Senior Director of Entrepreneurship – Gies College of Business

Origin Ventures Office of Entrepreneurship (OVOE)

Job Summary

Duties & Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership
  • Provide executive leadership to strategically develop and implement a vision for comprehensive infrastructure and ecosystem development around innovation and entrepreneurship.
  • Set the strategic direction of the Origin Ventures Office of Entrepreneurship (OVOE) and develop and execute its operational plan.
  • Represent OVOE in engagements with a variety of constituents (statewide, nationally, and internationally), with the ability to help shape commitments, resolve issues, and contribute to agreements in atypical circumstances.
  • Create and maintain a functional budget.
  • Lead and manage OVOE staff and oversee hiring, training, and performance evaluation.
  • Assist the Associate Dean of Entrepreneurship in critical duties of that office.
  
  
• Ecosystem Development & Collaboration in Teaching, Research and Outreach
  • Serve as a strategic liaison among faculty, staff, alumni, students, and partners to foster an integrated and inspiring entrepreneurship ecosystem.
  • Represent Gies College of Business with other entrepreneurship groups on campus and in national and international forums.
  • Take a leadership role to work in partnership with other units and personnel within the University of Illinois Innovation Ecosystem (e.g., TEC, Illinois Ventures, Research Park). to grow and enhance cross-campus collaboration in teaching, research and outreach.
  • Advise and mentor student entrepreneurs and organizations engaged in innovation and venture creation.
  • Collaborate throughout the college, campus and with external partners to lead and manage the development and implementation of new initiatives that align with the teaching and research mission of the college.
  • Identify next-generation initiatives that will position OVOE at the forefront of national and international entrepreneurship education and research.
  • Support faculty in creating applied learning opportunities, contributing to faculty research, and promoting innovative, experiential learning models.
  
  
• Marketing, Communication, & Advancement
  • Work with MarCom and Advancement teams to elevate the visibility and impact of entrepreneurship efforts.
  • Foster relationships with investors and alumni.
  • Oversee the development of communication materials for internal and external stakeholders, including developing program metrics and reporting for stakeholders.
  • Extend the reach and reputation of OVOE by actively participating in national conferences and other thought leadership opportunities.
  
  
• Strategic Projects
  • Support and implement strategic initiatives in collaboration with the Associate Dean and other senior leaders.
  • Other related duties to support the strategic mission of the Origin Ventures Office of Entrepreneurship.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Five or more years of experience in program development, entrepreneurship, higher education, or a related field.
• Experience in building and stewarding relationships.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working within a university setting and general understanding of university processes.
• Familiarity with startup ecosystems, entrepreneurship programming, or student-led initiatives.
• Experience within the University of Illinois Entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Capacity to work in a fast-paced entrepreneurial office environment and flexibility in job assignments when required.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Deep commitment to student success and entrepreneurship education.
• Ability to manage multiple initiatives with attention to detail and long-term vision.
• Strong project management, relationship-building, and communication skills
• Demonstrated enthusiasm for building new programs and the resilience to navigate ambiguity and challenges faced in launching new initiatives.
• A passion for ensuring entrepreneurship programming is accessible and inclusive to all students.
• Knowledge of academic processes

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the search close date. Salary is commensurate with experience. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. The budgeted salary range for the position is $120,000 to $130,000. Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on October 30, 2025. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting, and upload your cover letter, resume (months and years of employment must be included), and names/contact information for three professional references. Please remember to include specific information on how you meet the qualifications of the position in your resume, including all relevant experience. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact rgoben@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois offers a very competitive benefits portfolio, depending on the position. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.

Requisition ID: 1032751
Job Category: Education & Student Services
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu