Job description

Full time (29-40 Hrs)

Type of Employment:

Staff

# of openings:

1

Location:

Henderson State University

Proposed Salary Range:

$50,000-75,000

Closing:

4/6/26

Please note: All postings close at 12 A.M. CST on the closing date. A-State participates in E-Verify.

Position Summary:

The Director of the Tad and Judy Krug Entrepreneurship Institute provides strategic and operational leadership for the University’s entrepreneurship and innovation initiatives. The Director serves as the foundational leader of a newly established Institute, responsible for launching programs, building partnerships, and positioning the Institute as a regional hub for applied entrepreneurship, experiential learning, and community engagement.
This is a hands-on, externally facing role focused on student venture development, community entrepreneurship, and practical innovation, not solely academic administration.

Inspiring Innovation. Empowering Entrepreneurs. Creating Opportunity.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Institute Leadership & Strategy

• Launch and lead the Tad & Judy Krug Entrepreneurship Institute in alignment with the College of Business’ mission.
• Develop and execute a multi-year implementation plan tied to funded priorities.
• Serve as the primary spokesperson and ambassador for the Institute.

Program Development & Experiential Learning

• Design and oversee student-focused entrepreneurship programming, including:
  • Startup boot camps and pitch competitions
  • Venture development and consulting projects
  • Workshops, speaker series, and innovation sprints
• Collaborate with faculty to integrate entrepreneurship into coursework and experiential learning.
• Align Institute programming with the Southern Bancorp Innovation Lab.

Student & Venture Support

• Provide direct coaching and mentoring to student entrepreneurs and startup teams.
• Coordinate access to seed funding, pitch opportunities, and external mentors.
• Support inclusive pathways into entrepreneurship for diverse student populations.

Community & External Partnerships

• Build and sustain partnerships with:
  • Local and regional businesses
  • Economic development organizations
  • K-12 partners (e.g., Economics Arkansas)
  • Alumni entrepreneurs and industry leaders
• Position the Institute as a connector between the University and the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Global Entrepreneurship Engagement

• Manage the Institute’s global entrepreneurship partnership (Ghana)
• Support student engagement as mentors, judges, and (beginning in 2027) participants in global experiential learning opportunities.

Operations & Stewardship

• Manage the Institute’s operating budget and ensure responsible use of donor funds.
• Oversee Institute space and coordinate with facilities and technology partners
• Track participation, outcomes, and impact for reporting to University leadership and donors.

Entrepreneur-in-Residence (As Program Evolves)

• Depending on program growth and funding the Director may:
  • Serve as Entrepreneur-in-Residence or
  • Supervise and collaborate with an Entrepreneur-in-Residence who provides additional venture coaching and practitioner engagement.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: * Demonstrated ability to build partnerships and manage programs
* Strong communication, organizational, and relationship-building skills

General Days/Hours: * Full-time, primarily on-campus position
* Occasional evening and weekend events
* Local, regional, and limited national/international travel

Other:

Please note: all position postings close at 12:00 A.M. CST on the position closing date

Minimum Qualifications: * Bachelor’s degree in Business, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, or a related field
* Minimum of 5 years of experience in entrepreneurship, innovation, economic development, or applied higher education leadership

Preferred Qualifications
* MBA or doctorate
* Experience as an entrepreneur, founder, or startup leader
* Experience working with community entrepreneurship, accelerators, or venture programs
* Experience managing externally funded initiatives

E-Verify Participation Notice:

https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/EVerifyParticipationPoster.pdf

E-Verify Right to Work:

https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/IER_RightToWorkPoster%20Eng_Es.pdf

How to apply

Apply now

Henderson State University is an AA/EEO/ADA employer.