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Job Title

Executive Director, Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Agency

Texas A&M University

Department

Dean Of Business Administration

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Who we want

Mays Business School is seeking a leader to shape and direct the school's vision to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset across the campus, accelerate startup activity, and build a vibrant innovation ecosystem. The Executive Director is instrumental in developing physical and intellectual spaces where students, faculty, alumni, and external partners engage in high-impact entrepreneurial experiences. Bringing deep experience from the entrepreneurial world and a track record of building successful programs, networks, and cultures of innovation, you will be an inspiring leader, capable of building partnerships, mentoring student ventures, and translating entrepreneurial theory into practice at scale. As the Executive Director, you will also play a key role in designing a dedicated entrepreneurship space in a new Mays Business School building, shaping it into a hub for innovation, collaboration, and venture creation.

What you need to know

Salary: Compensation will be commensurate to selected hire’s experience .

Cover Letter/Resume’: A cover letter and resume’ will assist us in our review of your application materials.  These can be uploaded on the application under CV/Resume.

Qualifications

Required Education

+ A bachelor’s degree required

+ 10 years of related experience in management

Preferred Qualifications

+ Advanced degree preferred.

+ Experience in higher education or working closely with academic institutions.

+ Track record of fundraising or building advisory boards.

+ Familiarity with design thinking, lean startup methodology, or similar entrepreneurial frameworks.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

+ Proven experience leading entrepreneurship programs or successful startups.

+ Deep understanding of startup formation, venture capital, and innovation ecosystems.

+ Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to build and lead cross-functional partnerships.

+ Demonstrated success in mentoring and developing entrepreneurs.

+ Strong communication skills and a collaborative leadership style.

Essential Duties/Tasks

Design and Launch High-Impact Entrepreneurship Programs and Curriculum

+ Develop and oversee a portfolio of new co-curricular and curricular entrepreneurship programs, including venture accelerators, startup boot-camps, pitch competitions, and founder workshops.

+ Create and scale credit-bearing courses and certificate pathways in entrepreneurship in collaboration with Mays faculty and university partners.

+ Lead the development of flagship annual events to establish the Center’s brand and visibility.

+ Partner with faculty to integrate entrepreneurship modules and experiential components into existing Mays courses and new program offerings.

+ Build partnerships with industry to bring real startup challenges into the classroom and provide live case and capstone project opportunities.

+ Instill and promote a mindset and culture of entrepreneurship across Mays and the broader Texas A&M campus.

Develop and Lead a Thriving Startup Ecosystem

+ Activate and manage dedicated entrepreneurship spaces, transforming them into vibrant places for co-working, ideation, and venture development.

+ Launch and grow accelerator and incubator initiatives for student and alumni startups.

+ Connect startups with funding opportunities, mentors, legal resources, and industry partners.

Integrate and Synergize with Strategic Mays and Texas A&M Initiatives

+ Ensure strategic alignment and collaboration with programs such as the Creative Destruction Lab (CDL), Mays’ high-impact courses, and the broader Texas A&M Innovation and Entrepreneurship ecosystem.

+ Partner with colleges across campus to support interdisciplinary entrepreneurial efforts.

Engage and Build a High-Impact Advisory Board and Network

+ Recruit, engage, and steward a high-profile advisory board made up of entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and corporate innovators.

+ Activate the advisory board as mentors, guest speakers, and strategic advisors for programming.

+ Foster relationships with alumni and external entrepreneurs to enrich the Center’s ecosystem.

Program Development, Management, and Fundraising

+ Oversee the day-to-day operations, staffing, and strategic planning of the Center.

+ Partner with Mays leadership to secure funding through grants, corporate sponsorships, and philanthropy.

+ Develop measurable outcomes for entrepreneurship initiatives and report on key performance indicators (e.g., ventures launched, capital raised, student engagement).

Who we are

Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School is a vibrant learning organization of more than 175 faculty members, 125 staff members, and 6,400 undergraduate and graduate students in accounting, finance, management, management information systems, marketing, and supply chain management. Mays Business School’s vision is building a better future through business. To fulfill this vision, our mission is developing leaders of character who make a positive difference in the communities where they live, work, and serve.

Why Texas A&M University?

We are a prestigious university with strong traditions, Core Values, and a community of caring and collaboration. Amenities associated with a major university, such as sporting and cultural events, state-of-the-art recreation facilities, the Bush Library and Museum, and much more await you. Experience all that a big city has to offer but with a reasonable cost-of-living and no long commutes.

+ Medical, (https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/medical/) prescription drug, dental, (https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/dental/) vision, life and AD&D, (https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/life-add/) flexible spending accounts , and long-term disability insurance (https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/long-term-disability/) with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums

+ 12-15 days (https://employees.tamu.edu/employee-relations/leave/index.html) of annual paid holidays

+ Up to eight hours of paid sick leave (https://employees.tamu.edu/employee-relations/leave/paid/sick.html) and at least eight hours of paid vacation (https://employees.tamu.edu/employee-relations/leave/paid/vacation.html) each month

+ Automatically enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (https://www.trs.texas.gov/Pages/Homepage.aspx)

+ Health and Wellness: Free exercise programs and release time (https://flourish.tamu.edu/wellness-release-time/)

+ Professional Development: All employees have access to free LinkedIn Learning (https://linkedinlearning.tamu.edu/) training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more

+ Educational release time and tuition assistance (https://livingwell.tamu.edu/employee-tuition-assistance) for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee

+ Living Well , (https://livingwell.tamu.edu/) a program at Texas A&M that has been built by employees, for employees

Our Commitment

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & lived experiences. Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values (https://www.tamu.edu/about/coreValues.html) which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.