Executive Director, TARCO Institute for Real Estate and Entrepreneurship (TARCO)

Babson College • Wellesley, MA

24d • $185,555 - $206,172 • Onsite

About The Position

The Executive Director of The TARCO Institute for Real Estate and Entrepreneurship (TARCO) is responsible for working with the Babson community to establish, grow, and scale the Institute. The Executive Director of TARCO will work with the leadership team of the Blank School, Babson faculty, staff, students, alumni, advisory board, non-Babson faculty who affiliate with the Institute, and other stakeholders to coordinate all activities of TARCO. The Executive Director provides campus leadership, and develops initiatives and programs designed to prepare entrepreneurial learners for careers at the intersection of real estate and entrepreneurship. Along with the Faculty Director, the Executive Director of TARCO will serve as a global ambassador for TARCO and represent the Institute externally. The TARCO Institute for Real Estate and Entrepreneurship is a bold new initiative dedicated to advancing the future of real estate through entrepreneurial leadership and builds on Babson’s history of success preparing the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders to change the world. The eighth center/institute within the Arthur M. Blank School for Entrepreneurial Leadership will amplify and support student-led organizations, integrate with courses in the Real Estate concentration, and prepare the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders to explore real estate as a powerful vehicle for innovation, wealth creation, and community impact. The TARCO Institute will add to the Blank School Centers and Institutes’ distinctive offerings through targeted programming designed to cultivate real estate entrepreneurs (timeline would be for 2026-2027 academic year), dedicated accelerator and incubator opportunities, sector-specific negotiation training, and academic research collaboration and curriculum support.

Requirements

• Master’s Degree or equivalent experience
• At least 10-15+ years (15-20 preferred) in leadership roles in the field of real estate, construction, real estate development, real estate technology and/or entrepreneurship or related experience.
• Must have experience building and managing high profile new initiatives, ventures, or programs.
• Must have strategic opportunities, business development, and competitive assessment experience.
• Proven ability to fundraise.
• Exceptional entrepreneurial leadership skills, including ability to identify opportunities, share ideas, and take action in uncertain environments.
• Must have significant personnel management experience.
• Must have experience working with a leadership team and coordinating with internal and external partners.
• Must be a self-starter and have the ability to lead and motivate others who are not direct reports.
• Must have leadership, judgment, and creative problem-solving experience.
• Must understand international cultures and business practices.
• Must have program and project management expertise.
• Must have excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Must have strong financial, budgetary, presentation, database management, and supervisory skills.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and thrive in a fast-paced entrepreneurial environment.
• Ability to work with all constituencies.
• Ability to create an environment where direct reports have the freedom and security to take initiative; deal with complexities with resilience, resourcefulness, and optimism; and appreciate open mindedness, creativity, and agility in thought and tactics.
• Ability to embrace ideas and changes created by all community members.
• Ability to work independently to solve problems; look for opportunities to take on responsibility; take thoughtful risks; and effectively act on new and ongoing initiatives, objectives, and solutions to gain sought-after results.
• Ability to anticipate and effectively handle change; demonstrate willingness to try new skills and challenging tasks; and is flexible in changing conditions.
• Must have proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint, JIRA, OASIS), Webex, as well as knowledge of HTML.
• Must have a valid passport and be able to travel domestically and internationally as appropriate to develop new partnerships and to represent the Institute.
• This position is required to be in person on campus at least three days per week during the academic year.

Nice To Haves

• PhD a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provides strategic direction and leadership towards the achievement of the Institute’s mission and goals that align with the College’s Critical Few Objectives.
• Oversees the day-to-day operations of the Institute, leads the development and delivery of signature programs, manages the budget, works towards financial sustainability through revenue generation and fundraising efforts, anticipates problems and issues and initiates appropriate action without supervision.
• Creates, leads, and maintains a world-class advisory board to support the development and growth of the Institute; includes individuals from a variety of backgrounds and fields including impactful alumni, global business leaders, experts in real estate, finance, urban planning, construction, and entrepreneurship, and other appropriate stakeholders that act as a strategic sounding board and guidance provider for the Institute.
• Partners with appropriate Babson College units (i.e., Center and Institute Executive Directors, President’s Office, Academic Affairs, Division Chairs, Undergraduate School, Graduate School, Executive Education, Advancement, College Marketing, Center for Career Development, and Information Technology) to advance shared objectives and integrate real estate and entrepreneurship into all levels of curriculum across the organization.
• Works closely with the Advancement team to identify and pursue funding opportunities, and continuously create new ways to engage alumni, parents, sponsors, foundations, and other key stakeholders to help drive giving to the Institute.
• Meets with high-level donors, creates programs for advancement purposes, and develops key relationships to optimize annual giving plans with the goal of having all programming, research, and signature events endowed.
• Works closely with the Faculty Director and Academic Affairs to identify and pursue grant opportunities that support the mission of TARCO.
• Responsible for identifying, developing and executing upon signature and revenue generating programs that will build the TARCO brand.
• Works with the program delivery team to ensure impactful implementation including but not limited to partnering with faculty on multidisciplinary research into all aspects of real estate; creating case studies using real-world examples; creating experiential learning opportunities that can be incorporated into the curriculum and co-curricular programs, activities, and events.
• Ensure revenue generation and funding sources exceed Institute expenses and costs, making the Institute self-sustainable.
• Conducts research independently and/or in collaboration with Babson faculty on family entrepreneurship topics; creates live case studies, leads live case study sessions, and creates thought leadership pieces for practitioner-focused media outlets.
• Builds strategic alliances with external entrepreneurship programs, organizations, and associations (e.g., Family Firm Institute and Family Entrepreneurship Research Conference), and other affinity groups that align with the Institute’s mission and objectives.
• Serves as the “voice” of TARCO within the internal Babson community and other divisions.
• Along with the Faculty Director, speaks on behalf of the Institute (and the College as necessary) in external speaking engagements, media relations, public settings, meetings, conferences, and other events where TARCO is expected to take a leadership role and share its perspective and best practices with the wider entrepreneurial leadership community.
• Builds relationships with external stakeholders including programs, organizations, academic institutions, and associations that align with the TARCO mission and objectives.
• Manages the annual budget process and P/L, monthly, and quarterly financial updates in order to keep finances stable for the Institute and the institution current on its operating budget.
• Works closely with the Finance team to ensure accountability and oversight for the Institute’s budget management process.
• Responsible for partnering with College Marketing and the Blank School program delivery team on the strategy and execution of communications, PR and thought leadership, including newsletters, website design, social media strategies, and digital marketing efforts.
• Assume additional responsibilities as required.

Benefits

• Babson College offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees working at least 28 hours per week.
• Insurance Coverage: Medical, dental, vision, group life and long-term disability insurance, business travel accident insurance, and mental health benefits.
• Time Off: Starting at 3 weeks of vacation annually, 2 weeks of sick time, 1 week of paid family illness time, 6 weeks of paid parental leave, and 12 paid holidays per year. President’s holidays are determined each year.
• Retirement: Participation in a 403(b) retirement plan with mandatory employee contributions and a 4:1 employer match.
• Additional Benefits: Wellbeing programs, virtual fitness platform, and employee assistance program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive