What are the responsibilities and job description for the Executive Director of Entrepreneurship through Acquisition position at Case Western Reserve University?
Senior Staff position, Salary Grade 18 or above.
POSITION OBJECTIVE
The Executive Director of the Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) Center will lead the strategic growth and execution of programs that establish the Weatherhead School of Management as a leader in Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition education. This includes developing a strong curriculum for Masters Business Administration (MBA), undergraduate, and executive education programs, organizing a high-impact annual event, and implementing an effective marketing and enrollment strategy.
The Director will cultivate a vibrant ecosystem by engaging faculty, alumni, industry professionals, and community stakeholders. Responsibilities include forming and leading a strategic advisory board, creating student internship opportunities, and expanding mentoring and networking programs, particularly mentorship through the Promise Partners Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition accelerator.
Additionally, the Director will support the center founding initiatives, collaborate with the school of management and Case Corporate Development to engage donors, and contribute to the center thought leadership through support of faculty/Phd. research and industry engagement. They will also enhance student participation by leveraging digital tools for content organization and best practices sharing. The Director will support research efforts, including ongoing projects such as those led by Weatherhead School of Management Doctor of Business Administration Candidate Reid Tileston, and bringing top entrepreneurship through acquisition thought leaders to the annual event and classroom.
This role is essential in positioning the center as a premier hub for education, networking, and research in entrepreneurship through acquisition.
Essential Functions
Perform other duties as assigned. (<1%)
CONTACTS
Department: Limited contact with department heads and administrative staff.
University: Regular contact with university administrators and staff.
External: Regular contact with external partners, and stakeholders.
Students: Regular contact with students.
Supervisory Responsibilities
No direct supervisory responsibility.
Qualifications
Experience: 10 years of progressive professional experience required. Preference for individuals with experience in donor relations, center development, ETA experience and/or corporate relations. Leadership level work experience in higher education, corporate recruiting, general management, community engagement and/or business development preferred.
Education/Licensing: Bachelor's degree in business or related areas required Master's degree preferred.
Required Skills
Fast-paced office environment with occasional evening and weekend work. Travel may be required for meetings and conferences.
This position is eligible for hybrid work arrangement up to two remote days per week at the discretion of the department. New employees may begin a hybrid schedule upon approval from the supervisor, successful completion of an orientation period and signing the remote work checklist certification form.
Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information.
Case Western Reserve University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the CWRU Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicants will be made on a case-by-case basis.
POSITION OBJECTIVE
The Executive Director of the Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) Center will lead the strategic growth and execution of programs that establish the Weatherhead School of Management as a leader in Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition education. This includes developing a strong curriculum for Masters Business Administration (MBA), undergraduate, and executive education programs, organizing a high-impact annual event, and implementing an effective marketing and enrollment strategy.
The Director will cultivate a vibrant ecosystem by engaging faculty, alumni, industry professionals, and community stakeholders. Responsibilities include forming and leading a strategic advisory board, creating student internship opportunities, and expanding mentoring and networking programs, particularly mentorship through the Promise Partners Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition accelerator.
Additionally, the Director will support the center founding initiatives, collaborate with the school of management and Case Corporate Development to engage donors, and contribute to the center thought leadership through support of faculty/Phd. research and industry engagement. They will also enhance student participation by leveraging digital tools for content organization and best practices sharing. The Director will support research efforts, including ongoing projects such as those led by Weatherhead School of Management Doctor of Business Administration Candidate Reid Tileston, and bringing top entrepreneurship through acquisition thought leaders to the annual event and classroom.
This role is essential in positioning the center as a premier hub for education, networking, and research in entrepreneurship through acquisition.
Essential Functions
- Marketing & Student Recruiting: Develop a comprehensive entrepreneurship through acquisition marketing strategy (in collaboration with the school of management and the university marketing team who will lead execution) and complete an alumni and promise partners census. Set enrollment goals for the Master of Business Administration and certificate programs, simplify the enrollment process for non-degree certificate students, and establish targets for executive education courses and electives. Creates a detailed plan to achieve a #1 ETA program ranking, including tactics to enhance third-party rankings. Highlighting alumni success stories, faculty expertise, and notable achievements through content, supported by a media and public relations strategy celebrating Weatherhead School of Management's entrepreneurship through acquisition legacy. Defines clear roles, KPIs, and schedules to guide implementation. Lead research on alumni and Promise Partners business ownership, gathering data and collaborating with faculty/Phd. research efforts. Collaborate with faculty to produce a dataset on acquisitions, covering funding models, acquisition values, financing structures, industries, and ownership outcomes for research and promotional purposes. Leverage faculty research to distinguish the program through content marketing, speaking and events. (25%)
- Entrepreneurship through Acquisition Acceleration / Student Engagement & Outcomes: Create opportunities and support for students pursuing careers in entrepreneurship through acquisition. Continually establish internship opportunities, connecting students with roles in acquisitions, operations, and investment, and engage with the new advisory board and community to secure placements. Launch a technology platform (in partnership with outside parties) for managing acquisition leads and develop a database of investors interested in sponsoring entrepreneurs. Formalizes graduate assistant and entrepreneurship through acquisition club roles, including leadership continuity, pitch competition support, and ETA-focused trips. Oversee strategic partnership with Promise Partners ETA accelerator and provide direct support for implementation of mentorship opportunities delivered by the Promise Partner's program. Establishes plans for scholarship program with award criteria to be determined (subject to funding). (25%)
- Annual Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition Event Planning and Execution: Organize and execute a successful annual entrepreneurship through acquisition event. Form a committee with clear roles and responsibilities, building on insights from previous events. The aim is to host a well-attended, profitable event with 325 participants and achieve a 4.5/5 satisfaction rating, ensuring both financial success and a high-quality attendee experience. (25%)
- Advisory Board & Strategic Planning: Establish a board of advisors that is made up of donors, stakeholders, community stakeholders, and alumni and develop a comprehensive strategic plan. Defined roles, regular meeting schedule, and reporting processes to ensure engagement. Consider a community roundtable as a committee of the advisory board. Strategic planning sessions will involve advisors, students, and entrepreneurs to define a vision positioning the school of management as the "Silicon Valley of entrepreneurship through acquisition," establish long-term and short-term goals, and develop strategies to lead in ETA education. This includes a vision for the curriculum and fundraising (fundraising led by development) in the plan. Track progress through quarterly milestones and regular reviews. (25%)
Perform other duties as assigned. (<1%)
CONTACTS
Department: Limited contact with department heads and administrative staff.
University: Regular contact with university administrators and staff.
External: Regular contact with external partners, and stakeholders.
Students: Regular contact with students.
Supervisory Responsibilities
No direct supervisory responsibility.
Qualifications
Experience: 10 years of progressive professional experience required. Preference for individuals with experience in donor relations, center development, ETA experience and/or corporate relations. Leadership level work experience in higher education, corporate recruiting, general management, community engagement and/or business development preferred.
Education/Licensing: Bachelor's degree in business or related areas required Master's degree preferred.
Required Skills
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills to engage effectively with students, faculty, alumni, and external stakeholders.
- Project management expertise, with the ability to oversee multiple initiatives and ensure timely delivery of strategic objectives.
- Strong analytical skills and ability to work with data to inform decision-making and measure program success.
- Those measurable or observable knowledge, skills, abilities, and/or behaviors that are required to succeed in performing the essential functions.
- Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, project management and organizing events
- Proven track record in developing and overseeing comprehensive marketing strategies
- Experience building and leading community and industry partnerships
- Demonstrated history of successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
- Ability to meet consistent attendance.
- Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.
Fast-paced office environment with occasional evening and weekend work. Travel may be required for meetings and conferences.
This position is eligible for hybrid work arrangement up to two remote days per week at the discretion of the department. New employees may begin a hybrid schedule upon approval from the supervisor, successful completion of an orientation period and signing the remote work checklist certification form.
Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information.
Case Western Reserve University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the CWRU Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicants will be made on a case-by-case basis.
