Executive Director

INDUSTRY ALLNS MGR 1

Job Summary
The Executive Director provides leadership in the management of a premier entrepreneurship program and is responsible for the overall program development, fundraising and external relations for the institute. Working with the Advisory Board, the Executive Director defines and prioritizes the strategic goals of the institute, as well as identifies and coordinates the resources needed to execute on those goals. This role is responsible for building and maintaining an external network of partners, donors and sponsors across universities, corporations, investors and foundations to ensure the long-term success and financial stability of the institute's programs. This role is also responsible for working with the Dean's Office and Development group at the Graduate School of Management to develop and support a comprehensive fundraising plan to fund short- and long-term fundraising objectives for the institute. Finally, this role is responsible for providing teaching and guidance in the institute’s programs and offerings. 

40% PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERY

  • Oversees successful implementation of existing programs and responsible for developing new channels for delivery of programs.
  •  Delivers institute core curriculum, or guides the training and oversight of instructors to deliver curriculum, during institute programs.
  •  Works closely with the Advisory Board to guide curriculum development for existing and future programs. 
  • Programs include but are not limited to: 
    • Entrepreneurship Academies
    • Big Bang! Business Competition
    • Business Development and Leaders for the Future Fellows Programs
    • Mentor Network
    • Undergraduate I&E programming
    • Campus I&E collaborations and initiatives

25% EXTERNAL RELATIONS

  • Builds and maintains a network of university and external partners. 
  • Identifies, initiates, and maintains partnerships that provide the institute's programs with participants including both students (university students, faculty, and staff) as well as instructors, advisors, mentors, and sponsors. 
  • Participates in participant activities and events and works with staff to ensure a quality education and experience. 
  • Within UC Davis, maintains and grows collaborative relationships with relevant academic programs in the Graduate School of Management and other relevant colleges, departments and units. 
  • Externally, maintains and grows relationships with Institute Advisory Council, industry and professional organizations, non-profit organizations, media organizations, and other internal and external stakeholders including entrepreneurs, investors, corporate research and development executives, intellectual property and corporate lawyers, professional service firms, foundations, and state and federal policy makers. 
  • Promotes the institute's achievements and advances the institute's goals by assuming a visible role in internal and external activities, including speaking engagements, media relations, and conference participation.

15% STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT

  • Sets strategic goals and oversees execution of the institute's programs. 
  • In collaboration with the Advisory Board and other members of the institute team as deemed relevant, takes a lead role in defining and prioritizing the strategic goals of the Institute as well as identifies, retains, and coordinates the necessary staff and other resources to meet those goals. 

20% FUNDRAISING

  • Works with Development and the Dean's Office to establish fundraising goals for long-term financial viability. 
  • Identifies, initiates, and supports sponsorship commitments with corporations, foundations, and funding agencies. 
  • This includes working with campus fundraising professionals to develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising operational plan that will fund the short- and long-term objectives of the institute.

Minimum Qualifications

  • No Minimum Education required. 
  • Experience with the development and launch of new ventures/businesses. 
  • Experience identifying, initiating, closing, and maintaining partnerships with a variety of internal and external partners in non-profit and/or educational settings. 
  • Experience developing, managing, and teaching within academic and/or corporate training programs. 
  • Experience successfully raising money through sponsorships, grants, and/or executive education. 
  • Strong knowledge of value and mission of educational programs and appreciation for the situation and needs of university level researchers, corporate partners, and research funding agencies.
  • Skills to effectively teach curriculum in institute programs.
  • Skills to represent the Institute in public settings, through talks, presentations, and/or writing. Skills to work well in small teams.

Preferred Qualifications

  • An advanced degree in a relevant discipline and/or an MBA from a leading business school is required. A terminal degree (Ph.D.) is desirable.