Director For Startup Accelerator, Spears Institute

Salary Range:

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU's more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University's small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem - paired with entrepreneurial drive - creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU's relationship with Dallas - the dynamic center of one of the nation's fastest-growing regions - offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Department:

Leveraging the vibrant culture of free enterprise in North Texas, the William S. Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership enhances the business ventures of SMU students and faculty and the wider region, supports the academic and professional pursuits of students and faculty, and brings to North Texas Expertise in the areas critical to the growth and development of the Dallas business community.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The William S. Spears Institute seeks a Director to lead our startup accelerator program.

The institute was formed in 2022 to help SMU undergraduate and graduate students and alumni from any field of study create new ventures and foster an ecosystem that improves the lives and economic prosperity of the North Texas community. The Director will be skilled in fostering entrepreneurship, knowledgeable about the startup landscape, and capable of guiding startups from concept to market success. The position steers the accelerator's strategic direction, enhances its operational efficiency, and expands its influence across the entire university and the broader entrepreneurial community, creating and strengthening relationships with top-level leaders. In addition to leading the accelerator program, the role oversees the institute's Digital Marketing Specialist IV.

Essential Functions:

• Program Management: Craft and execute a strategic plan for the accelerator that aligns with the Spears Institute's mission, driving a univeristy-wide entreprenurial ecosystem. Oversee all aspects of the accelerator's operations, from curriculum design and mentorship programs to events and funding initiatives, ensuring operational and financial goals are achieved.

• Collaborate with senior SMU stakeholders, including Provost and VP; Chief Research and Innovation Officer; VP, Development and External Affairs; CIO; Deans of Lyle School of Engineering, Cox School of Business, Dedman School of Law, and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies to align accelerator's strategic goals with those of SMU and its colleges.

• Manage startup selection and funding, working closely with an Executive Board that will include SMU alumni, VCs, CEOs, and company founders. Guide startups in refining pitches and securing additional funding, leveraging experience and network to shape their entrepreneurial journey. Enhance the program's mentorship network by leveraging SMU faculty, alumni, and staff as well as external experts.

• Drive business development for institute's accelerator, actively seeking out strategic partnerships with industry leaders, other academic institutions, and entrepreneurial organizations. Enhance the accelerator's visibility and access to resources.

• Direct Digital Marketing Specialist to execute day-to-day marketing operations. Oversee hiring, training, task prioritization, mentorship and performance evaluations.

• Implement, analyze, and evaluate metrics to assess the accelerator's performance and its impact on startups. Use insights to drive continuous improvement and report to stakeholders, including Dr. Spears and top-level SMU leadership.

• Thought Leadership: Foster a vibrant community of entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders within and around

SMU. Organize events that encourage collaboration, learning, and networking.

• Expand SMU's presence as a thought leader at the local, national, and global levels for entrepreneurship-related topics, serving as a subject matter expert. Maintain fluency in the latest research, trends, legislation, and policies related to the startup ecosystem. Partner with marketing teams to advance the reputation of the Spears Institute and SMU.

• Position requires regular evening or weekend work for events, workshops, corporate treks, meetings, and networking engagements. The position will need to oversee all of these events.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree is required. Degree in Education, Business, Entrepreneurship, or closely related field, preferred.

A minimum of seven years of experience in entrepreneurship, startup ecosystem development, or in leading accelerator/incubator programs is required, preferably with some experience in a higher education setting.

Experience in entrepreneurial education is also required, preferably in an accelerator setting. First hand experience working in a start-up or venture capital setting desired.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills. Strong networking skills and a robust network in the entrepreneurial and venture capital communities are essential.

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills. Demonstrated ability to develop strategic initiatives and manage their implementation effectively is essential.

Candidate must have strong leadership skills, with a track record of mentoring and developing entrepreneurial talent. Must also be capable of inspiring students, faculty, and external partners. Familiarity with the academic environment and the ability to navigate the interface with business is essential.

Candidate must have a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and Adobe InDesign. Experience in customer database management (e.g., Salesforce), internet research, direct marketing tools and familiarity with Linked-in, Instagram and other social networking tools is also required.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time

Deadline to Apply:

The position is open until filled.

EEO Statement:

SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.