Executive Director - Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center (TMAC)

Location: Arlington, TX

Salary Range:$148,100 - $208,500. The final offer will be commensurate with the candidate's relevant experience and qualifications.

ORAU is conducting the search on behalf of The University of Texas Arlington for a permanent, fulltime Executive Director in Arlington, TX.

The Executive Director of the Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center (TMAC) serves as the chief executive of Texas's statewide manufacturing extension and modernization enterprise, providing strategic leadership for one of the nation's largest manufacturing assistance organizations. The Executive Director leads a statewide network of university, industry, research, and regional partners to help manufacturers improve competitiveness, productivity, workforce capability, operational excellence, and long-term growth through technical assistance, training, and strategic partnerships.

As the designated Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Center Director, the Executive Director oversees federal program stewardship, organizational performance, and engagement with the national MEP network while cultivating relationships with economic development, workforce, and industry stakeholders. The Executive Director will guide TMAC's continued growth by advancing innovation, strengthening organizational capability, expanding strategic partnerships, and championing Texas manufacturers. This position requires a proven manufacturing leader with deep industry experience, a commitment to U.S. industrial competitiveness, and the ability to lead a complex, mission-driven organization that delivers measurable economic impact across Texas.

Develop and execute TMAC's statewide strategic vision and operating priorities to advance Texas manufacturing competitiveness and NIST MEP objectives.
• Lead annual operating planning, establish performance goals, monitor customer and financial outcomes, and diversify revenue through fee-for-service activities, grants, partnerships, and other funding opportunities.
• Grow TMAC's reach and value by strengthening relationships with manufacturers, industry associations, OEMs, suppliers, and ecosystem partners while overseeing statewide marketing, business development, and customer success initiatives.
• Serve as the designated NIST MEP Center Director, ensuring full compliance with cooperative agreement requirements, fiscal and reporting standards, audit readiness, and active participation in national MEP initiatives.
• Direct and strengthen the statewide network of regional partners by aligning strategies, building technical capability, promoting accountability, and ensuring consistent delivery of high-quality services and measurable customer impact.
• Ensure TMAC maintains leading capabilities in both foundational manufacturing disciplines and emerging technologies, continuously evolving service offerings to address the changing needs of Texas manufacturers.
• Develop and maintain productive partnerships with federal, state, local, academic, workforce, and economic development organizations, and support effective governance through collaboration with the Advisory Board and Business Operations Committee.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, fiscal controls, risk management, contract administration, and resource allocation to safeguard the organization's long-term financial health and mission.
• Recruit, develop, and retain a high-performing workforce while fostering a culture of leadership, collaboration, innovation, accountability, continuous improvement, and customer-focused results.
• Establish and monitor enterprise-wide performance metrics, ensure data integrity, evaluate organizational effectiveness, and provide transparent reporting on operational, financial, and customer outcomes to NIST, governance bodies, and institutional leadership.
• Other duties as assigned