A day in the life of the go-to operations director at UC's 1819 Innovation Hub

On any given day, Currie is busy working behind the scenes to ensure the smooth implementation of building functions for UC staff and corporate partners of the hub. He is the go-to guy who handles everything from coordinating daily procedures to providing unwavering support for the successful execution of programs.

An operations director is considered integral to keeping things running smoothly. Busy occupants of a building rarely think about how the building maintains itself. It is individuals like Currie who make customer service and the ability to adapt quickly to rapidly changing situations seem simple.

"You know, it boils down to what some might consider mundane things. But they're significant. Whatever the daily need is for staff or partners varies greatly. It's like a giant mosaic of necessities," Currie said. "Where one partner may need a door unlocked to receive furniture for their space or key cards for their employees, another may have a classroom event and need a projector. I relate it to trying to anticipate and understand what a large mosaic is supposed to be when I'm only looking at one tile at a time."

Joining the team in the spring of 2018, Currie stepped into his role at a critical juncture when the 1819 building was still under construction and due to open in early fall. Currie jumped right in to assist the existing team. Having played this role in the past, Currie helped to coordinate, facilitate and cajole contractors, corporate partners, and the university’s planning, development and construction leads, ensuring all was in place and all on board to keep moving forward smoothly.

Currie embraces the responsibilities that accompany his role as the operations whisperer. From overseeing the configuration of spaces to ensuring the appropriate disposal of materials, he serves as the nucleus that keeps the 1819 Innovation Hub running efficiently.

"I enjoy assisting others. I equate it to the role of a school superintendent or a devoted counselor,” Currie said. ”It's about serving as a component in the machinery, connecting resources to our team members and partners, so they can achieve the remarkable accomplishments they do daily."

Currie came to Cincinnati by way of Chicago, where he attained a Master of Business degree from Northwestern University. During this period, Northwestern spearheaded an initiative to establish innovation district in Evanston, Illinois. Currie was hired as its first new staff member.

In recognition of his skills, he was tasked with starting and managing an incubator program for startups within one of the buildings, serving more than 200 entrepreneurial ventures over 14 years. He attributes this experience as an invaluable training ground, fortifying his competencies and providing a solid foundation for his current role in the Cincinnati Innovation District.

Featured image at top: Jim Currie stands in front of the UC 1819 Innovation Hub. Photo/Greg Glevicky