Associate Director of Ventures

Overview

The Associate Director is responsible for strategy development and implementation of a vision and infrastructure to establish and accelerate a Howard community culture of entrepreneurship that spans research institutes, colleges, departments, alumni, and other Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Supervisory Authority

The Associate Director will initially manage our team of consultants who currently assist the Tech Transfer and Commercialization Unit with specialized support, including venture coaching, market analysis, and startup guidance. This supervisory responsibility includes task delegation, performance oversight, and coordination of deliverables to ensure alignment with unit objectives.

Nature And Scope

Strategic Collaboration with Entrepreneurship Programs and Partners

• Build entrepreneurship capacity across campus by supporting faculty, students, and staff with commercialization opportunities. The Associate Director will coordinate outreach and plans for entrepreneurs with other stakeholders and entrepreneurship programs in the Howard ecosystem.
• The Associate Director is also expected to foster a robust regional entrepreneurial ecosystem by developing strategic relationships with peer technology incubator leaders (particularly in the DMV and other HBCUs), community business and civic leaders, relevant state and federal agencies, as well as alumni. This includes developing strong external relationships with angel investors, venture capital firms, accelerators, serial entrepreneurs, mentors, government entrepreneurship programs, and commercial partners that can support the success and growth of startup companies from Howard.

Guidance and Business Development to Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses

• Lead an incubation methodology and programming pathway for clients of Ventures and Entrepreneurship based on their business needs and stage of development.
• Inspire Howard aspiring entrepreneurs and support their new ventures by identifying, recruiting, and making introductions to appropriate advisors, mentors, investors, corporate partners, and service providers. This includes marketing and organizing information on a "portfolio" of Howard startup companies to help share opportunities with potential partners.
• Champion support for diverse entrepreneurs on campus through programs that increase inclusion, training, management assistance, and seed funding.

Manage Incubator Activities

• Manage PitchHU Incubator and GrowHU Accelerator programs in collaboration with external partners. Deliver entrepreneurship programming, collaborate with corporate partners, and build a robust, innovative community at Howard.
• Develop program metrics, track the services provided, and develop reporting mechanisms for internal and external audiences. This includes the use of the Salesforce platform and other data management systems to manage client information and tracking of business progression.
• Oversee the preparation of information on incubator activities and performance for stakeholders at Howard.

Support Entrepreneurship and Economic Development with External Funding

• Spearhead the submission of grants for new federal and state funding to support entrepreneurship and technology commercialization programs at Howard, in order to increase new venture creation and support the research and innovation competitiveness of the campus. This includes work with departments, institutes, and investigators on campus to develop entrepreneurship capabilities within new centers and federally funded programs.
• Support outreach to other incubator locations in the DMV to provide expertise, sharing, and operations guidance. This includes support grant programs that assist entrepreneurs throughout Illinois.
• Coordinate entrepreneurship programs with other colleges and universities which elevate technology entrepreneurship programs throughout other HBCUs, including resources and capabilities across the Howard community and other HBCUs.

Principal Accountabilities

The Associate Director of Ventures and Entrepreneurship is responsible for leading the strategic development and operational execution of entrepreneurial and venture creation initiatives within the Office of Research's Technology Transfer & Commercialization Unit. Reporting to the Director of Technology Transfer & Commercialization, this role plays a critical leadership position in expanding the university's innovation ecosystem by supporting the formation, incubation, and growth of university-affiliated startups and faculty−, student−, and community−led ventures.

Key Accountabilities Include

• Designing and implementing programs that translate Howard University's research, intellectual property, and creative works into viable startup and spinout companies.
• Leading the Grow|HU and Venture|HU initiatives by managing entrepreneurial pipelines, spinout support services, and venture−readiness programming.
• Building and maintaining a network of venture capitalists, angel investors, alumni entrepreneurs, and industry mentors to provide capital and guidance to emerging ventures.
• Working in close coordination with internal partners (e.g., Office of Corporate Relations, Office of the General Counsel, Office of Innovation & Economic Development, Schools and Colleges) to align commercialization and venture goals across the university.
• Advising faculty, students, and staff on business model development, startup formation, and investment strategies tailored to deep tech, life sciences, software, and creative sector ventures.
• Establishing performance metrics and reporting mechanisms for tracking startup creation, funding secured, and economic impact from entrepreneurial activities.
• Representing Howard University at national and regional convenings focused on inclusive innovation, HBCU entrepreneurship, and university spinouts.
• Managing program staff, budgetary resources, and strategic partnerships that strengthen Howard's capacity to serve as a launchpad for underrepresented founders and scalable ventures.
• Supporting the Director in institutional planning and fundraising efforts that enhance the university's visibility and competitiveness in translational research and startup acceleration.

Core Competencies

• Leadership
• Interpersonal Skills
• Communications
• Partnership Management
• Contract Negotiation and Management
• Strategy Development
• Mentoring

Minimum Requirements

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, science, technology, business administration, finance, or related field. A minimum of 10 years of management experience within a business enterprise and/or entrepreneurial incubator, including prior experience with technology commercialization based on innovative research, developing customers, direction from a board of directors/advisors, and growth stage progression. Prior experience with venture capital, angel investment, and SBIR/STTR funding for small business financing, which includes an understanding of term sheets, cap tables, and investment/funding options for startup companies. Experience developing and directing technology commercialization programs, understanding of technology startup company challenges and resources needed, and an ability to empower and develop company founders.

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA or equivalent degree strongly preferred. Grant administration and reporting with government agencies. Experience in higher education administration, including work with faculty and graduate students to develop new ventures, license technology, and successfully commercialize research.
• Experience with entrepreneurship ecosystems, business incubators, small business mentoring, accelerators, and commercialization programs. Salesforce or other CRM software experience with data management, metrics, dashboards, and presentation of analytics.

Compliance Salary Range Disclosure

Expected Pay Range: $95,000 - $105,000

Seniority level

• Director

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Business Development and Sales
• Industries
• Online Audio and Video Media

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