Director - Entrepreneurial Programs

Overview
Georgia Tech prides itself on its technological resources, collaborations, high-quality student body, and its commitment to building an outstanding and diverse community of learning, discovery, and creation. We strongly encourage applicants whose values align with our institutional values, as outlined in our Strategic Plan. These values include academic excellence, diversity of thought and experience, inquiry and innovation, collaboration and community, and ethical behavior and stewardship. Georgia Tech has policies to promote a healthy work-life balance and is aware that attracting faculty may require meeting the needs of two careers.

About Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech is a top-ranked public research university situated in the heart of Atlanta, a diverse and vibrant city with numerous economic and cultural strengths. The Institute serves more than 45,000 students through top-ranked undergraduate, graduate, and executive programs in engineering, computing, science, business, design, and liberal arts. Georgia Tech's faculty attracted more than $1.4 billion in research awards this past year in fields ranging from biomedical technology to artificial intelligence, energy, sustainability, semiconductors, neuroscience, and national security. Georgia Tech ranks among the nation's top 20 universities for research and development spending and No. 1 among institutions without a medical school.

Georgia Tech's Mission and Values
Georgia Tech's mission is to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute has nine key values that are foundational to everything we do:
1. Students are our top priority.
2. We strive for excellence.
3. We thrive on diversity.
4. We celebrate collaboration.
5. We champion innovation.
6. We safeguard freedom of inquiry and expression.
7. We nurture the wellbeing of our community.
8. We act ethically.
9. We are responsible stewards.

Over the next decade, Georgia Tech will become an example of inclusive innovation, a leading technological research university of unmatched scale, relentlessly committed to serving the public good; breaking new ground in addressing the biggest local, national, and global challenges and opportunities of our time; making technology broadly accessible; and developing exceptional, principled leaders from all backgrounds ready to produce novel ideas and create solutions with real human impact.

Director will lead the development and execution of innovative programs that empower students to launch and grow successful ventures. The ideal candidate is not only a seasoned entrepreneur but also a passionate advocate for student entrepreneurship, committed to fostering a culture of innovation across the Institute. This position involves strategic oversight of program design, recruitment, and mentorship, ensuring that students receive the highest level of support at every stage of their entrepreneurial journey. Collaborating closely with faculty, Institute leadership, and external advisory boards, the Director will drive the growth and visibility of entrepreneurial initiatives, both on campus and within the broader startup ecosystem. Reporting to the Executive Director of Create X, the Director of Entrepreneurial Programs will spearhead partnerships with the local startup community, engage with alumni, and guide students in leveraging university-wide resources to create scalable, impactful businesses.

Job Duty 1 -
Lead and Develop Entrepreneurial Strategy: Design and implement the overall strategic vision for the Startup Launch program, continuously refining its structure and ensuring alignment with evolving industry trends and student needs.

Job Duty 2 -
Primary Coach and Mentor: Serve as the primary Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR), providing strategic guidance to students through the entire startup lifecycle, from ideation to post-launch fundraising and scaling.

Job Duty 3 -
Build and Manage a High-Performing Team: Recruit, supervise, and mentor a team of coaches and staff, ensuring excellence in program delivery and fostering a collaborative environment focused on student success.

Job Duty 4 -
Curate World-Class Entrepreneurial Resources: Source and collaborate with faculty, industry leaders, investors, and subject-matter experts to enrich the program with high-quality mentorship, workshops, and guest speakers.

Job Duty 5 -
Expand External Partnerships: Cultivate and maintain strategic partnerships with local and national startup communities, including legal advisors, venture capitalists, and external service providers, to offer comprehensive support for student ventures.

Job Duty 6 -
Oversee Program Operations and Events: Drive the planning, execution, and smooth operation of all program phases, including pre-launch onboarding, post-launch workshops, and monthly Startup Ideas sessions for ideation and feedback.

Job Duty 7 -
Champion Student and Alumni Engagement: Facilitate ongoing relationships with current students and alumni, offering tailored mentorship, resources, and networking opportunities to ensure long-term entrepreneurial success.

Job Duty 8 -
Promote and Grow the Program: Act as the public face of the program, driving marketing and outreach initiatives to attract high-potential students and increase the visibility of the university's entrepreneurial ecosystem. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Job Duty 9 -
Lead Program Evaluation, Resource Development, and Continuous Improvement: Track and analyze key performance metrics, including startup success rates, to refine program offerings and maximize impact. Partner with university leadership and external stakeholders to secure funding and resources, ensuring the long-term sustainability, growth, and continuous improvement of the Startup Launch and other entrepreneurial programs based on data-driven insights.

Job Duty 10 -
Perform other job-related duties as assigned

Educational Requirements
Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Science, or Business-related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Required Experience
Ten or more years of job-related experience

Preferred Experience
o Experience in entrepreneurial ventures (founding/investment experience a big plus) coupled with sales acumen to support the launch and scaling of new ventures.
o Experience successfully taking technology/product from inception to market.
o Recent experience with students in a higher education environment.
o Experience operating early stage, venture-scalable startups
o Experience running organizations such as accelerator; venture capital investor, etc.

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.

The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for all. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, Georgia Tech provides equal opportunity to all faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including applicants for admission and/or employment, contractors, volunteers, and participants in institutional programs, activities, or services. Georgia Tech complies with all applicable laws and regulations governing equal opportunity in the workplace and in educational activities.

Georgia Tech prohibits discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, on the basis of race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or veteran status in its programs, activities, employment, and admissions. This prohibition applies to faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including affiliates, invitees, and guests. Further, Georgia Tech prohibits citizenship status, immigration status, and national origin discrimination in hiring, firing, and recruitment, except where such restrictions are required in order to comply with law, regulation, executive order, or Attorney General directive, or where they are required by Federal, State, or local government contract.

More information on these policies can be found here: https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/c2714 Board of Regents Policy Manual | University System of Georgia (usg.edu).

This is not a supervisory position.
This position does not have any financial responsibilities.
This position will not be required to drive.
This role is not considered a position of trust.
This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).
This position will not travel
This position does not require security clearance.

Successful candidate must be able to pass a background check. Please visit http://policylibrary.gatech.edu/employment/pre-employment-screening