Job Title: AI and Technology Transfer Manager

Organization: Shaping Our Appalachian Region

Project: EKY Runway Project – Future Tech Transfer

Position Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Location: Eastern Kentucky: Serving Bell, Floyd, Harlan, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Perry, and Pike counties. (Strong preference will be given to candidates residing in one of the 12 counties).

Reports To: EKY Runway Project Officer

Position Summary

Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) is hiring a AI and Technology Transfer Manager to lead one of the most future-focused economic development efforts in rural America.

This position will serve as Eastern Kentucky’s preeminent expert on artificial intelligence (AI), responsible for helping businesses and social enterprises adopt cutting-edge AI tools to solve core challenges related to workforce participation, such as childcare, transportation, and housing.

At the same time, the Manager will advance traditional technology transfer goals—identifying innovations developed by research institutions, startups, and tech firms, and connecting them to entrepreneurs and small businesses across the region. The goal: make advanced technologies accessible, actionable, and impactful in Eastern Kentucky.

This position is funded by SOAR’s Phase II EDA Recompete Pilot Program award and plays a critical role in achieving the deliverables outlined in the Future Tech Transfer (FTT) component of the grant. This position is expected to travel both in state and out of state 50% of the time.

This role will be in office 5 days a week. Satellite offices are located throughout the 54-county service territory.

Duties and Responsibilities:

AI & Emerging Technology Scouting

• Identify and evaluate AI tools and emerging technologies that can directly support Eastern Kentucky businesses, especially in Social Enterprise Accelerator (SEA) - aligned sectors like childcare, housing, and transportation.
  
• Stay informed on global developments in applied AI, automation, machine learning, and other technologies relevant to rural entrepreneurship.
  

Technology Transfer & Translation

• Conduct outreach to universities, research labs, tech startups, and commercialization networks to identify innovations that can be translated into rural settings.
  
• Bridge the gap between research and real-world implementation—helping Eastern Kentucky companies understand, evaluate, and adopt these technologies.

Partnership Development

• Cultivate strategic partnerships with in-state and out-of-state institutions including research universities, private sector innovation hubs, accelerators, incubators, and government programs.
  
• Serve as a connector between innovators and local businesses seeking tech-enabled solutions.
  

Technical Assistance & Implementation Support

• Work directly with SEA founders and other businesses to provide guidance on selecting, procuring, and implementing appropriate AI and tech solutions.
  
• Develop training content and one-on-one consultation processes to help companies apply new technologies to improve operations and competitiveness.

Policy & Advocacy

• Advocate for policies that promote rural innovation and tech adoption, including those that support technology transfer, cooperative R&D, and AI integration for small business growth.
  
• Represent SOAR at conferences, innovation convenings, and national forums to share best practices and elevate Eastern Kentucky’s role in the rural tech ecosystem.
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a field related to technology, innovation, business, or public policy is preferred.
• Strong understanding of AI applications in real-world settings, especially in relation to business productivity and social impact.
• Familiarity with traditional technology transfer, commercialization pipelines, and university/industry partnerships.
• Excellent communication skills—able to translate complex technologies into plain language for rural entrepreneurs.
  
• Proven experience managing partnerships or innovation-focused initiatives.
  
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
  
• Willingness to travel extensively (up to 50%) throughout Eastern Kentucky and beyond.
  
• Regular and reliable attendance required
• Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times stressful environment
• Must be able to handle prolonged periods of sitting at a desk or standing at an event
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at a time when necessary
  

Deliverables and Outcomes (in alignment with EDA Recompete goals)

• Cultivate 20+ technology partnerships with universities, labs, and vendors.
  
• Identify and engage at least 35 relevant tech startups or innovations aligned with core barriers to employment.
  
• Provide direct technical assistance to at least 30 regional businesses.
  
• Facilitate 50+ technology introductions between external innovation sources and local firms.
  
• Drive adoption of at least 20 new technologies in Eastern Kentucky businesses.

Why This Role Matters
Innovation can’t just live in urban tech hubs. It must be accessible to the people and places that need it most. This role puts you at the forefront of making that vision real—by helping rural businesses harness the power of AI and advanced technologies to thrive in a changing economy. You’ll be helping shape a more competitive, resilient, and equitable future for Eastern Kentucky.

Culture and Core Values
SOAR’s mission is simple: empower every Eastern Kentuckian to economic self-sufficiency through meaningful employment.

Our team culture is anchored by putting the interests of Eastern Kentucky first in all that we do. We believe treating others the way we want to be treated is always within our control. Our core values include faith, selflessness, grit, integrity, and empathy. We do our best to exemplify these daily in our interactions with each other and with external partners.

Apply Now

SOAR is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.