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Professor of the Practice/Director, Jayhawk Student Venture Fund

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The University of Kansas
Location
University of Kansas Lawrence Campus
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Position OverviewThe School of Business at the University of Kansas is searching for a non-tenure track faculty member to serve as Professor of the Practice in Entrepreneurship and as the inaugural Director, Jayhawk Student Venture Fund.

This is a part-time (0.75 FTE), benefits-eligible, academic year appointment, with 50% of duties assigned to the Professor of the Practice portion and 25% of duties assigned to the Director role. There is no additional summer salary associated with the Director duties. This position reports to the Executive Director of Entrepreneurship Initiatives and The HUB@KU. The director portion (.25FTE) of this role is serve at the pleasure of the Dean of the School of Business. The preferred start date is January 1, 2025. However, in unique situations, a delayed start of August 18, 2025, may be arranged. The initial appointment term will be 2 ½- 3 years, depending on start date. The appointment is eligible for multi-term renewal.

KU’s excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU, we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each other’s success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen, heard and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things. The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S. by the effective date of the appointment. Any employment with the University of Kansas is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background check.

The University of Kansas and Lawrence, Kansas:

The University of Kansas is one of the leading research universities in the United States and is known for its strong tradition of academic excellence. Since 1909, the University of Kansas has been a member of the Association of American Universities, the premier consortium of research institutions in North America.

The University of Kansas School of Business offers undergraduate, master’s (full-time, part-time, and online) and doctoral programs. In recent years, the School has experienced remarkable growth and currently enrolls more than 3,000 undergraduate students. The School offers a robust set of entrepreneurship degree programs at the graduate and undergraduate level and has made significant investments in entrepreneurship co-curricular programming. Growing the breadth and impact of entrepreneurship programming features prominently in KU’s strategy, Jayhawks Rising.

The School of Business sits on KU’s main campus in Lawrence. In May 2016, the School of Business moved into its new $70.5 million home, Capitol Federal Hall. Lawrence is located 35 miles west of Kansas City atop Mount Oread in the Kansas River valley. It has a population of about 100,000, with a large student population and a small-town, friendly atmosphere with many major-city lifestyle amenities. Lawrence boasts a nationally recognized live-music scene and a historic downtown full of small businesses, art galleries, microbreweries, bars, restaurants and more. Museums in town and on campus offer exhibits of classic and contemporary art, natural history and anthropology.

Kansas City, Kansas, home to the University of Kansas Medical Center, is a 40-minute drive from Lawrence. The Kansas City metropolitan area has a population of two million and offers many fine restaurants, superb shopping and an extensive choice of professional, cultural and sporting events. The Kansas City International Airport (MCI), with a newly opened terminal, offers flights to all major U.S. cities and is less than an hour drive from Lawrence.Job Description55% Teaching (.40 FTE) - Teach undergraduate or graduate level on entrepreneurial finance. Duties include but are not limited to: course preparation, course delivery, and assignment of course grades. Courses may be taught at the Lawrence, Edwards, or Leavenworth campus, and online. The typical course load for this appointment is four (4) courses per academic year. Teaching assignments will be determined by the Area Director to best meet the needs of the School of Business. The School of Business reserves the right to modify instructors course loads based on current needs of the School. All faculty should abide by Area, School, and University policies and procedures.

12% Teaching Related Service (.10 FTE) - Participate as an active member of the Area and engage in instruction-related activities beyond direct instruction. Examples include curriculum development committees, course improvement initiatives, and advising student organizations. All faculty members are expected to fulfill their share of service duties needed to facilitate the efficient operation of the school.

33% Director, Jayhawk Student Venture Fund (.25 FTE) - Work with the Executive Director of Entrepreneurship Initiatives and The HUB@KU and the Management and Entrepreneurship Area Director to design, organize, and lead the Jayhawk Student Venture Fund, envisioned to provide KU graduate and undergraduate students the opportunity to make early-stage investments in targeted companies. The Director will guide students in the complexities of fund management, investment strategies, and the identification and cultivation of entrepreneurial talent. Duties may include but are not limited to:
  • Oversee the management of the venture capital fund, including investment strategies, fund allocation, and financial reporting. Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements and university policies.
  • Mentor and train students in venture capital practices, including deal sourcing, due diligence, investment thesis development, and portfolio management.
  • Cultivate relationships with entrepreneurs, industry professionals, and co-investors to identify investment opportunities.
  • Lead the investment decision-making process, and guide students in evaluating potential investments.
  • Monitor the performance of the fund’s investments and provide regular reports to stakeholders.
  • Coordinating with the Area Director and KU Endowment Association as appropriate to secure initial investment capital for the fund.
  • Represent the fund at university and industry events.
  • Coordinate with the Director of Entrepreneurship Co-Curricular Programming to integrate co-curricular entrepreneurial finance experiential learning opportunities into academic entrepreneurship programs as may be appropriate.
Required Qualifications
    Master’s degree in finance, business or a related field.
  1. Documented ability to successfully teach a range of entrepreneurship and finance courses, or in the absence of university teaching experience, compelling evidence of the potential for teaching success.
  2. Documented ability to conduct financial and operational due diligence in private companies.
  3. Documented ability to raise investment capital.
  4. Minimum five-years experience in private equity, venture capital, or related field.
  5. Minimum three-years experience directing investments in startup or early-stage companies.
  6. Excellent mentorship and leadership skills, with a passion for education and student development, as evident by application materials.
  7. Effective communicator with strong networking abilities.
Preferred Qualifications
    Experience teaching successfully at both graduate and undergraduate levels.
  1. Experience with effective curriculum development.
  2. Familiarity with undergraduate business programs at KU.
Additional Candidate InstructionsTo be considered, an online application must be submitted. A complete application includes (1) letter of application describing experience and accomplishments; (2) record of productivity in teaching as noted in CV; (3) teaching statement and supplemental materials (teaching portfolio, sample syllabi, teaching evaluations); and (4) contact information for three professional references. Actual letters of reference will be required later in the hiring process.

First review of applications will begin on October 15th. Posting will remain open until a qualified applicant pool is obtained. Contact Information to ApplicantsMichaela Edwards,
busmgtadmin@ku.edu (regarding application process)

Brian Anderson,
brian.anderson@ku.edu (regarding position information)Advertised Salary RangeCommensurate with experienceApplication Review BeginsTuesday October 15, 2024Anticipated Start DateWednesday January 1, 2025Apply to Job

Organization

Working at the University of Kansas 

Join the University of Kansas, and you’ll become part of a Jayhawk family that spans the globe. Wear your KU shirt in London, Istanbul, Buenos Aires, Nairobi or anywhere else, and you will likely hear a resounding “Rock Chalk!” from a stranger. Of course, the appropriate response is an enthusiastic “Jayhawk!” Because, after all, they’re not really strangers, they’re family.

The Jayhawk community is united by more than 150 years of tradition and by our commitment to pushing the boundaries of knowledge, transforming the academic experience, and creating solutions through innovative research. KU’s mission is to lift students and society by educating leaders, building healthy communities and making discoveries that change the world.  

The University of Kansas is the state’s flagship university and one of just 66 invited members of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). We consistently earn high rankings for academics and recognition as a premier research university.

KU faculty and staff embrace our role as the state’s flagship university, AAU member and R1 institution that serves the state, nation and world. We celebrate the energy and compassion that infuse the Jayhawk spirit; and, we remain true to KU’s historic values: the elevating force of education, the transformative power of research and the healing power of service.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging 

The University of Kansas is committed to a learning and workplace environment that is representative of our nation and global society, accepts and values everyone, appreciates our common humanity and understands that our multiple differences are the cornerstone of academic preparation, professional excellence and distinction. KU must be a place where all people feel they belong and have access to resources and support that help them attain their educational and professional goals.

We recognize there are inequalities and privileges generated by historical and persistent intersecting differences by race, ethnicity, gender identities, gender expressions, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, abilities, religion, regional background, veteran status, citizenship status and nationality. And we hold ourselves accountable for policies, processes and programs that appreciate these and other differences and create more fair, safe and just learning, working and living environments for KU students, faculty and staff.

Instruction 

KU offers a broad array of undergraduate and graduate study programs, and we fulfill our mission through academic and research programs of international distinction, coupled with outstanding libraries, teaching museums and information technology. These resources enrich the academic experience for students from all 50 states and 112 countries, and provide enrichment resources for KU faculty and staff.

Research 

The university attains high levels of research productivity and recognizes that faculty are part of a network of scholars and academicians that shape a discipline as well as teach it. KU staff are integral to our research success, participating in and supporting discoveries that expand knowledge and improve lives.

Service 

The university and our employees serve society through research, teaching and the preservation and dissemination of knowledge. KU's academic programs, arts facilities and public programs provide cultural enrichment opportunities for the larger community. And, KU offers educational, research and service programs throughout the state. KU employees are encouraged to participate in and serve the campus and surrounding communities in a way that is meaningful to them.

International Dimension 

KU offers more than 100 programs of international study and cooperative research for KU students and faculty at sites around the world. The university offers teaching and research that draw upon and contribute to the most advanced developments throughout the United States and abroad. At the same time, KU's extensive international ties support economic development in Kansas.

Values 

The University of Kansas, our students and employees are committed to excellence. We foster a multicultural, inclusive environment in which the dignity and rights of individuals are respected. Intellectual diversity, integrity and disciplined inquiry in the search for knowledge are of paramount importance.

Our City and State 

KU sits atop Mt. Oread in the center of Lawrence, a town full of natural beauty and culture. In fact, Rolling Stone magazine named Lawrence one of the best college towns in the United States. Lawrence is home to more than 100,000 people, and has a charming, Midwestern friendliness that welcomes visitors and celebrates diversity. In addition to KU, Lawrence is home to Haskell Indian Nations University, the premiere tribal university in the United States.

Lawrence’s historic and thriving downtown features restaurants, nightlife and local shops offering unique finds that you won’t find anywhere else. The town has more than 50 parks, an encompassing mixed-use trail, and quick access to biking/hiking trails along the Kansas River and around Clinton Lake. A five-minute drive from Lawrence, Clinton Lake offers fishing, boating, beaches, camping and other outdoor activities.

Located just 40 minutes west of Kansas City, Lawrence offers the appeal of a mid-size, suburban town with quick access to the amenities of a large city, including an international airport. The Kansas City metro area is home to world-class museums and cultural activities, Jazz clubs and other nightlife venues, expansive shopping options, and exciting professional sports with the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals and Sporting KC.

Kansas is in the center of the country, making it convenient and cost effective to fly or drive to destinations throughout the United States. Far from flat, the Flint Hills, just 90 minutes from Lawrence, offer panoramic vistas that showcase the breathtaking beauty of America.

Making KU Your Home 

Something about Lawrence is magnetic. Long-time residents are never surprised when a KU student or employee from out of state decides to make Lawrence their permanent home. And, even those who do leave often find themselves returning to “the nest” at some point in the future. In fact, Lawrence has been named by several publications as one of the best places to retire.

At the University of Kansas, you’ll join a global Jayhawk family and find a place to call home.

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