Job Details

Executive Director for Business Innovation Group
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Position Number: 5594407
Location: Statesboro, GA
Position Type: Business and Financial Management

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.

To learn more about Georgia Southern's Vision, Mission and Values please click here: https://president.georgiasouthern.edu/performance-excellence/mission-values/

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

For technical support, please call the Shared Services Center at (877) 251-2644 or oneusgsupport@usg.edu.

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

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) 478-6947.

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 https://careers.hprod.onehcm.usg.edu/psp/careers/CAREERS/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=39000&JobOpeningId=276488&PostingSeq=1