Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives, Batten Institute at Darden School of Business

The University of Virginia Darden School of Business, one of the world's leading business schools, seeks a strategic and collaborative Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives and Programs to join the Batten Institute of Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Technology.

TheSeniorDirector is a senioroperational and programmaticleaderof theBatten Institutewhois key toshaping its future vision and leading execution against it.This position develops and drives mission-critical programs by engaging a broad coalition of Darden staff, faculty, students, and alumni across initiativesspanningthe areas of entrepreneurship,innovationand technology/AI.The Senior Director advances the Institute's mission of buildingentrepreneurialmindset and skillset in MBAs and Darden's mission of inspiring purpose-driven innovative leaders who will change the world.

TheSenior Directormanagesan experienced team ofdirect reports and collaborates closely with the larger Batten Institute and Darden enterprise leadership teams. This positionreports directly to theBatten InstituteExecutive Directorand is basedat the Darden School of Businessin Charlottesville, VA, with anideal start dateofOctober 2026.

Primary stakeholdersand related responsibilitiesinclude:

Students& Alumni

• Shapesthe student experience acrossMBA formatsand sectorsthroughco-curricular andexperiential learningprogramsin the areas of entrepreneurship,innovationand tech/AI.Programsmayinclude immersions, workshops, bootcamps,incubators/accelerators,speaker series,awards/competitions, conferences,projects, courses, internships/fellowships,and student club activities-offering unique opportunities toskill-build and to network with academics,practitionersand mentors.
• Managestheteam that runs flagshipstudentand alumniprograms includingi.LabIncubator,theSoutheastEntrepreneurship Through AcquisitionConference, Batten VentureInternships, Tech& AI Learning Series,DC Tech Connect,and the Batten Scholarships.Developsnew, impactful programsin collaborationwiththeteam.
• Supports students 1:1 around their specific needs in career/startup development and networking.
• Runs point on initiatives to invigorate andsustain a strong Darden alumnicommunity in the stated focusareas andgalvanizes a robust network to support current students and fellow alumniin collaboration with Darden'sAlumni Engagementteamand Alumni Career Services.
• Helps managetheprestigious Batten Scholarprogram (full tuition and fees),inclusiveofBatten Scholar alumni, and related scholarships for innovators. Creates mechanisms for longitudinal outcome tracking.

Faculty

• Supports Darden faculty through strategic planning and outreach for course speakers, conference panelists and guests,and co-curricular workshops.
• Helpsfaculty tobridge theoryandpractice by creating programmatic touchpointswithleaders of techcompanies,recentlyacquiredcompanies,early-stage ventures, andVC firms.
• Works with Batten's thought leadership team to find opportunitiesforfaculty and Darden alumni to create and curate content that strengthens Darden's brand around entrepreneurial mindset and skillset.

The Broader Darden Enterprise

• Developsstrong partnerships with a range of stakeholdersasacritical element of success in this role.The Senior Director is a visible faceofthe Institute, partneringwithcolleagues intheDardenoffices of Communications & Marketing,Admissions, Alumni Engagement, Alumni Career Services, Career Services;as well as the Dean's Office and other centers of excellence (Lacross Institute for Ethical AI;Mayo Center for Asset Management;Institute for Business in Society; Center for Global Initiatives), in order to strategize on and deliver top-notch programs, communications, events,and engagement opportunities forkey stakeholders.Oversees MBA rankings submissionprocessfor entrepreneurship specialty.
• Partners with Batten Institute Executive Director and Dardenleadershipto deepen collaborations across UVA around entrepreneurship and innovation-notably UVA Innovates/The Foundry,UVANorthern Virginia, the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and theMcIntire School of Commerce-toadvancetheInstitute'sgoals.
• Choreographs alignment of team priorities andnew pilotsin support of Darden'sstrategic goals.
• Maintainsa partnershipwith the DardenSchoolFoundation and the UVAAlumni Association,representingand engagingalumni entrepreneurs,innovatorsand technologists.

RequiredEducation andExperience:

• Bachelor'sdegreeand at least five yearsof relevantprofessional experiencerequired, including 2 years of managerialexperience.
• Strong preference will be given to candidates with a Master's degree and 10+ years of relevant experience, including 5+ years of managerial experience.

Knowledge,Skillsand Abilities:

• Demonstrated abilityas a results- and relationship-driven peoplemanager.
• Expertisein program management, entrepreneurship and venture development, Venture Capital, and/or tech.
• Collaborative team player who caneffectivelyengage with other senior leaders andmanage by influence across the Darden enterprise,workingproactivelyandprofessionally with students, faculty,andstaff.
• Demonstratedimpactin setting andachievingmetrics-driven goalsfor high-quality programsthroughbothsystemicandindividualdevelopment.
• Ability topush throughstrategic initiatives and ensure successful execution against plans and objectives.
• Ability to translate thoughts and directives from several areas into a cohesive plan of action.
• Ability to be a self-starter, owna vision anddriveresults.
• Ability to manage budget processes and procedures.
• Belief in the mission of theBatten Institute andDarden School, and passion for the University of Virginia; Darden alumni are encouraged to apply.

Physical Demands

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

This is an exempt-level, benefited position. Learn more about UVA benefits.

To learn more about UVA and in the Charlottesville area, visit UVA Life and Embark CVA.

The position will remain open until filled.

Additional Requirements

• Background checks will be conducted on all new hires prior to employment.
• This position will not consider candidates who require immigration sponsorship now or in the future.

How to Apply

Please apply online, by searching for requisition number R0085864. Complete an application with the following documents:

• Resume
• Cover Letter - should include your interest in the position and how your relevant experience pertains to this position.

Upload all materials into the resume submission field. You can submit multiple documents into this one field or combine them into one PDF. Applications without all required documents will not receive full consideration.

Internal applicants may search and apply for jobs on theUVA Internal Careers website.

Reference checks will be completed by UVA's third-party partner, SkillSurvey, during the final phase of the interview. Five references will be requested, with at least three responses required.

For questions about the position, please contact Mary Jones at jonesm@darden.virginia.edu.

For questions about the application process, please contact Jessica Russo, sxv9zv@virginia.edu.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA's commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.