Position: No

ORP Eligible: No

Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid

Contact Information:

Contact Name: Makayla Donigan
Contact Email: doniganmb@vcu.edu