Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program Director

Job Description

Job Description

Nebraska Wesleyan University seeks to hire the Director of the Philip S. Mullin Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program . The ideal candidate will lead this venture with the energy of a startup - generating enthusiasm and vision for long-term success. The director will engage in solving big problems and launching new enterprises through the creation of a collaborative, student-centered community where asking tough questions, risking the unknown, and driving action are not only welcomed, but required.

This program is the region's only innovation and entrepreneurship program with a cross-disciplinary design. Students will explore problem solving and startup strategies in five focus areas: business, marketing, and sports; creative design and the arts; policy and justice; science and technology; and sustainability and the environment. As a small, liberal arts university located in the Silicon Prairie, NWU is uniquely positioned to deliver dynamic experiential education and mentorship to its over 1300 undergraduate and graduate students.

This full-time 11-month (August 1-June 30) position reports to the Dean of Undergraduate Programs. The successful candidate will implement the program and lead it to success by recruiting, teaching, and advising students, and by working collaboratively with members of the campus community and external constituents, including local startups, businesses, and nonprofits. Responsibilities include approximately 60% teaching and advising.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Innovation and Entrepreneurship program - oversight, course scheduling, new student recruitment, advising, and program assessment.
• Teach courses in innovation and design, from introductory level to capstone.
• Recruit and supervise part-time instructors as needed.
• Launch NWU's accelerator and supervise its staff
• Organize and oversee internships.
• Organize and host real-world problem-solving events with numerous businesses, nonprofits, and governmental bodies, including pitch contests.
• Serve as staff advisor to the TedX Club.
• Conduct outreach and develop positive partnerships.
• Expand the programs' network of existing founders and entrepreneur
• Keep diversity front and center in goals and outreach.
• Represent Nebraska Wesleyan University in the innovation space.

Qualifications

• Completed master's degree preferred.
• Proven record of success in innovation and entrepreneurship, with a preference for candidates with at least 5 years of experience.
• Ability to create and deliver curriculum to students, and relevant content to faculty and members of the larger community.
• Appreciation and understanding of the liberal arts.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience organizing, planning, and coordinating events with attention to detail.
• Experience working with people of different races and ethnicities.
• Experience facilitating the human-centered design process.
• Problem-solving skills and able to identify and mitigate potential future challenges.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite.

Desirable Qualities

• Self-starter, energetic, motivated to learn new skills, and able to thrive within the university system.
• Team oriented, cooperative, with a collaborative approach.
• Curiosity, ambition, adaptability, and sense of adventure.
• Ability to work independently.

Salary and Benefits

NWU offers a competitive wage and comprehensive benefits plan including Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Disability benefits, Retirement, seven weeks of paid time off per year as an exempt employee through vacation and holidays, and 100% tuition discount for dependents after one year of service.

DOE/Q

How to Apply

To apply, please upload a cover letter, resume or curriculum vita, and the names of three professional references at the following URL: NWU encourages applicants to address how one or more of NWU's Core Values align with their personal values and characteristics and/or how they would contribute to them at NWU in their cover letter or a separate document. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Nebraska Wesleyan University provides equal educational and employment opportunities to qualified persons in all areas of university operation without regard to religion or creed, age, genetic information, gender identity and expression, sexual identity and orientation, veteran status, disability, marital status, race, or national or ethnic origin, in compliance with state and federal laws, including but not limited to Title XII, Title IX, and the ADA. E-Verify, EOE.