Executive Director for Business Innovation Group Job ID: 276488
Location: Georgia Southern - Savannah
Full/Part Time: Full Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular
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Location Armstrong Campus - Savannah, GA
Department Information Business Innovation Group
Job Summary The Executive Director will have a critical role in continuing to grow the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Georgia, particularly in the southeast region through the Savannah Harbor Innovation Partnership (SHIP) but also broadly throughout the state with the Georgia Enterprise Network for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (GENIE) program. The Executive Director will also oversee the operations of the SHIP yard and have overall responsibility for launching and leading the university's entrepreneurial efforts. As such, the incumbent will supervise the other Business Innovation Group (BIG) units such as the Small Business Development Center and Center for Business Analytics and Economic Research. They will also work in collaboration with the industry initiatives within Colleges, Departments, and Centers. The Executive Director will primarily engage and support growth minded entrepreneurs and expansion driven small and mid-size enterprises and work to connect them with on and off-campus resources for the expressed purpose of helping the region to create new businesses, add/retain jobs and obtain capital. This position reports to the Associate Vice President for Innovation and Commercialization and supervises 5-8 full time employees. Employment is contingent upon funding.
Responsibilities - Coach, mentor, motivate and manage BIG team to exceed partner expectations
- Manage, track and maintain a customer relationship management (CRM) database to monitor the process by which units measure success/failure of members
- Creates and enhances repeatable engagement processes to deliver desired clients solutions and outcomes. Proactively measure client satisfaction. Accountable for resolving issues and potential process breakdowns
- Collaborates on designing and implementing client focused policies and procedures that ensure that Georgia Southern has an effective framework for maintaining and growing business relationships with strategic clients so that they will recognize the university as an undeniable valued partner
- Stay abreast of best practices and continually grow the business incubation process/activities to improve sponsored research funding and tech transfer activities
- Work closely with internal and external partners to develop entrepreneurial and business development programs
- Serve in a team leadership capacity and collaborate with external partners, department and the Associate Provost for Innovation and Commercialization to deliver solutions to create value and satisfaction for partners. Plays a key role in helping to triage projects including identifying external partners that may serve to guide the further development of the business incubation programs
- Develop, oversee and expand the activities and services of the Innovation Incubator in Statesboro, Georgia Grown Innovation Center in Metter, Savannah Harbor Innovation Platform, Hinesville Business Incubator, and state-wide GENIE hub and spoke model, as well as to help identify potential sites (and partners) for expansion
- Work with university marketing and communications to develop and implement strategies to effectively communicate the business incubation and industry relation activities
- Build relationships across campus, and throughout the communities we serve, with information sessions, outreach programs, and college-specific activation strategy, to create strong pipelines and partnerships that will produce potential startup teams
- Create and host networking events, workshops, panels, and other means to grow and strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem
Required Qualifications Educational Requirements
- Master's Degree in Business or related field OR a certification as an entrepreneurship center/incubator director through International Business Innovation Association (InBIA) or similar professional group
Required Experience
- Five (5) or more years experience in developing industry partnerships and supporting entrepreneurial activities (e.g. startup business creation, startup governance, team formation, business and financial modeling, strategic planning, investment, mentoring)
Preferred Qualifications Preferred Education
- Project Management Certification (e.g. PMP)
- PhD or Master's Degree in Entrepreneurship, Project Management or in a technical discipline
Preferred Experience
- Ten (10) or more years experience working in C-Level corporate position or successful exit from a startup company. Experience with, and appreciation of, the differing cultures and operating environments of academia, private investments entities and private industry. Experience working with entrepreneurial and business support programs such as, Small Business Development Center, Manufacturing Extension Partnership, SCORE, etc.
Proposed Salary $100,239 - $120,000 This is an exempt position paid on a monthly basis.
Required Documents to Attach - Resume
- Cover Letter
- Two (2) Professional References
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities ABILITIES
- Consistently exhibit engaging customer service
- Ability to support various constituencies served by the University
- Proven proficiency with computers including Microsoft Office, Google, and/or applications as required for specific position
- Ability to represent the Business Innovation Group and Georgia Southern University in a range of professional settings
KNOWLEDGE
- Adhere to University policies and procedures to meet Institutional goals and support University's mission for student success
- Demonstrated knowledge of startup, business incubation, entrepreneurship, and innovation management concepts
- Knowledge of university culture and activities
- Knowledge of the region's economic and entrepreneurial landscape
SKILLS
- Effective communication (verbal and written), organizational and human relations skills
- Exceptional project/process management and communication skills
Apply Before Date Open Until Filled Application review may begin on September 9, 2024
Contact Information For more information or questions about a job posting, please contact the Department of Human Resources by phone at (912) ###-#### or by email at ...@georgiasouthern.edu. For technical support, please call the Shared Services Center at (877) ###-#### or ...@usg.edu.
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Conditions of Employment Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with Georgia Southern University, as determined by Georgia Southern University in its sole discretion, confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. Applicants may be subject to a pre-employment drug test. Offers are made expressly subject to the applicable federal and state laws, to the statutes, rules and regulations of this institution and to the Bylaws and Policies of the Board of Regents (BOR) of the University System of Georgia (USG), which are available for your inspection upon request. Legally authorized to work in the United States for the duration of employment without assistance from the University. Must be able to perform duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation. Georgia Southern University is a Tobacco and Smoke-Free Community. Proof of valid driver's license upon hire and throughout employment. Employment contingent on availability of soft grant/contract funds
Equal Employment Opportunity Georgia Southern University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, religion, age, veteran status, political affiliation, or disability. Individuals in need of reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act to participate in the search process should notify Human Resources: (912) ###-####.
Other Information - Must be able to perform duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Work generally performed in an office environment
- Workweek may occasionally extend beyond 40 hours
- Occasional travel may be required
Background Check - Position of Trust + Education
To apply, visit jeid-188e2d788a922c479#######cd96b4aa