What are the responsibilities and job description for the Executive Director of Entrepreneurship position at Lamar University?
Position Information
Posting Number
20113088
Position Title
Executive Director of Entrepreneurship
FTE
1.00
Position Type
Staff
Department
Office of the President
Position Summary Information
Job Summary/Basic Function
About This Role:
The Executive Director oversees and is responsible for developing and implementing a strategic vision for the Entrepreneurship Institute at Lamar University (EILU) to strengthen connections between LU and the Beaumont/Southeast Texas business community. This role is dedicated to fostering small business development, supporting business expansion and retooling, facilitating networking, driving product development, and promoting innovation and research activities. This is an in-person position based on the Lamar University campus in Beaumont, Texas, and requires regular on-site presence.
The Executive Director will coordinate partnerships between small and medium-sized businesses in Beaumont and Southeast Texas to transition technologies, ideas, or products into successful startup companies and accelerate early-stage growth. Additionally, they will collaborate with other leaders and play a key role in marketing LU’s University Signature Centers (Resiliency, Midstream, Port Management) to federal, state, and local government leaders as well as business and industry partners at the local, national, and international levels.
This position requires an individual committed to on-campus engagement to create a culture that fosters an inclusive and expansive definition of entrepreneurship and innovation, deeply integrated within the Schools of Business and Engineering and the broader Beaumont/Southeast Texas business community. The Executive Director will actively nurture and expand connections with students and faculty, ensuring the Institute’s work is meaningfully embedded within the business ecosystem. They will also represent EILU in professional associations and partner organizations, strengthening Lamar University’s reputation as a leader in entrepreneurship and innovation research and education.
Furthermore, the Executive Director will collaborate with LU’s University Signature Centers and Colleges to create mutually beneficial opportunities for real-world entrepreneurial engagement with students, faculty, and the local business community. Candidates must be available to work in person on campus, as this role requires active engagement with university stakeholders and regional business partners.
The Executive Director will coordinate partnerships between small and medium-sized businesses in Beaumont and Southeast Texas to transition technologies, ideas, or products into successful startup companies and accelerate early-stage growth. Additionally, they will collaborate with other leaders and play a key role in marketing LU’s University Signature Centers (Resiliency, Midstream, Port Management) to federal, state, and local government leaders as well as business and industry partners at the local, national, and international levels.
This position requires an individual committed to on-campus engagement to create a culture that fosters an inclusive and expansive definition of entrepreneurship and innovation, deeply integrated within the Schools of Business and Engineering and the broader Beaumont/Southeast Texas business community. The Executive Director will actively nurture and expand connections with students and faculty, ensuring the Institute’s work is meaningfully embedded within the business ecosystem. They will also represent EILU in professional associations and partner organizations, strengthening Lamar University’s reputation as a leader in entrepreneurship and innovation research and education.
Furthermore, the Executive Director will collaborate with LU’s University Signature Centers and Colleges to create mutually beneficial opportunities for real-world entrepreneurial engagement with students, faculty, and the local business community. Candidates must be available to work in person on campus, as this role requires active engagement with university stakeholders and regional business partners.
What You’ll Do – Position Responsibilities:
- Business Consulting and Support Services:
- Lead the evaluation and vetting of companies seeking business consulting and support from LU.
- Work with the Small Business Development Center, The Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center, and local businesses.
- Assist LU-supported startups with executive team formation, customer development, channel strategy, fundraising, and strategic partnerships.
- Provide incubation support and advisory services for faculty, students, and entrepreneurs.
- Technology and Startup Development:
- Identify, track, and monitor prospective technologies and startups in the Beaumont area.
- Mentor and develop scalable ventures through university technology commercialization and business growth.
- Research and analyze startup concerns, providing mentorship on key areas like marketing, business development, licensing, and manufacturing strategy.
- Develop a network of qualified managers for startup leadership roles, including CEO and Board of Directors positions.
- Entrepreneurial Education and Outreach:
- Conduct presentations to LU faculty, students, and companies on available entrepreneurship support programs.
- Promote student innovation and startup support within the Beaumont business community.
- Conduct outreach to increase awareness and understanding of the Institute’s value among key stakeholders and the public.
- Represent EILU at major events and collaborate with other entrepreneurship programs to enhance visibility and resource sharing.
- Investment and Funding Strategy:
- Build relationships with investors (angel, venture capital, institutional) to encourage regional investment.
- Lead staff evaluations of funding proposals and present vetted projects to the Advisory Board.
- Seek external funding through grants, gifts, and other financial sources to support the Institute’s activities.
- Monitor and authorize funding usage, ensuring compliance with regulations.
- Leadership and Strategic Planning:
- Manage EILU staff and ensure alignment with Institute goals.
- Work with LU leadership to develop innovation as a core university value.
- Collaborate with LU’s Signature Centers and Colleges to create mutually beneficial partnerships.
- Prepare the annual budget, strategy, and performance metrics for EILU.
- Administrative Oversight and Reporting:
- Prepare monthly and quarterly activity reports.
- Monitor compliance with local, state, and federal laws. Ensure operational efficiency and adherence to university policies.
Key Competencies:
- KNOWLEDGE:
- Leadership and strategic planning efforts for all aspects of the Entrepreneurship Institute at Lamar University (EILU) including community outreach activities.
- Understanding innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives, including workshops, lecture series, networking events, faculty partnerships, courses, student venture creation programs and pipelines to regional and national accelerators.
- Knowledge of RFP process and grant management
- SKILLS:
- Interact effectively with people of all backgrounds and multiple units on campus.
- Experience designing and facilitating educational engagements of various durations aimed at developing entrepreneurial mindsets and skillsets.
- Experience with project and budget management; the ability to simultaneously execute multiple projects effectively and efficiently using data and milestones.
- ABILITIES:
- Ability to engage and work with entrepreneurs, especially those that are graduates and/or supporters of Lamar University, getting them to engage with our students with entrepreneurship desires.
- Ability to Develop partnerships with other programs/centers and entrepreneurship organizations to ensure interconnectedness, resource availability and visibility.
- Ability to represent EILU at major campus and off campus events when required.
- Ability to adhere to university policy, standard operating procedures, and monitors the agency and/or department for compliance.
- Ability to collaborate with internal partners and external third parties effectively, positively, and with professionalism.
- Ability to make administrative judgements and provide confidential support on complex sensitive issues.
- Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret financial data and prepare financial reports, statements, and/or projections.
Physical Requirements:
With or without accommodation:
- Constantly sees, hears, sits, types, operates pc, calculator, writes by hand, files, and twists body.
- Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment which does not subject the employee to any unpleasant elements.
- Occasional lifting (10 – 15 pounds), pushing, climbing, and pulling may be required.
Job Conditions: Office environment on campus in Beaumont, Texas. Moderate exposure to noise.
Who We Are:
Home to more than 17,000 students, Lamar University is among the fastest growing Texas colleges and universities. LU is a member of The Texas State University System, which is the first higher education system of Texas and maintains the lowest average tuition and fees of any university system in Texas. With more than 120-degree options and a community that cares, Lamar students are always proud to be Cardinals. Lamar University strives to educate leaders, demonstrate excellence in student learning and career readiness, and pursue research with relevance.
Lamar University is committed to fostering an environment of teamwork where all students, faculty, and staff can learn, work, and become a part of our community.
Benefits:
- Health, dental & vision insurance
- Life insurance
- State of Texas Retirement plans
- Tuition covered at 100% for employees, spouses and/or eligible dependents.
- Paid time off – vacation, sick, and holidays.
To see more information about the available benefits, please visit: Benefits – Lamar University
Minimum Qualifications
- Master’s degree and 5-7 years of relevant experience, or a combination of a bachelor’s degree and significant entrepreneurial experience.
- Supervisory experience required.
EEO Statement
Lamar University is An Equal Opportunity Employer
Veteran's Preference Statement
Lamar University is proud to provide employment preference to veteran applicants in accordance with Texas 805 Government Code, Section 657.003.
Preferred Qualifications
Security Sensitive Statement
This position is security-sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of the Texas Education Code §51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information.
Salary
Commensurate
Work Hours
Posting Date
04/01/2025
Close Date
Open Until Filled
No
Special Instructions
