Executive Director, The C. Dean Metropoulos Institute for Technology & Entrepreneurship

Babson College • Wellesley, MA

30d

About The Position

The Executive Director of the Metropoulos Institute for Technology and Entrepreneurship (Metropoulos) is responsible for working with the Babson Community to successfully establish, grow and scale the Institute. The Executive Director of Metropoulos will work with the leadership team of the Blank school, Babson faculty, staff, students, alums, the Advisory Board, and other stakeholders to coordinate all Institute activities. This position will provide campus leadership for initiatives and programs designed to prepare learners for a tech-enabled future. The Executive Director will serve as a global ambassador for Metropoulos and will represent the Institute externally.
The C. Dean Metropoulos Institute for Technology and Entrepreneurship, builds on Babson’s history of success preparing the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders to change the world. This groundbreaking institute will bolster Babson’s leading entrepreneurial education into the leadership ranks of technology and artificial intelligence. The new institute will support and expand curricular and co-curricular programs that amplify the importance of technological innovation in the entrepreneurial process. Thought leadership initiatives will explore the critical need for guardrails when navigating the benefits and risks of emerging technologies and AI and their adoption in industry, medicine, and the environment. This focus will serve as the cornerstone of the Metropoulos Institute’s contribution through its emerging leaders.

Requirements

• Master’s Degree or equivalent experience
• At least 10-15+ years of technology, AI, tech-enabled entrepreneurship or related experience in a leadership role.
• Must have experience building and managing high profile new initiatives, ventures, or programs.
• Must have strategic opportunity, 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 as part of 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 have an understanding of international cultures and business practices.
• Must have program and project management expertise.
• Must have excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong computer and internet skills including proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• 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 be able to travel domestically and internationally as appropriate to develop new partnerships and to represent the Institute.

Nice To Haves

• PhD preferred.

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 technology, AI 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, Information Technology) to advance shared objectives and integrate technology, AI, innovation 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.
• Responsible for ensuring revenue generation and funding sources exceed Institute expenses and costs, making the Institute self-sustainable.
• Works closely with the Faculty Chair and Academic Affairs to identify and pursue grant opportunities that support the mission of Metropoulos.
• Oversees the development of signature programs designed by Metropoulos and works with appropriate stakeholders to ensure impactful implementation. This includes partnering with faculty on multidisciplinary research into all aspects of technology, AI and innovation; 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; teaching, coaching, and serving as the Director of these programs.
• Serves as the “voice” of Metropoulos within the internal Babson community and other divisions.
• Serves as the spokesperson for the Institute (and the College as necessary) in external speaking engagements, media relations, public settings, meetings, conferences, and other events where Metropoulos is expected to take a leadership role and share its’ perspective and best practices with the wider entrepreneurial leadership community.
• Collaborates with College Marketing ensuring that communication objectives are reached and appropriate goals for awareness and engagement are met.
• Builds relationships with external stakeholder including programs, organizations, academic institutions and associations that align with the Metropoulos mission and objectives.
• Manages the annual budget process as well as 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.
• 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