Executive Director, Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Department: Costello College of Business

Classification: Administrative Faculty

Job Category: Administrative or Professional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: On Site Required

Sponsorship Eligibility: 

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The Donald G. Costello College of Business at George Mason University is one of the largest business schools in Virginia, and is located near Washington, D.C., in Arlington and Fairfax, and at George Mason’s global campus in Incheon, South Korea. The college’s AACSB-accredited business and accounting curricula prepare undergraduate and graduate students from the U.S. and across the globe for career success in business and government. Its research-based faculty and focus on multi-disciplinary academic programs, inclusive entrepreneurship, modular education, experiential learning, and corporate partner engagement are transforming the landscape of business education and workforce development. Learn more at business.gmu.edu.

About the Position:

The Executive Director is a strategic leader who is responsible for all aspects of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) activities including strategic planning, operations, financial viability, design and delivery of programs, new initiatives, growth research, communications, and fundraising to build entrepreneurship industry relationships and raise the presence and reputation of CIE as a platform for entrepreneurship education and forum for innovative community engagement. The Executive Director leads expansion with other programs at the Costello College of Business including experiential learning initiatives for students and the undergraduate Minor in Entrepreneurship program.

Responsibilities:

Strategic and Academic Leadership

• Develop short and long-term strategic plans with consultation and participation of the Dean, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Global Engagement, the Chair of the Advisory Board and the Director of Operations and Engagement;
• Seek and promote programmatic activities, faculty collaborations (research and teaching), and student learning experiences across various units of the Costello College of Business and the University;
• Build the academic reputation of the Center through academic research, white papers in coordination with the Center’s Director of Research;
• Actively promote entrepreneurship across campus and to current and prospective students and families;
• Develop/teach courses in entrepreneurship or related topics as needed. Collaborate with other entrepreneurship related units at George Mason;
• Collaborate with the Management area and Director, Minors Program to promote the Entrepreneurship minor and courses; and
• Provide strategic oversight for CIE at Mason Korea Establish program expectations and objectives for execution by the CIE teams at Fairfax and Mason Korea campuses.

Supervision

• Responsible for setting goals for performance and deadlines in ways that comply with the College’s and center’s plans and vision and communicate them to the CIE team;
• Organize and communicate workflow monitor employee productivity and provide constructive feedback and coaching; resolve problems and communicate information;
• Prepare and submit performance evaluations;
• Ensure adherence to legal and university policies and procedures;
• Direct and work with the Director of Operations and Engagement, the Director of Research, Entrepreneurs in Residence and Instructors on program content and execution;
• Provide leadership to the CIE operational and hourly wage employees;
• Provide guidance and oversight for CIE team at Mason Korea; and
• Establish program expectations and objectives for execution by the CIE teams at Fairfax and Mason Korea campuses.

Financial & Operations

• Oversee the center's philanthropic efforts, grants, and revenue-generating activities to ensure long-term financial sustainability and cost neutrality;
• Lead the Director of Operations and Engagement in the development of the annual budget for the center;
• Ensure that Center is appropriately supported with needed resources and staff;
• Ensure that the Center has sufficient funding to meet daily operational expenses;
• Oversee center schedule of activities and preparation of periodic reports;
• Develop and manage substantive programs or initiatives that add value to the region;
• Ensure Center’s activities, including SOAR and Patriot Pitch, are well-planned, marketed, and executed, delivering value to students, the Center, College, and University;
• Establish and maintain MOU agreements with external partners for community facing programming;
• Oversee and establish Risk Management procedures for Honey Bee Initiative operations;
• Ensure coordination with Mason Korea for CIE events and engagement in Korea;
• Engage Costello faculty in Center activities; and
• Work with Advisory Board members and industry professionals to create internship opportunities for CIE and Entrepreneurship Minor students.

Outreach, Advancement & Extramural Funding

• Develop, implement, and execute a strategic fundraising campaign to include event sponsorship, outreach, fundraising goals, etc., working with the CIE Advisory Board, its chair, and the Costello College of Business Development and Marketing and Communications teams to ensure long term self-sustainability of the center;
• Responsible within the Center for developing leads for fundraising;
• Manage CIE Advisory Board:
  • Organize Advisory Board meetings;
  • Maintain relationships with Advisory Board members;
  • Manage agenda content for these meetings; and
  • Develop leads for recruitment of new Board members.
• Identify potential private and institutional donors including relevant grant writing opportunities;
• Write grants and donor pitches;
• Coordinate and participate in meetings with potential donors;
• Develop and implement stewardship and relationship management plan for center supporters and donors;
• Serve as the primary point of contact for CIE to the entrepreneurship industry;
• Attend key industry events;
• Work with CIE Advisory Board and Director of Operations and Engagement to facilitate strategic outreach to the entrepreneurship; industry including awareness building, special events, etc. related to CIE programs;
• Ensure that materials/content for the CIE website, newsletter and applicable social media channels are current and updated; and
• Serve as the Center’s point of content for internal and external media opportunities

Teaching

• Teaching load of 3-credits per academic year.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in related field  or the equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Demonstrated understanding of innovation and entrepreneurship industry, community engagement, development, and/or management;
• Experience and a successful track record of building positive relationships with industry professionals and the business community;
• Events management experience;
• Experience managing a budget and procuring goods and services;
• In-depth understanding of entrepreneurship education and best practices;
• Familiarity with higher education governance, operations, and strategic planning;
• Knowledge of budget development, financial management, and resource allocation;
• Knowledge of risk management and legal compliance in higher education;
• Awareness of fundraising and advancement strategies, including grant writing and donor stewardship;
• Understanding of marketing, communications, and event planning for outreach and engagement;
• Familiarity with academic research processes and scholarly publishing;
• Knowledge of and experience in the startup industry, relevant organizations, and firms;
• Strategic planning and implementation skills, including setting and achieving long-term goals;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills for diverse audiences (faculty, students, donors, external partners);
• Budgeting, financial oversight, and resource management skills;
• Strong leadership and team management skills, including performance evaluation and constructive feedback;
• Grant and proposal writing skills;
• Collaboration and relationship-building skills with internal and external stakeholders;
• Strong organizational and project management skills;
• Ability to develop and deliver academic courses in entrepreneurship or related fields;
• Ability to build, motivate, and manage diverse teams;
• Ability to foster interdisciplinary collaboration across university units;
• Ability to analyze data, prepare reports, and make data-informed decisions;
• Ability to balance multiple priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment;
• Innovative mindset and proactive approach to problem-solving; and
• Willingness to travel and engage in outreach activities on behalf of the center.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Terminal degree in a related field;
• Demonstrated entrepreneurship industry leadership and experience;
• Demonstrated experience in managing philanthropic funding, grant administration, and revenue-generating operations to support financial sustainability and cost neutrality in an academic or nonprofit setting;
• Experience working with advisory boards and managing external partnerships;
• Knowledge of the specific landscape of entrepreneurship in higher education, especially within the region;
• Familiarity with entrepreneurship programs and cultural awareness in international contexts;
• Proficiency in data-driven decision-making and leveraging data for program improvement;
• Advanced knowledge of digital tools for communication, outreach, and content management (e.g., website maintenance, social media, CRM systems);
• Ability to craft compelling narratives for fundraising and engagement campaigns;
• Ability to cultivate alumni and external community support for academic and extracurricular programs;
• Flexibility to adapt to emerging needs in the entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem; and
• Enthusiasm for championing the mission of the center and engaging with the entrepreneurial community.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Executive Director, Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter and resume for review.

Posting Open Date: September 11, 2025

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  October 6, 2025

Open Until Filled:  Yes