Director, Lehigh Ventures Lab

Job no: 501322
Work type: Exempt Staff Full-time
Location: Bethlehem
Categories: Higher Education Administration

Responsible for managing the startup infrastructure, programming, deal flow and innovative business model for Lehigh’s new, on site startup business accelerator called Lehigh Ventures Lab for full time founders from the alumni, faculty and the community. Additionally this will include an adjacent “Boost” Lab for student founders running their startups while finishing their degrees. This position is funded for three years pending a successful rollout, 3 recruitment cycles, creation of a sustainable business model and successful outcomes for the early cohorts of founders. The Lehigh community takes seriously our commitment to antiracism and The Principles of our Equitable Community.

1. Create, direct and manage the infrastructure, operations, funding and other resources for the Lehigh Ventures Lab, Boost Lab and Boost Fund (25%)
*Policies and processes
*Funding and financial model
*Staff
*Marketing
*Fundraising

2. Create and manage processes to facilitate he Lehigh Ventures Lab's success and impact (10%)
*Work with the Executive Director and the Dean to design strategies and standards for operations
*Identify and implement best practices
*Create, manage and leverage resources
*Direct and manage all staffing including full time, part time, support, interns and volunteers
*Direct and manage all aspects of coaching, mentors, pitching and deal flow
*Recruit Ventures Lab startups
*Work with Lehigh's College of Business, the Baker Institute and Development and Alumni Relations Communications Teams to market the opportunity
*Meet with and market to community stakeholders to engage regional entrepreneurs
*Create and manage the intake process including, legal and financial

3. Create, direct, manage and grow the Lehigh Ventures Lab and its startups (50%)
*Provide step-by-step guidance to entrepreneurs through innovative support models and offerings; engage guest experts, design programs and programmatic elements, deliver content and/or recruit faculty or external experts to do so
*Work directly with each startup in the Ventures Lab as they move from the proof of concept stage to a more advanced stage (ready to pitch to investors, established networks, accelerated progress toward key business milestones, etc.)
*Manage the space and usage and cohort flow
*Create mentorship opportunities, match startups with mentors in collaboration with the Baker Institute Team; manage and track interactions

4. Direct/, manage, maintain and grow the Boost Lab and its student entrepreneurs (15%)
*Collaborate with the broader Baker Institute Team to design and deliver new programs and resources for the Boost Lab
*Lead the design and delivery of unique modules and learning opportunities
*Work with Development and Alumni Relations to raise and manage the Boost Fund including financial regulations and distribution to student entrepreneurs

Grade: 11-40

Position Number: S98030

Special Considerations

The duties of the position do not allow for a remote work option; the employee in this position will be required to work on campus where they can be fully accessible to the Lehigh community

This position has fiscal or financial responsibilities other than employee expense activity, such as processing or approving transactions; monitoring or preparing budgets; or generating income for University

This position is funded by soft dollars; there is no severance associated with this position

This position is funded for three years pending a successful rollout, 3 recruitment cycles, creation of a sustainable business model and successful outcomes for the early cohorts of founders

Ability to work evening and weekend hours

Qualifications

Master's Degree or the equivalent combination of education and experience

Five to eight years related work experience

Experience as an entrepreneur, intrapreneur or bona fide innovator

Familiarity with business planning, startup operations and capitalization strategies

Experience with fundraising, grant-writing, and teaching are of value

Demonstrated ability to collaborate with others from diverse backgrounds

Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with competing demands; must have a high level of attention to detail

Excellent communication, interpersonal skills and a high level of customer service required

Supervisory experience preferred

Excellent computer skills with experience using word processing, spreadsheet and database software

Successful completion of standard background checks including but not limited to: social security verification, education verification, national criminal background checks, motor vehicle checks, PATCH, FBI fingerprinting, Child Abuse Clearance and credit history based upon the requirements of the position

Because of increasing COVID case counts in the region and new information about the characteristics of the Delta variant, all Lehigh faculty and staff will be required to be fully vaccinated unless they receive an approved medical or religious exemption from the requirement.

Only complete applications will be considered therefore please complete the application in its entirety. Once the posting is removed from the website applications may no longer be allowed to be completed.

Advertised: April 11, 2022 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Open until filled