The Director of the Torch Grants will be responsible for guiding the launch and operating the program that will provide non-equity grants to companies to relocate to Colorado Springs. The Director will report to EPIIC Chair Dr. Thomas Duening, who is the founder of the program and who serves as the Chairman of the Torch Grants board. The Director will work closely with Dr. Duening to raise the $2.4 million needed to provide non-equity grants of $50K each over a three-year program period. The Torch Grants Director will be also be responsible for day to day operations of the program, including but not limited to establishing and managing a selection committee(s), establishing and managing a network of volunteer mentors and program advisors, developing amenities to support the companies selected to participate in the Torch Grants program, seeking and managing space to co-locate the selected companies, establishing relationships with funding organizations including angels, angel groups, and venture capital firms and to pursue other opportunities consistent with and complementary to the core Torch Grants program.

Job Duties:

• Help to raise $2.4 million capital for grantdistribution
• Manage the day to day operations
• Establish a marketing campaign to attract topventures from around the world
• Set up a volunteer network of mentors,advisors, and service providers
• Manage the venture selection process, avoidingall potential conflicts of interest
• When and where appropriate, set uppartnerships with other community groups focused on entrepreneurship and newventures
• Establish relationships with appropriatefollow on funding entities such as angel investors, angel groups, venturecapital firms, and others
• Work with the Torch Grants board to achievegoals and objectives as assigned

• Establish an annual Gala to introduceincoming ventures to the community

Job Competencies:

• Comfortablepitching to potential donors and asking for capital contributions
• Visionaryand capable of creating new value for the program beyond directives
• Completeintegrity, able to win and keep the trust of donors, community members, andothers
• Highlyorganized and independent worker with excellent oral, written, andinterpersonal skills.
• Self-assertiveand confident; able to speak in front of people, comfortable with serving in avisible role in the community
• Independent, able to createone's own schedule, able to manage several
  

This position has beendetermined to be exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair LaborStandards Act (FLSA).

Salary Range:  $60,800 to $75,000

TheUniversity of Colorado Colorado Springs offers a full benefits package.  Information on university benefits programs,including eligibility, is located at http://www.cu.edu/employee-services.  

The University of Colorado ColoradoSprings is committed to providing a safe and productive learning, living andworking community. To assist in achieving this goal, we conduct backgroundinvestigations for all prospective applicants being considered for employment.Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and whenappropriate, a financial and/or motor vehicle history check.

Minimum Requirements:

• Completed Master's degree from a regionally accredited institution
  
• At least 2 years of full-time equivalent professional experience (for example, working with startups, small businesses, and new ventures in an advisory or supportive capacity).
  
• At least 3 years full-time experience in a higher education environment with a strong preference for individuals with experience with budgets and other administrative processes.

Preferred Requirements:

• Completed MBA or JD from a regionally accredited institution
  
• Directexperience working in or with startup ventures
• Familiaritywith Colorado Springs entrepreneurial ecosystem