(On-site) Director of Entrepreneurship Ecosystem - Research Office

The Research Office at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for an on-site Director of Entrepreneurship Ecosystem.

About the Opportunity

The Director of the WVU Entrepreneurship Ecosystem leads and coordinates entrepreneurship initiatives across West Virginia University's campuses, including Main, WVU Tech and Potomac State College. This role oversees program alignment, stakeholder engagement, and data systems to support student, faculty, and staff entrepreneurs, while fostering collaboration across the ecosystem through shared tools, routine communication, and continuous process improvement. This role will also have the responsibility of overseeing the Morris L. Hayhurst Launch Lab.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

• Lead and oversee coordination among all members of the WVU Entrepreneurship Ecosystem to ensure alignment and collective progress toward shared goals.
• Promote effective communication and collaboration across ecosystem partners through regular engagement, relationship-building, and shared initiatives.
• Assign and support each ecosystem member in delivering cross-training to educate fellow partners on available services, expertise, and entrepreneurial resources.
• Develop and implement a standardized, ecosystem-wide client intake process to assess needs, monitor progress, and improve client navigation and outcomes.
• Organize and facilitate regularly scheduled meetings to foster continuous communication, strategic alignment, and collaborative problem-solving.
• Evaluate, select, and oversee the implementation of a centralized database or cloud-based platform to track client interactions, referrals, and program impact.
• Lead an annual review of ecosystem process maps to ensure accuracy, capture lessons learned, and identify opportunities for internal process improvements.
• Assess the effectiveness of ecosystem operations and recommend data-driven strategies to enhance support for entrepreneurial success.
• Represent WVU in partnerships with external stakeholders-including government, industry, and community organizations-to strengthen and expand the entrepreneurship ecosystem.
• Responsible for the Morris L. Hayhurst LaunchLab at WVU.
• Responsible for LaunchLab staff, including the Office Administrator and client coaching.
• Will work with Executive Director for the Office of Student and Faculty Innovation for budgetary spending approval and allocations.
• Responsible for MakerLab prototyping studio and LaunchLab audio/video studio.
• Seek grant and philanthropic funding to support efforts of the LaunchLab in order to create a self-sustaining entity.
• Participate in University, state, and national organizations promoting entrepreneurship and innovation at WVU.
• Participate as an NSF I-Corps instructor and conducts outreach to recruit into the program at WVU
• Work closely with the Executive Director of the Office of Innovation and Commercialization to support new programs and educational opportunities for students and faculty members.
• Coordinate and support student pitch competitions.
• Responsible for reporting of LaunchLab activities, metrics, and outcomes for internal and external purposes.

• Bachelor's degree
• A minimum of eight (8) years of experience in a combination of the following:
  • Experience in an administrative position
  • Experience as a faculty or high-level position at a higher education institution
  • Experience with grant funding programs
  • Experience working with or in business startups
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong ability to collaborate across multi-disciplinary units
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including skill in large group presentations
• Strong ability to function in an environment with changing objectives and goals
• High level, superior customer service experience including the ability to independently solve complex and time sensitive problems
• Ability to maintain composure, professionalism, and positive attitude during lengthy periods of high volume, intensive work
• Proven ability to lead diverse groups
• Strong organization skills and detail orientation
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams and programs
• Strong interpersonal and written/oral communication skills
• Experience with implementing and managing data systems
• High-level organization and project management skills
• Ability to adapt and function in evolving, fast-paced environments
• Demonstrated customer service mindset and ability to address complex challenges independently.
• Experience with grant funding, reporting, and compliance
• Strong public speaking and presentation skills
• Proven ability to engage faculty, staff, and students across diverse backgrounds
• Familiarity with business startups, innovation processes, and venture development
• Strong understanding of higher education systems and stakeholder engagement

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.