Director, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative

Job Summary
University of Colorado Boulder is excited to announce a uniqueopportunity within a best-in-class entrepreneurial ecosystem. Weare looking for a Director for the Innovation andEntrepreneurship Initiative, a key role in providingentrepreneurial experiences, contributing to our incredible localstartup community, and taking CU Boulder to a new level ofentrepreneurial excellence.

The Innovation & Entrepreneurship (I&E) Initiative wascreated to integrate and elevate CU Boulder’s rich mosaic ofentrepreneurial offerings, and to build connectivity with ourlarger entrepreneurial ecosystem. The Director of the I&E Initiative brings together and catalyzes the network of campusentrepreneurship partners so that we can together achieve ourvision of positively transforming lives through entrepreneurship.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with allapplicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are
CU Boulder is a leading public research university and a member ofthe prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), with awide-reaching mission that includes prioritizing innovation andentrepreneurship. Our faculty, staff, and students collaborate withglobal partners to create lasting economic and social value—shapingthe future of Colorado and the world.

CU Boulder is situated in one of the most entrepreneurialcommunities in the country. Boulder has been ranked by Forbes asthe best city in America in which to start a business, and as thetop city in America by Bloomberg’s Brain Concentration Index. Oursis a unique and mature ecosystem of 'Give First' leaders andcommitted founders, with a high concentration of both intellectualand venture capital.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
Campus Entrepreneurship Integration and Culture Building

Catalyze and forge connections across an ecosystem of campusand community entrepreneurship programs. You will create coherencyand serve as a system-level architect.

Re-launch and lead the Entrepreneurship Circle, a regulargathering among entrepreneurship-focused faculty, staff, andstudents to build awareness, drive collaboration, and catalyze campus-level initiatives.

Facilitate an annual Entrepreneurship Seed Grant program to incentivize and support creative and collaborative projects that enhance entrepreneurship infrastructure at the university.

Collaborate with, and support, student entrepreneurshipgroups.

Cultivate trusting and productive relationships with keyentrepreneurship groups across the university, including the Leed’sSchool of Business, Colleague of Engineering and Applied Science, Silicon Flatirons, College of Arts and Science, Venture Partners atCU Boulder, Advancement, Career Services, and CU SystemI&E.

I&E Initiative Leadership

Oversee all aspects of the I&E Initiative strategy, finances, and operations, in collaboration with the SeniorAssociate Vice Chancellor and other Research & InnovationOffice leadership.

Supervise the I&E Initiative Program Manager, plus studentemployees/interns.

Provide strategic direction to marketing and communicationsteam, to uplift and integrate campus entrepreneurshipmessaging.

Grow the I&E Initiative’s funding streams through grants, strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and cross-campusphilanthropy.

Student and Community Experience and Relationships

Participate in local ecosystem events – listening, formingrelationships, and facilitating the exchange between campus andcommunity.

Design and launch an interactive portal for students andcommunity members to easily navigate CU Boulder’s entrepreneurialecosystem.

Continuously discover and evaluate the student entrepreneurialjourney and experience, to identify gaps and collectively designsolutions with campus partners.

Establish relationships with peer universities, learning andsharing with other leading entrepreneurship programs.

New Venture Challenge

Lead CU Boulder’s annual startup and pitch competition, the NewVenture Challenge (NVC).

Building on two decades of impact, continue to grow NVC as theventure competition in the region, through a dedication to foundersupport, community engagement, and continual evolution.

Develop long-term partnerships with community supporters, mentors, and investors.

Establish a standard venture building curriculum forparticipating entrepreneurs that draws from expertise across thecampus and provides an accessible path for all students.

Defining Success
Key milestones of success for near term (5 years) include:

6-12 months

Ecosystem portal (launch, see above)

Entrepreneurship Circle (re-launch, see above)

Entrepreneurship Seed Grants (re-launch, see above)

Expanded educational and funding resources for students notenrolled in venture building courses

1-3 years

Shared venture tracking system, for all student founders andmentors

Expanded entrepreneurship curricula, especially within academicunits that have historically lacked entrepreneurship courses

Integrated, campus-wide philanthropic strategy among campusentrepreneurship stakeholders and leaders

3+ years

Entrepreneurship hub spaces for students, community, and theirventures

Expanded sources of capital (non-dilutive and investment) forstudent ventures

Steady, long-term growth in KPIs: student participation (% ofall grads with entrepreneurship experience; individual programenrollment), mentor connections, alumni reengagement rates, alumniventure performance, ecosystem portal usage, I&E Initiativeco-investment validation levels (philanthropic, grants, ventureinvestment, intra-campus)

Other signature entrepreneurship programs and partnerships, ascollectively selected by the Entrepreneurship Circle

What You Should Know
The Director of the I&E Initiative reports to the SeniorAssociate Vice Chancellor for Innovation & Partnerships. TheI&E Initiative is organizationally positioned within the Research & Innovation Office. This role follows a hybrid schedule working onsite 3 days/week. This position also involves occasional work during the evening.

What We Can Offer
A salary of $150,000-160,000.

Benefits
At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

What We Require

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience from an accredited institution.

At least 6 years of professional experience in entrepreneurship, including at least 3 years in a leadership role within an entrepreneurship support organization, such as a startup accelerator, venture studio, incubator, or high-performing university program.

Equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.

What You Will Need

Embodiment of the “Give First” approach. You don’t just know the phrase; you live the philosophy.

Entrepreneurial approach: curiosity and attunement to your “customers,” rapid experimentation, a bias toward action and execution, and the capacity to innovate.

Long-term vision and thinking, at the scale of ecosystem development.

Creativity and willingness to navigate university processes and find new paths and solutions.

Collaborative and relational style that builds strong relationships.

A partnership outlook that shares “wins” and elevates others.

Strong interpersonal skills and communications; responsiveness with community partners, faculty, and university leadership.

Dynamic and authentic public speaking.

Sensitivity to and appreciation of cultural, racial, political, and other differences.

What We Would Like You to Have

Advanced degree or equivalent experience: Master's degree or equivalent experience or higher in a relevant field, such as business or law.

At least 10 years of professional experience in entrepreneurship, including at least 5 years in a leadership role within an entrepreneurship support organization, such as a startup accelerator, venture studio, incubator, or high-performing university program.

At least 3 years supervisory experience.

Ecosystem leadership: Direct experience building and growing programs that support a diverse range of founders.

Demonstrated impact growing entrepreneurship programs and infrastructure in a university setting.

Early-stage founder/operator experience and understanding of the needs of a venture builder.

Front Range Influence: strong existing relationships within the Colorado startup and venture community.

#J-18808-Ljbffr