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Director Position, Greg Arnold Center for Entrepreneurship at Stephen F. Austin State University

  • 1.  Director Position, Greg Arnold Center for Entrepreneurship at Stephen F. Austin State University

    Posted 09-19-2022 15:59

    The Rusche College of Business (RCOB) at Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA) seeks a highly qualified and visionary leader to fill a full-time Director position to help launch and grow a newly funded Greg Arnold Center for Entrepreneurship in the College. The function of the Center is to provide resources and support for students, alumni, and the community by developing, launching, administering and evaluating a wide range of entrepreneurial events, activities, and programs. The center will look to serve as the hub of student-oriented entrepreneurial activities directed at both the RCOB as well as the SFA community.

    The Director will report to the Dean of the RCOB and work closely with other key stakeholders of the RCOB (including the Entrepreneurship Academic Program Director, engaged faculty, and community business partners and/or advisory board) to co-develop and define the strategic vision of the entrepreneurship center.

    Essential Job Functions

    This is a supervisory position responsible for leading the center whose function is to provide resources and support to students, alumni and the community by developing, launching, managing and evaluating a wide range of entrepreneurial events, activities and programs. Works under general supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Reports to the Dean of the Nelson Rusche College of Business.

    1. Develops a portfolio of relevant career support activities and resources for students seeking internships and full-time positions in startups, venture capital and private equity.
    2. Prepares and creates programmatic materials and content that support the unique needs of students interested in entrepreneurship and innovation.
    3. Manages and stewards early-stage commercialization and startup teams within the entrepreneurial process towards a funding opportunity.
    4. Provides individual and small group coaching to career education and job search preparation programs.
    5. Determines fiscal requirements and prepares budgetary recommendations for educational programs. Monitors, verifies and reconciles expenditure of budgeted funds.
    6. Identifies, analyzes and interprets metrics of interest, including both quantitative and qualitative measures. Communicates results, makes recommendations and implement improvements.
    7. Ensures progress toward objectives by working closely with key internal and external stakeholders.
    8. Serves as primary point of contact for students, prospective students and alumni interested in entrepreneurship and innovation.
    9. Develops and promotes a nurturing community for entrepreneurs and innovators.
    10. Teaches entrepreneurial courses to support the academic program.
    11. Represents the college within the entrepreneurial community at large to build its presence, source job opportunities and facilitate alumni engagement.
    12. Educates on and advocates for stakeholder needs within startup, entrepreneurship and VC/PCE communities.
    13. Hires, trains and supervises assigned staff, including student workers.
    14. Stays abreast of developments and emerging trends related to the area of responsibility.
    15. Provides additional ad-hoc project management, coordination and/or other duties as required and as related to the center's mission and vision.

    Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

    The individual must possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.

    1. Knowledge of, or ability to learn, university policies and procedures.
    2. Knowledge of federal, state and local laws, statutes, regulations, codes and standards related to the area of responsibility.
    3. Extensive working knowledge of ideation, commercialization and acceleration programs.
    4. Knowledge and understanding of the new venture creation process from ideation and validation to launch and fundraising.
    5. Knowledge and understanding of industry, venture capital and non-traditional funding sources as well as academia collaboration practices to secure federal, state and local economic development grant opportunities.
    6. Knowledge and understanding of higher education systems and structures.
    7. Organizational skill in managing projects simultaneously while maintaining a satisfactory work product.
    8. Skill in using computer applications including spreadsheet, database, and word processing software.
    9. Skill in public speaking and delivering presentations to individuals and groups.
    10. Ability to provide hands-on support and strategic guidance to early-stage ventures.
    11. Ability to link research capabilities with market needs and trends to identify opportunities for innovations and collaborations.
    12. Ability to provide support for student development with a demonstrable concern for students.
    13. Ability to proactively identify potential challenges and make recommendations to solve them.
    14. Ability to plan, implement and evaluate programs.
    15. Ability to manage a budget and work within the constraints of that budget.
    16. Ability to effectively market the programs and services of the department.
    17. Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form.
    18. Ability to maintain effective interpersonal relationships.
    19. Ability to work effectively with internal and external stakeholders, delivering positive customer service experiences.
    20. Ability to train and supervise others.
    21. Ability and desire to promote a favorable image of the center, the college and the university.

    Required Education

     Bachelor's degree in business, management, finance, entrepreneurship, public administration or a related field is required.

     Required Experience and Training

     Five years of experience in facilitating successful startups through an accelerator, incubator, angel network or venture capital fund. Substantial experience in entrepreneurial activity may be substituted for startups facilitation experience. Proven track record of working with industry mentors to support startup and founder development is required. Successful record as a founder of an enterprise, of launching new ideas and/or working in a startup organization is required. Proven experience in engaging stakeholders in academic and corporate cultures to drive innovation outcomes is required.

    Preferred Qualifications

    Master's degree in a related field is preferred. Three or more years of professional experience in university program development and/or entrepreneurship education is preferred. Experience in marketing and communications is preferred.

    Please visit the following link for more information
    Stephen F. Austin State University Portal | Director, Greg Arnold Center for Entrepreneurship (sfasu.edu)

    Thank you,

    Raymond J. Jones, III, Ph.D.,
    Entrepreneurship Program Director
    Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship and Strategy
    Nelson Rusche College of Business
    Stephen F. Austin State University
    raymond.jones@sfasu.edu



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    Raymond Jones
    Stephen F. Austin State University
    Nacogdoches TX
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