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Georgia Southern University

Executive Director for Business Innovation Group

Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia, United States, 30458


Executive Director for Business Innovation Group

Job ID:

276488 Location:

Georgia Southern - Savannah Full/Part Time:

Full Time Regular/Temporary:

Regular

About Us

Join Our Team at Georgia Southern! Georgia Southern is a dynamic university with three vibrant campuses in Hinesville, Savannah and Statesboro serving the communities in Southeast Georgia. As a Carnegie Doctoral/R2 institution, our world-class scholars instruct about 26,000 students in associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral level degree programs. Whether you are seeking the charm of a small town, the traditions of a historical/urban destination near the beach or supporting our military service members and their families, Georgia Southern offers its faculty and staff the best of all worlds!

Beyond an ideal location, there is a place for you to work in an exciting environment abounding with opportunities for personal and professional growth. We are steeped in tradition and devoted to academic distinction in teaching, scholarship and service. In 2018 Forbes Magazine listed Georgia Southern, along with 10 other Georgia companies or institutions, as one of America's Best Midsize Employers. Georgia Southern University is passionate about serving our region while preparing our students to be lifelong scholars, leaders, and responsible stewards of their communities and the world.

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 Create and enhance repeatable engagement processes to deliver desired client solutions and outcomes. Proactively measure client satisfaction. Accountable for resolving issues and potential process breakdowns Collaborate 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 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 that create value and satisfaction for partners 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 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 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

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

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 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) 478-6947 or by email at hrservice@georgiasouthern.edu.

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. #J-18808-Ljbffr