Executive Director, Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

George Mason University•Fairfax, VA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship develops experiential learning opportunities to complement and expand traditional academic offerings, drives the growth of regional and global entrepreneurship ecosystems and to empowers our students, alumni, and community members as they create new ventures. The center has unique focus on experiential entrepreneurship and creating societal impact through its programs and initiatives. The Executive Director is a strategic leader who is responsible for all aspects of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) activities including strategic planning, operations, financial viability, design and delivery of programs, new initiatives, growth research, communications, and fundraising to build entrepreneurship industry relationships and raise the presence and reputation of CIE as a platform for entrepreneurship education and forum for innovative community engagement. The Executive Director leads expansion with other programs within the Costello College of Business including experiential learning initiatives for graduate and undergraduate students across all fields of study and spearheads collaborative efforts with the Minor in Entrepreneurship program, Costello graduate programs, and works to create jointly organized events with internal and external partners for future entrepreneurs (K-12 students) and the undergraduate Minor in Entrepreneurship program.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in related field or the equivalent combination of education and experience;
At least 10 years of leadership experience in any of the following areas of entrepreneurship: entrepreneurship, executive-level corporate innovation, spanning venture creation and exit, innovation leadership in complex organizations, ecosystem development, entrepreneurship education, and thought leadership;
Demonstrated track record of building positive relationships with industry professionals and the business community;
Experience overseeing complex budgets and financial viability;
Knowledge of budget development, financial management, and resource allocation;
Awareness of fundraising and advancement strategies, including grant writing, donor stewardship, or raising seed funding for a business or creating new revenue streams for a corporation;
Understanding of how to oversee marketing, communications, and event planning for outreach and engagement;
Familiarity with academic research processes and scholarly publishing;
Knowledge of and experience in small business or new venture creation, the startup industry, relevant organizations, and firms;
Strategic planning and implementation skills, including setting and achieving long-term goals;
Excellent written and oral communication skills for diverse audiences (faculty, students, donors, internal and external partners);
Strong leadership and team management skills for full-time employees who may also have direct reports, including performance evaluation, workflow management and constructive feedback;
Grant or donor proposal or business pitch deck writing skills;
Collaboration and relationship-building skills with internal and external stakeholders;
Strong organizational and project management skills;
Ability to develop and deliver academic courses in entrepreneurship or related fields;
Ability to build, motivate, and manage diverse teams;
Ability to foster interdisciplinary collaboration across university units;
Ability to analyze data, prepare reports, and make data-informed decisions;
Ability to balance multiple priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment;
Innovative and entrepreneurial mindset with proactive approach to problem-solving; and
Willingness to travel, ability to work occasional evening and weekend hours and engage in outreach activities on behalf of the center.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in related field;
Demonstrated experience in managing philanthropic and external funding and/or revenue generating operations;
Experience leading advisory councils, cross-functional teams and managing internal and external partnerships;
In-depth understanding of entrepreneurship education and best practices;
Familiarity with higher education governance, operations, and strategic planning;
Knowledge of risk management and legal compliance in higher education;
Knowledge of the specific landscape of entrepreneurship in higher education, especially within the region;
Familiarity with entrepreneurship programs and cultural awareness in international contexts;
Proficiency in data-driven decision-making and leveraging data for program improvement;
Advanced knowledge of digital tools for communication, outreach, and content management (e.g., website maintenance, social media, CRM systems);
Ability to craft compelling narratives for fundraising and engagement campaigns;
Ability to cultivate alumni and external community support for academic and extracurricular programs;
Ability to lead innovative programs or initiatives within a corporate, government or higher education setting;
Ability to grow the center’s academic reputation and available resources through networking opportunities and related conferences
Flexibility to adapt to emerging needs in the entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem; and
Enthusiasm for championing the mission of the center and engaging with the entrepreneurial community.

Responsibilities

Strategic and center Leadership
Develop short and long-term strategic plans with consultation and participation of the Dean, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Global Engagement, the Chair of the Advisory Council and the Director of Operations and Engagement;
Seek and promote programmatic activities, faculty collaborations (research and teaching), and student learning experiences across various units of the Costello College of Business and the University;
Build the academic reputation of the center through academic research or white papers in coordination with the center’s Director of Research;
Actively promote entrepreneurship across campus and to current and prospective students and families;
Develop/teach courses in entrepreneurship or related topics as needed;
Collaborate with other entrepreneurship related units at George Mason;
Collaborate with the Management area and Director, Minors Program to promote the Entrepreneurship minor and courses;
Provide strategic oversight for CIE at Mason Korea;
Establish program expectations and objectives for execution by the CIE teams at Fairfax and Mason Korea campuses; and
Engage Costello faculty in center activities. Supervision
Responsible for setting goals for performance and deadlines in ways that comply with the College’s and center’s plans and vision and communicate them to the CIE team;
Communicate workflow, monitor employee productivity and provide constructive feedback and coaching; resolve problems and communicate information;
Prepare and submit performance evaluations. Ensure adherence to legal and university policies and procedures;
Direct and work with the Director of Operations and Engagement, the Director of Research, Entrepreneurs in Residence and Instructors on program content and execution. Provide overall leadership to the CIE operational team; and
Provide guidance and oversight for CIE team at Mason Korea. Financial & Operations
Oversee the center's philanthropic efforts, grants, and revenue-generating activities to ensure long-term financial sustainability and cost neutrality;
Lead the Director of Operations and Engagement in the development of the annual budget for the center;
Ensure that center is appropriately supported with needed resources and staff. Ensure that the center has sufficient funding to meet daily operational expenses;
Oversee center schedule of activities and preparation of periodic reports;
Develop substantive programs or initiatives that add value to the region;
Ensure center’s activities, including the SOAR Initiative cohorts and Patriot Pitch Competition, are well-planned, marketed, and executed, delivering value to program participants, students, the center, College, and University;
Establish and maintain MOU agreements with external partners for community facing programming;
Oversee that Risk Management procedures are maintained and followed for Honey Bee Initiative operations;
Coordinate events and engagement efforts with CIE team in Mason Korea; and
Work with Advisory Council members and industry professionals to create internship opportunities for CIE and Entrepreneurship Minor students.
Outreach, Advancement & Extramural Funding
Develop, implement, and execute a strategic fundraising campaign to include event sponsorship, outreach, fundraising goals, etc., working with the Dean’s Office, CIE Advisory Council and the Costello College of Business Advancement and Alumni Relations team and Costello College of Business Marketing and Communications team to ensure long term self-sustainability of the center;
Responsible within the Center for developing leads for fundraising;
Manage CIE Advisory Council:
Maintain relationships with Advisory Council members;
Manage agenda content for these meetings;
Develop leads for recruitment of new Council members;
Identify potential private and institutional donors including relevant grant writing opportunities;
Provide leadership for grant opportunities and donor pitches;
Coordinate and participate in meetings with potential donors;
Develop and implement stewardship and relationship management plan for center supporters and donors;
Serve as the primary point of contact for CIE to the entrepreneurship industry;
Attend key industry events;
Work with CIE Advisory Council and Director of Operations and Engagement to facilitate strategic outreach to the entrepreneurship industry including awareness building, special events, etc. related to CIE programs; and
Serve as the center’s point of contact for internal and external media opportunities. Teaching
Teaching load of 3 credits per academic year.