Associate Director, The Garage

Department: The Garage
Salary/Grade: EXS/11

Job Summary:

The Associate Director (AD) of The Garage reports into the Executive Director (ED) and will collaborate with all innovation and entrepreneurial efforts across the University in operationalizing the strategic vision for The Garage. This position will assist the ED in ensuring all fiscal, operations, fundraising, marketing, human resources, technology, and programmatic strategies are implemented. The AD will provide guidance, network and leadership in all aspects of commercialization for students using the resources of The Garage. The AD will oversee programs and events in our physical spaces in Evanston and Chicago.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Implements the strategic plan,while ensuring that the operational priorities are aligned with The Garage core mission in our physical spaces in Evanston/Chicago. Cultivate a strong and transparent working relationship to ensure open communication about the measurement of programmatic and impact performance against stated milestones and goals.
• Provide mentorship, coaching and encouragement for students in multidisciplinary collaborations and support for creativity, innovative and/or business start-up activities; Maintains an environment where students can thrive; Oversee proof-of-concept work, business cultivation, collaboration opportunities, and programming for new ventures by Northwestern's student entrepreneurs; Leverage mentors throughout the University and the entrepreneurial community by executing the stategy for "The Garage everywhere."
• Executes comprehensive strategies that will ensure consistency throughout the University; Provide updates to the ED, channeled to various Schools; Maintain relationships with units housed in Schools and centrally within Northwestern; maintain partnerships with the existing academic entrepreneurship center, Farley and Entrepreneurship at Kellogg; Recruit alumni, entrepreneurs, and business leaders to serve as inspirational speakers, mentors, and judges; Public speaking on behalf of The Garage at conferences, alumni events, and the press.
• Manage The Garage's key programs and initiatives including: our incubation program for student founders, our seed fund for women founders, our fellowship program for undergraduates, our venture fund, our annual competition for student founders, and our summer accelerator; Optimize processes and seek out solutions to automate workflow.
• Oversee PR, marketing, and strategic projects led by junior members of the team and provide timely and constructive feedback
• Operationalizes strategies that attract partners to develop technologies; Nurture relationships with industry and investors; Enhance revenue from major donors, foundations, government agencies, angel investors, venture capitalists and corporations; Work with the Chicago community, alumni relations, and corporate engagement to bring in strategic workshops and office hours.
• Maintain excellent relations with all stakeholders.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• Successful completion of a full course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelors or higher degree
• Minimum of 5-10 years' experience in technology companies, startups or in venture capital
• Track record of building innovative, creative, and collaborative teams (preferably involving students)
• Prior operations leadership experience at a startup company, venture capital, or other organization,
• Experienced entrepreneur, preferably someone who has played a key role in at least one startup
• Understanding of commercialization issues.
• Excellent rapport with the business community.
• Outstanding presentation and communication skills and the experience and proclivity to be an outgoing spokesperson, relationship builder, and fundraiser

Target hiring range for this position will be between $107,000 to $123,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.