Entrepreneur In Residence

Towson University (TU) is one of the nation’s top 100 public universities. Located north of Baltimore, TU currently enrolls over 19,000 students and is the second-largest university in the prestigious University System of Maryland. Towson University fosters a climate that is grounded in respect to cultivate the intellectual and personal growth of the entire university community.

Reporting to the Executive Director of StarTUp, the Entrepreneur in Residence (EiR) will lead the annual accelerator program at the StarTUp, provide expert advice and guidance to accelerator founders and companies in residence, and provide coaching and guidance to community entrepreneurs at the StarTUp.  The EiR will also support the Executive Director in providing advocacy for Entrepreneurship at TU, the Greater Baltimore Region, and throughout Maryland, while promoting the strategic vision of Entrepreneurship&TU. The EiR is both internally and externally facing and works with academic leaders, faculty, students, administrative leaders, and external constituents to integrate, develop and promote entrepreneurial activity and innovative for-profit and non-profit business concepts.

Program Delivery

• Lead the 8-week summer TU StarTUp Accelerator program, including the design, and implementation of the Accelerator program, ensuring participants receive high-value guidance, mentorship, resources, and networking opportunities.
• In collaboration with the Assistant Director and StarTUp team administer the annual accelerator cycle, including application launch, recruitment, selection, program scheduling, and final showcase event.
• Work collaboratively with the Executive Director, Assistant Director, and StarTUp staff to assess accelerator programming, curriculum, and participant experience, and contribute recommendations for ongoing improvement. Lead or co-facilitate workshops, seminars, expert sessions and other relevant founder-focused programming for students, faculty, and community entrepreneurs.
• Contribute and deliver student-focused and youth entrepreneurship programs, in coordination with the StarTUp team and TU academic partners.
• Assist in strengthening infrastructure to support faculty-led entrepreneurial initiatives, including interdisciplinary collaboration.

Mentorship and Advisory Services

• Guide founders throughout all stages through exit, including one-on-one, and group mentorship to entrepreneurs, startup founders, and accelerator participants, including advising on business models, strategic growth, fundraising, operations, and market development.
• Guide students, faculty, and staff in the development of business concepts, business plans, pitch presentations, and commercialization strategies.
• Assist companies in navigating challenges, identifying opportunities, and accessing funding or investment.
• Facilitate connections to potential customers, investors, advisors, and strategic partners.
• Recommend and engage additional subject-matter experts, mentors, and advisors to strengthen community and student startup company progression and outcomes.
• Advise on intellectual property protection and technology transfer opportunities in collaboration with university partners.

Relationship Building and Advocacy

• Support the Executive Director in serving as an ambassador for the StarTUp and TU’s entrepreneurship ecosystem within the University, the Greater Baltimore region, and the state of Maryland.
• Engage with TU academic leaders, faculty, and staff to encourage cross-campus entrepreneurial engagement and collaboration, in coordination with the Executive Director.
• Assist in developing and maintaining partnerships with local, regional, and national organizations that support entrepreneurial growth.
• Represent the StarTUp at selected entrepreneurship-related events, conferences, panels, and meetings, as designated by the Executive Director, to promote TU entrepreneurship programs and resources.

Strategic Planning and Reporting

• Participate in data tracking, impact measurement, and reporting to evaluate program success.
• Support the Executive Director in preparing internal and external reports, presentations, and proposals related to entrepreneurship initiatives.

Other Duties as Assigned

• Support the StarTUp’s daily operations, events, and special projects as needed.
• Participate in staff meetings, planning sessions, and professional development activities.
• Submission of weekly Unanet timesheets is required. Timesheets must be submitted by the close of business on the Monday after the week ends. Authorized timesheet approvers (Project Managers and Supervisors) are expected to evaluate and approve timesheets within 3 days of employee submission.

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
• Five (5)+ years of leadership experience in a business or organization.
• Demonstrated experience as a founder or senior leader in a startup or organization, including navigating major milestones such as scaling, fundraising, or exiting.
• Knowledge of both nonprofit and for-profit business models.
• Excel in quick-ideation, keen listening and follow-through.
• Exceptional communication, writing, presentation, and networking abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and approach responsibilities with a strong sense of urgency and accountability. Experience collaborating with diverse stakeholders, including government and academic institutions.
• Demonstrated experience and success in fundraising for startup companies.
• Proven capacity to support and mentor entrepreneurs and colleagues, including staying current on trends in entrepreneurship, innovation, and founder support practices.
• Evidence of diplomatic and tactful communication skills to support building relationships across diverse cultures and backgrounds, within the University, its constituents, and greater Baltimore.
• Proficient with tools such as Microsoft Office Suite, Slack, and Canva.

Preferences:

• Graduate Degree.

• Exited Former Founder.

• Working knowledge of supporting international startup companies and founders.
• A high degree of enthusiasm, energy, and creativity.
• Evidence of understanding how to support student and faculty entrepreneurs.
• Familiarity with Airtable platform.

Targeted salary range of $125,000 annually. Contractual employees scheduled to work 30 or more hours per week may be eligible for subsidized health benefits coverage.

For consideration, please submit a resume with your online application. This position will be open for a minimum of 14 days.