About Us

Are you ready to join a community leading in innovative teaching and learning? Kennesaw State University is one of the 50 largest public institutions in the country. With our growing enrollment and global reach, we are enjoying increased prominence among Georgia's colleges. We offer more than 150 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to over 43,000 students. Our entrepreneurial spirit, high-impact research, and Division I athletics also draw students from throughout the region and from 92 countries across the globe. Our university's vibrant culture, career opportunities, mission and values and rich benefits make us an employer of choice. We are part of the University System of Georgia . Kennesaw State will exemplify the power and promise of a student-centered, research-driven university. Our institutional values are student-inspired, promise-fulfilling, true to ourselves, elevational, open and impact-generating. In addition, we support the University System of Georgia core values of accountability, excellence, integrity and respect. We are searching for talented people to join Kennesaw State University. Come to KSU and find your passion.

Location

Our Kennesaw campus is located at 1000 Chastain Road NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144.

Job Summary

This position directly supports the innovation and commercialization missions of Kennesaw State University. Primarily this position leads entrepreneurial incubation, commercialization, and acceleration services to HatchBridge Incubator member companies and KSU commercialization projects. The Director of Incubation and Commercialization at Kennesaw State university will report into the Office of Research under the organization of the Assistant Vice President of Innovation and Commercialization. This role will also provide reports on HatchBridge to the Kennesaw State University Research and Service Foundation (KSURSF) as requested. This position provides leadership to HatchBridge Incubator programs that will include but not be limited to innovation, entrepreneurship, and commercialization programs serving both on-campus community and entrepreneurs that are otherwise unaffiliated with Kennesaw State University. This role will manage HatchBridge Incubator staff as well as commercialization programs and staff.

Responsibilities

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Provides visionary leadership for the HatchBridge Incubator and all its programs and employees
2. Oversees HatchBridge Incubator staff, programs, planning, and implementation of incubator efforts. Develops and operates HatchBridge Incubator infrastructure including startup support including mentoring and programming as well as spinout support for university-IP projects including non-dilutive funding and customer discovery. Develop and operate systems and structures to support the operations of HatchBridge in providing consistent high-quality support to startups.
3. Manages all space associated with HatchBridge; leads efforts to expand and build sustainable business models around existing and expansion space.
4. Manages all HatchBridge staff to ensure programs meet outlined objectives
5. Manages HatchBridge mentors and mentorship programs and provides mentorship to entrepreneurs within HatchBridge Programs
6. Functions in a highly collaborative and inclusive fashion, working with university and community leadership as appropriate ensure HatchBridge is meeting the evolving needs of its community
7. Leads community engagement activities for HatchBridge and represent KSU and HatchBridge to the larger Atlanta startup ecosystem and university commercialization ecosystem
8. Serves on the KSU Office of Researchs Executive Committee to ensure continuity and collaboration between HatchBridge and the rest of the Office of Research and the University at large
9. Serves as a KSU liaison to the Georgia Research Alliance for the GRA Ventures program and all other commercialization efforts
10. Manages the HatchBridge budget including identifying and pursuing additional funding opportunities from grants and other revenue opportunities and managing personnel budget in coordination and collaboration with the AVP of Innovation & Commercialization and the Office of Research Business Manager

Required Qualifications

Educational Requirements
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education

Other Required Qualifications
Current, valid and unrestricted drivers' license

Required Experience
Eight (8) years of related experience in early-stage startups, incubators, accelerators, or university-related entrepreneurship programs

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Educational Qualifications
Advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education

Preferred Experience
Fifteen (15) years of combined experience in at least two of the following environments: early-stage startups, incubators, accelerators, commercialization programs, or university-adjacent entrepreneurship programs
Prior experience working commercialization projects with university faculty and graduate students, including developing and executing on non-dilutive grant strategy
Experience teaching Innovation Corps (I-Corps) style customer discovery programs is a strong plus

Proposed Salary

The budgeted salary range is $119,000 to $143,000. Offers are based on relevant experience.

Comprehensive benefits to include Medical, Dental, Vision, 13 paid holidays, vacation, generous retirement plans, tuition waiver, wellness options, and much more! Visit hr.kennesaw.edu/benefits.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

ABILITIES
Able to meet with various constituencies and communicate professionally and effectively.
Able to supervise several individuals directly
Able to build and maintain relationships with a variety of constituents.
Able to work independently and collaboratively.
Able to handle multiple tasks or projects at one-time meeting assigned deadlines.

KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge of budget development and management principles
Knowledge of the best practices of business incubation/business accelerators and development principles

SKILLS
Excellent interpersonal, initiative, teamwork, problem-solving, independent judgment, organization, communication (verbal and written), time management, project management, and presentation skills.
Proficient with computer applications and programs associated with the position (i.e., Microsoft Office suite)
Strong attention to detail and follow-up skills.
Strong customer service skills

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct .

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653 .

Equal Employment Opportunity

Kennesaw State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for living, work and study. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, the University prohibits harassment of or discrimination against any person because of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment, pregnancy, and medical conditions related to pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity or national origin, religion, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran or military status by any member of the KSU Community on campus, in connection with a University program or activity, or in a manner that creates a hostile environment for members of the KSU community.

For additional information or to file a complaint under the provisions of this policy, students, employees, applicants for employment or admission or other third parties should contact the Office of Institutional Equity at English Building, Suite 225, eeo@kennesaw.edu.

Background Check

• Credit Report
• Standard Enhanced
• Education
• DMV

Per the University System of Georgia background check policy, all final candidates will be required to consent to a criminal background investigation. Final candidates may be asked to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment. Applicants for positions of trust with screening
results which confirm a disqualifying criminal history will be immediately disqualified from employment eligibility.

All applicants are required to include professional references as part of their application process. Some positions may require additional job-based screenings such as motor vehicle report, credit check, pre-employment drug screening and/or verification of academic credentials.

https://www.usg.edu/hr/assets/hr/hrap_manual/HRAP_Background_Investigation_Employment.pdf