Vice President of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Centerstate Corporation for Economic Opportunity•City of Syracuse, NY

About The Position

The Vice President of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, reporting to the Senior Vice President of Inclusive Growth, oversees the CenterState CEO’s innovation, entrepreneurship, and business programming to support founders, early-stage, and growth focused businesses across multiple industry verticals through a variety of accelerators, educational programming, network engagement, and direct client technical assistance. These services are primarily delivered via programming at the INSPYRE Innovation Hub. The Vice President collaborates directly with CenterState CEO’s Inclusive Growth leadership team to design program strategies that lead to meaningful, measurable outcomes for the organization and the startup, entrepreneurial, and innovation clients it serves. The Vice President also manages collaborations and relationships with strategic partners in Central New York and nationally across a network of incubators, startup accelerators, small business technical assistance providers, and economic development organizations.

Requirements

10+ years senior level experience in a start-up or entrepreneurial company and/or senior level management experience in an incubator and/or accelerator program is required.
Experience should include accelerator and small business program curriculum development, business plan development and analysis, familiarity with marketing plans for startup and early-stage entities, comfort reviewing detailed financial reports, analyzing project financing (including equity and venture capital investment best practices), and project management.
Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, entrepreneurship or equivalent. Advanced degree preferred. Additional years of experience at a ratio of 2:1 may be considered in lieu of a bachelor’s degree.
The Vice President of Innovation and Entrepreneurship demonstrates a complete understanding of the small business, entrepreneurial, and innovation ecosystem – regionally and nationally - and has a proven ability to structure outcome-driven partnerships and projects.
The Vice President will have extensive experience with state and federal technology and economic development programs.
The Vice President of Innovation and Entrepreneurship position is highly visible. The position requires extensive internal leadership and external community interaction at the most senior levels of the community, with elected officials, media representatives, and with CenterState CEO’s Network. Professional decorum and diplomacy are essential. Results will be highly dependent on a deep working relationship with key university, public and private sector partners.
Must have a valid driver’s license and passport.
High-level organizational and project management skills.
Strategic thinking, resource development and financial management capabilities
Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to build consensus with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
Ability to read, analyze and interpret detailed financial statements, general reference periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or government regulations.
Strong organizational skills including the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Close mental and visual attention required to perform work dealing primarily with preparing, analyzing, and interpreting data and figures, using a computer terminal, and/or extensive reading.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Oversee the design, development, delivery, and evaluation of accelerator programs and client services curriculum.
Ensure alignment of programs with commercialization, tax incentive, and investment initiatives administered by Federal and State agencies, financial institutions, nonprofit organizations, and CenterState CEO.
In collaboration with other CenterState CEO staff, develop and manage a portfolio of educational, social, and networking programs for CenterState CEO Network Members, clients, and INSPYRE Innovation Hub participants.
Monitor accelerator and client metrics to track progress toward program outputs and outcomes.
Provide direct venture development services and technical assistance for CenterState CEO investment portfolio companies.
Build and maintain strategic relationships with regional and national partners, including incubators, accelerators, technical assistance providers, and economic development organizations.
Secure sustainable funding and develop new partnerships to support innovation & entrepreneurship programming.
Create meaningful opportunities for Network Members and community stakeholders to engage with and support entrepreneurial clients.
As part of the Inclusive Growth team at CenterState CEO, oversee program budget, ensuring responsible fiscal management of grants, facility revenue, and program expenses.
Support special event planning and execution, contributing to the financial sustainability of programs.
In cooperation with the SVPs of Inclusive Growth and Administration and Human Capital, and the Director of Facilities, ensure a high-quality client and tenant physical plant experience at the INSPYRE Innovation Hub.
Coordinate with the CenterState CEO Marketing and Communications team to promote relevant programs and events.
Implement performance metrics to track startup growth, investment attraction, and program outcomes.
Evaluate accelerator performance using data-driven insights to improve outcomes and program effectiveness.
Measure ecosystem impact through startup formation, capital raised, job creation, and commercialization milestones.
Collaborate on organization-wide strategic planning for key regional programs.
Lead the development of special projects, briefings, and initiatives that advance the mission of CenterState CEO.
Directly supervises CenterState CEO staff working with small businesses and entrepreneurship clients and programs.
Responsible for performance management, professional development, goal setting, and ensuring team accountability toward program and organizational objectives.