Director of the Entrepreneurship Research and Incubation Center (ERIC)

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

• Please ensure your full range of knowledge, skills, abilities,

experience, and education are listed on your application. Do not
write ‘see resume’ on your application when completing the job
duties section. • If you answer the supplemental questions at the
end of the application, please ensure your application reflects the
knowledge, skills, abilities, and experiences to support your
answers.

Posting Details

Posting Summary

Position Number

6086-0000-0004-089

Classification Title

Director of ERIC

Working Title

Director of the Entrepreneurship Research and Incubation Center
(ERIC)

Division

Academic Affairs

Department/Unit

Department of Business, Accounting, and Sport Management

Section

Department of Business, Accounting, and Sport Management
(section)

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

The primary purpose of the Entrepreneurship Research and
Incubation Center ( ERIC ) within the School of Business,
Health, and Applied Sciences is to advance entrepreneurship,
innovation, applied research, and economic development by providing
students, faculty, entrepreneurs, and community partners with the
resources, education, mentorship, and support necessary to
transform innovative ideas into viable and sustainable
enterprises.

ERIC serves as a collaborative hub that connects academic learning
with real-world entrepreneurial experiences. The Center promotes an
entrepreneurial mindset through business incubation, research,
experiential learning, technical assistance, mentorship, workshops,
and strategic partnerships with businesses, government agencies,
nonprofit organizations, and regional economic-development
partners.

Through its programs and initiatives, ERIC supports the development
of student and community entrepreneurs, strengthens small and
emerging businesses, encourages commercialization and innovation,
and creates opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration
across business, health, science, technology, and other applied
disciplines.

Ultimately, the Center contributes to the University’s mission by
preparing students for leadership and entrepreneurship, supporting
workforce and business development, fostering innovation, and
strengthening the economic vitality of northeastern North Carolina
and the broader region.

Description of Work

Elizabeth City State University seeks a strategic leader,
experienced relationship builder with strong operational expertise
to serve as Director of the Entrepreneurship Research and
Incubation Center, beginning October 1, 2026. The Director serves
as the strategic and operational leader of the Center, advancing
its mission to cultivate entrepreneurial thinking, innovation, and
student-centered experiential learning across the university.
Reporting to the Dean of the School of Business, Health &
Applied Sciences, the Director translates vision into action by
building sustainable funding streams, strengthening signature
programming, launching and managing an Entrepreneur in Residence (
EIR ) program, and supporting the center’s Advisory Board.

The Director will elevate the Center’s profile, expand its
resources, and foster a campus-wide culture of entrepreneurship
aligned with the University’s strategic priorities, and commitment
to inclusive, student-centered excellence.

Competencies/Knowledge Skills, and Abilities Required in this
Position

• Leadership and Strategic Planning: Ability to provide

strategic direction, manage daily operations, develop programs, and
implement initiatives that support the Center’s mission and
university goals.

• Program Development and Management: Knowledge of

entrepreneurship, innovation, business incubation, and experiential
learning. Ability to develop, coordinate, and evaluate programs
that support student and business development.

• Communication and Relationship Building: Strong written,

verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills. Ability to
establish and maintain effective partnerships with faculty,
students, entrepreneurs, donors, and community stakeholders.

• Financial and Resource Management: Knowledge of

budgeting, fundraising, resource development, and financial
management practices to support organizational sustainability.

• Project Management and Organizational Skills: Ability to

manage multiple projects, establish priorities, meet deadlines, and
develop efficient operational processes.

• Assessment and Analytical Skills: Ability to collect and

analyze data, measure program outcomes, prepare reports, and use
findings to improve program effectiveness.

• Collaboration and Adaptability: Ability to work

effectively across university departments, lead collaborative
initiatives, solve problems, and respond to changing organizational
needs.

Minimum Training and Experience

• Master’s degree required in Business, Entrepreneurship, Higher

Education Administration, Operations Management, or related
field

• Proven ability to manage complex projects and multiple

stakeholders while maintaining high standards of quality and
timeliness. Experience supervising staff, managing budgets, and
building efficient systems.

• Minimum 3 years of experience in higher education,

entrepreneurship, innovation-driven organizations, or related
settings.

• Experience managing or leading programming initiatives in an

educational or innovation setting.

• Strong communication, interpersonal, and presentation

skills.

• Demonstrated ability to lead strategically, execute

operationally, and pivot based on evolving opportunities.

Management Preferences:

Terminal degree in Business Administration, Entrepreneurship,
Higher Education, or related field. Experience working with
advisory boards or governance bodies.

Familiarity with impact dashboards or venture tracking tools.

Experience collaborating with university advancement
teams.

License or Certification Required by Statute or
Regulation

Management Preferences

Position Recruitment Range

Position Category

Staff

Position Status

Permanent Full Time

FLSA

Exempt

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number

EHRA00624P

Job Open Date

10/28/2026

Job Close Date

Open Until Filled

Yes

Special Instructions to Applicant

• Please ensure your full range of knowledge, skills, abilities,

experience, and education are listed on your application. Do not
write ‘see resume’ on your application when completing the job
duties section. • If you answer the supplemental questions at the
end of the application, please ensure your application reflects the
knowledge, skills, abilities, and experiences to support your
answers.

EHRA OSHR Statement

This position is Exempt from the State Human Resources Act.

AA/EEO Statement

Elizabeth City State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal
Opportunity Employer. The University does not discriminate in
access to its educational programs and activities, or with respect
to hiring or the terms and conditions of employment, on the basis
of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity and
expression, political affiliation, age, disability, veteran status,
genetic information or sexual orientation.

Background Check Statement

Any offer of employment to a successful candidate will be
conditioned upon the University’s receipt of a satisfactory
criminal background report.

Eligibility for Employment

You must complete and submit an electronic application for
employment to be considered. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu
of completing an electronic application. Applicants seeking
Veteran’s Preference must attach a DD 214 form. Certificate of
Release or Discharge from Active Duty with your application during
the process of applying to the job posting. Final candidates are
subject to criminal and sex offender background checks. Elizabeth
City State University State University is an Equal Opportunity and
Affirmative Action Employer. Elizabeth City State University
participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to
verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired
to work in the United States. State University is an Equal
Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.

Quicklink for Posting

https://jobs.ecsu.edu/postings/7873

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
• Public Job Posting
• Internal Job Posting
• Agency Referral
• Advertisement/Publication
• Personal Referral
• Website
• Other
• Are you a current employee of the university?
• Yes
• No
• Do you have a master’s degree in Business, Entrepreneurship,

Higher Education Administration, Operations Management, or a
related field?

• Yes
• No
• Do you have a minimum of 3 years of experience in higher

education, entrepreneurship, innovation-driven organizations, or
related settings?

• Yes
• No
• What is your Philosophy for serving students?

(Open Ended Question)

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Unofficial Transcripts (Official transcripts will be required

if you are identified as a finalist for the position.)

Optional Documents

• DD214
• Other