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Position Function:

The Assistant/Associate Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship & Outreach provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the university’s venture development initiatives. This position is responsible for expanding Mississippi State University’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by supporting technology-based startups, growing Bulldog Innovation Labs, managing CoWork at The Hub, co-leading the VentureCatalyst accelerator, and building strong partnerships across the university.

This position serves as a key liaison between faculty, students, researchers, industry partners, and the Office of Technology Management to increase startup outcomes, startup formation, and entrepreneurial engagement across all colleges. This position will play key role in the expansion of the E-Center offerings, including: investment fund, new accelerator programs, and programs that are run jointly with other colleges and departments. This new position will be expected to teach one of two courses per year.

Key Performance Indicators
• Growth in technology-based startups supported through VentureCatalyst.
• Increase in faculty and student participation in entrepreneurship programs.
• Expansion and utilization of Bulldog Innovation Labs and CoWork at The Hub.
• Increased collaboration with academic colleges and interdisciplinary programs.
• Growth in technology spinout companies’ Successful execution of entrepreneurship events, accelerators, and educational programming.
• Increased external partnerships, mentors, investors, and ecosystem engagement.
• Grant writing and submission

Salary Grade:  15

Please see Staff Compensation Structure for salary ranges.  

Department Profile:

Center for Entrepreneurship and Outreach helps students, faculty, and staff start and grow successful companies. We help entrepreneurs link with our more than 100,000 living alumni, learn tactical business skills, and launch companies that will help define tomorrow's markets. Through this mission we facilitate student creation of their own dream job, strengthening a culture of entrepreneurship among the Bulldog family.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Venture Development
• Lead recruitment, and support of startup companies, with a focus on technology-based companies.
• Manage and expand the VentureCatalyst Accelerator, including mentor engagement, curriculum development, and venture coaching.
• Provide guidance to faculty, graduate students, and student entrepreneurs on startup pathways, customer discovery, business model development, and startup formation.
• Assist startups with investor readiness, SBIR/STTR opportunities, and early-stage fundraising.
• Develop programming specifically designed to support deep technology and research-based ventures.

2. Bulldog Innovation Labs
• Lead Bulldog Innovation Labs as the university’s innovation and hub for technology startup ecosystem.
• Expand programming that supports product development, prototyping, makerspace activities, and interdisciplinary innovation.
• Develop partnerships with faculty and academic departments to integrate Innovation Labs into coursework, research, and experiential learning.
• Oversee equipment utilization, safety procedures, and operational planning.

3. CoWork at The Hub
• Manage daily operations and strategic growth of CoWork at The Hub.
• Recruit entrepreneurs, startup companies, community partners, and innovation-focused organizations to utilize the facility.
• Build an entrepreneurial community through networking events, workshops, office hours, and educational programming.
• Develop membership growth strategies and increase utilization of coworking resources.

4. Campus Integration & Collaboration
• Build partnerships across all colleges to integrate entrepreneurship into teaching, research, and student experiences.
• Identify opportunities to embed entrepreneurship programming within academic curricula.
• Collaborate with faculty to develop interdisciplinary innovation initiatives.
• Support university-wide entrepreneurial competitions, innovation challenges, and experiential learning opportunities.
• Represent the Center on university committees and collaborative initiatives.

5. Office of Technology Management Collaboration
• Serve as the primary operational liaison with the Office of Technology Management.
• Develop joint programming when required
• Assist in developing pathways that transition university technologies into startup companies and licensing opportunities.
• Support NSF I-Corps, and translational research initiatives, if needed.

6. Program Development & External Engagement
• Develop and implement new entrepreneurship programs that strengthen the university’s innovation ecosystem.
• Build relationships with investors, industry partners, entrepreneurs, alumni, economic development organizations, and regional innovation partners.
• Assist with grant writing, reporting, and program evaluation.
• Support fundraising efforts and donor engagement.
• Represent Mississippi State University at entrepreneurship conferences, innovation events, and regional ecosystem meetings.
• Support Vicksburg Office when needed.
• Grow Startup Summit and other initiatives.
• Help support new initiatives, like: Executives in residence, investment fund, accelerator programs, etc.
• Grant writing, submission, and reporting

7. Student & Faculty Engagement
• Mentor undergraduate, graduate, doctoral students, and faculty/ staff entrepreneurs.
• Support faculty startup activities and startup development.
• Coordinate workshops, seminars, boot camps, and entrepreneurial education programs.
• Recruit mentors, entrepreneurs-in-residence, and industry experts to support venture development.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Master’s degree in business, engineering, entrepreneurship, technology commercialization, innovation, economic development, or a related field.

Experience: Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in student learning in business, MBA student experience entrepreneurship, product development, large corporations, startup development, innovation management, economic development, venture capital, business incubation, or related areas for the Assistant Director level. Minimum of seven years of relevant experience for the Associate Director level.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in higher education.
• Knowledge of SBIR/STTR programs and federal commercialization funding.
• Experience managing startup accelerators, incubators, innovation centers, or makerspaces.
• Experience with venture capital, angel investment, or entrepreneurial finance.
• Grant writing and program management experience.
• Experience building innovation ecosystems through cross-campus collaboration.
• Familiarity with NSF I-Corps or Lean Startup methodologies.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong understanding of entrepreneurship, innovation, and university startups
• Ability to build productive relationships with faculty, students, researchers, investors, and external partners.
• Knowledge of startup formation, business model development, customer discovery, and venture scaling.
• Ability to manage multiple strategic initiatives simultaneously.
• Strong leadership, collaboration, and mentoring skills.
• Ability to think strategically while executing operational priorities.
• Excellent presentation and public speaking abilities.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive and collaborative entrepreneurial ecosystem.
• Demonstrated experience developing partnerships across diverse organizations.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Work is normally performed in a typical office work environment. No or very limited exposure to physical risk. No or very limited physical effort required.

Instructions for Applying:

All applicants must apply online at www.msujobs.msstate.edu and attach a cover letter, current resume or curriculum vitae and the complete contact information for at least three professional references.

Restricted Clause:

Position is contingent upon continued availability of funding.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.

What do I do if I need an accommodation?

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.

If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.