Executive Director, The Werth Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Details:

Posted: March 28, 2023
Level: Community College Professional 18, 12-month, tenure track position.
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week
Closing Date: The committee will begin review of applications immediately. Applications must be submitted by 5:00pm (EST) on Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Location:

Housatonic Community College
900 Lafayette Blvd, Bridgeport, CT 06604
**This position is not remote**

For more information, please click on the college to be directed to their website.

CT State Community College Mission:

Connecticut State Community College (CT State) provides access to academically rigorous and innovative education and training focused on student success. The College supports excellence in teaching and learning, makes data-informed decisions, promotes equity, advances positive change for the students, communities, and industries it serves, and awards associates degrees and certificates.

CT State Community College Vision:

CT State will be recognized for exceptional student success, educational leadership, and transformative collaboration with business and industry, government, educational, and key stakeholders while advancing diverse opportunities for Connecticut’s citizens and communities.

CT State Community College Equity Statement:

The CSCU system commits to bold and disruptive change by actively identifying, naming, and dismantling structural racism, systemic poverty, and other barriers; establishing equitable and anti-racist policies and practices; and empowering students, faculty, staff, and administrators to advance racial, social, and economic justice. Our core collective responsibility is to continuously assess practices and policies and transform the world we live in by eliminating inequities.

Anticipated Start Date:

May 2023

Position Summary:

The Executive Director will lead The Werth Center at HCC to become a recognized and valued resource on campus for all students, as well as a regional hub of entrepreneurial activity for the greater community. The fundamental responsibility of this position is to plan, develop, manage, and coordinate the entrepreneurship and innovation center and activities across the Housatonic Community College campus, as well as create accessibility to the Center for the greater community.

Incumbents must possess proven ability to effectively work with a culturally, linguistically, and ethnically diverse faculty, staff, and student. They are expected to have excellent oral and written communication skills along with strong Information technology literacy skills such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams etc.)

Minimum Qualifications:

Master’s degree in an appropriately related field together with one (1) to four (4) years of related experience that includes up to two (2) years of supervisory experience; or a combination of education, training and experience which would lead to the competencies required for successful performance of the position’s essential duties.

Incumbents are required to have demonstrated advanced knowledge and abilities in the following:

• Experience managing a business, or owning and operating an entrepreneurial venture
• Supervisory experience
• Budget management experience
• Experience dealing with students, business/industry, government and community representatives/citizens, faculty, staff, and administrators
• Experience creating plans and reports for strategic analysis
• Experience in fundraising and successful outcomes in raising grant dollars

Substitutions Allowed:

Applicants who do not meet the minimum qualifications as stated are encouraged to put in writing precisely how their background and experience have prepared them for the responsibilities of this position and by providing appropriate references. Exceptions to the degree requirements may be made for compelling reasons.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in managing a Center or major program in a higher education environment, preferably community college, with multiple entities, functions, and staff
  
  
• Experience working with students, business/industry, government and community representatives/citizens, faculty, staff, and administrators
  
  
• Experience with proven outcomes in fundraising and community partner/relationship building
  
  
• Operational management background, experience in either commercial or social entrepreneurship
  
  

Example of Job Duties:

Under the direction of the CEO, the Executive Director is responsible for effective performance in these essential duties:

• Lead the development and ongoing management of annual strategic planning of programming, activities and services with clear and deliverable goals and outcomes.
• Manage daily activity and student services in the Werth Center, and will serve as HCC’s primary representative regarding entrepreneurship in alignment to the college’s vision, mission, core values and strategic initiatives.
• Supervise staff and student employees
• Manage the Center’s budget, provide reports and Financial Statements, and work closely with a team of key staff and faculty to guide and implement programming and activity.
• Manage all facets daily programming, workshops and other learning and educational activity and efforts for HCC students.
• Work with student entrepreneurs providing coaching and mentoring support for the development and retention of successful businesses.
• Prepare students to enter business pitch and idea competitions.
• Work closely with the appropriate College staff and collaborate with other HCC departments and units to coordinate entrepreneurship and small business development programs and services.
• Oversee the care of equipment and supplies in The Werth Center makerspace and provide instruction for student users.
• Maintain current community partners that offer in-kind resources and expertise to students and build new relationships to ensure student entrepreneur access to necessary resources to advance business ideas and activity, as well as encourage financial investors.
• Organize annual speaker series of accomplished entrepreneurs to inspire and motivate HCC students and community members.
• Manage and lead staff to assist with support of facilities and services in accordance with HCC’s and The Werth Center’s mission, vision and strategic initiatives.
• Plan and execute an annual operating budget. Monitor all revenues and expenditures.
• Provide leadership in the investigation and cultivation of public and private grants and donations to support entrepreneurship activities, coordinate the submission of grant project proposals, in conjunction with the HCC Foundation. Serve as project director for awarded grants to manage and monitor the implementation of project activities, budget and the reporting requirements of individual funding sources.
• Provide entrepreneurial outreach and promote economic development opportunities in the College’s 11-town service area.
• Identify key performance indicators, collect, track, maintain, interpret data and communicate the economic impact of entrepreneurial activities connected to The Werth Center, in conjunction with the college’s institutional research department.
• Develop key collaborations and partnerships, including, but not limited to minority organizations and businesses to advance the mission of the Werth Center.
• Serve as HCC’s primary representative in the region’s planning, delivery, and expansion of entrepreneurial services, small business development, and business incubation working collaboratively with local and regional partners.

In addition to the accountabilities listed above, the incumbent is required to carry out the essential duties of: Attendance and participation at convocation and commencement ceremonies; Service on assigned committees and task forces; Attendance and participation at committee, staff, informational and professional meetings. These may involve attendance at evening or weekend events.

This posting includes qualifications, experience and skills but is not limited to the full specifications stated in the job description.

Starting Salary:

Anticipated Salary; $71.008 approximate annual plus excellent State of CT medical insurance, retirement, and related fringe benefits.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family, and plan for a secure future. Benefits include generous leave policies; several retirement plans ; and many choices for comprehensive health insurance . You also have access to many additional benefits to save for retirement, protect your family & more with supplemental benefits. Tuition reimbursement may apply if applicable.

Application Instructions:

To apply you must submit a cover letter and resume.

Incomplete applications or those submitted after the closing date will not be considered and links to other sources to view resumes are not acceptable.

Selection Procedure:

Following the closing date, application materials will be evaluated by a selection committee. Candidates selected for further consideration will be limited to those applicants who are best qualified based on the minimum and preferred qualifications and who have submitted all the required documents by the closing date and time listed on the job announcement. Candidates who have been selected and approved to Interview will be contacted, and finalists will be recommended for further consideration by the Hiring Manager for final selection and recommendation for employment. The selection process may also include practical exercises (i.e., teaching demonstration and/or other written, technical, manipulative, or simulation exercises) to evaluate candidates' qualifications.

Background Screening:

All employment, if offered, is contingent upon proof of citizenship or employability under the requirement of the Immigration and Control Act (IRCA) and the successful passing of a background check. CSCU is committed to providing a safe campus community. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check and, when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.

Continuing Notice of Nondiscrimination

CSCC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or criminal record. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Nicholas D'Agostino Director of Equal Employment Opportunity Ndagostino@commnet.edu

CSCC IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER, M/F