Location
Atlanta, Georgia
Regular/Temporary
Regular
About Us
Overview Georgia Tech prides itself on its technological resources, collaborations, high-quality student body, and its commitment to building an outstanding and diverse community of learning, discovery, and creation. We strongly encourage applicants whose values align with our institutional values, as outlined in our Strategic Plan. These values include academic excellence, diversity of thought and experience, inquiry and innovation, collaboration and community, and ethical behavior and stewardship. Georgia Tech has policies to promote a healthy work-life balance and is aware that attracting faculty may require meeting the needs of two careers. About Georgia Tech Georgia Tech is a top-ranked public research university situated in the heart of Atlanta, a diverse and vibrant city with numerous economic and cultural strengths. The Institute serves more than 45,000 students through top-ranked undergraduate, graduate, and executive programs in engineering, computing, science, business, design, and liberal arts. Georgia Tech's faculty attracted more than $1.4 billion in research awards this past year in fields ranging from biomedical technology to artificial intelligence, energy, sustainability, semiconductors, neuroscience, and national security. Georgia Tech ranks among the nation's top 20 universities for research and development spending and No. 1 among institutions without a medical school. Georgia Tech's Mission and Values Georgia Tech's mission is to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute has nine key values that are foundational to everything we do: 1. Students are our top priority. 2. We strive for excellence. 3. We thrive on diversity. 4. We celebrate collaboration. 5. We champion innovation. 6. We safeguard freedom of inquiry and expression. 7. We nurture the wellbeing of our community. 8. We act ethically. 9. We are responsible stewards. Over the next decade, Georgia Tech will become an example of inclusive innovation, a leading technological research university of unmatched scale, relentlessly committed to serving the public good; breaking new ground in addressing the biggest local, national, and global challenges and opportunities of our time; making technology broadly accessible; and developing exceptional, principled leaders from all backgrounds ready to produce novel ideas and create solutions with real human impact. Department Information Georgia Tech's Office of Commercialization is the university's hub for turning research and entrepreneurial ideas into real-world companies. In 2025 alone, the office supported over 500 invention disclosures and nearly 180 new startups. Velocity Startups, part of that ecosystem, is an early-stage venture accelerator based at The Biltmore Innovation Center that bridges the gap between nascent ventures many coming out of CREATE-X and Quadrant-i and later-stage programs like ATDC, offering founders access to expert resources, mentorship, workspace, lab space and R&D/prototyping spaces, funding via Velocity's venture fund, mentorship, and connections to Georgia Tech's research and the broader Atlanta innovation community. This position will act as investment and portfolio support lead for the Velocity Startup Fund and will develop and manage a team to support Georgia Tech Foundation GTF Ventures funds, which today include the Create-X Seed Fund, Tennenbaum Fund, and Research Impact Venture Fund.\
Job Summary
Director will lead the development and execution of innovative programs that empower students to launch and grow successful ventures. The ideal candidate is not only a seasoned entrepreneur but also a passionate advocate for student entrepreneurship, committed to fostering a culture of innovation across the Institute. This position involves strategic oversight of program design, recruitment, and mentorship, ensuring that students receive the highest level of support at every stage of their entrepreneurial journey. Collaborating closely with faculty, Institute leadership, and external advisory boards, the Director will drive the growth and visibility of entrepreneurial initiatives, both on campus and within the broader startup ecosystem. Reporting to the Executive Director of Velocity, the Director of Entrepreneurial Programs will spearhead partnerships with the local startup community, engage with alumni, and guide students in leveraging university-wide resources to create scalable, impactful businesses.
Responsibilities
Job Duty 1 - Lead and Develop Entrepreneurial Strategy: Design and implement the overall strategic vision for the Startup Launch program, continuously refining its structure and ensuring alignment with evolving industry trends and student needs.
Job Duty 2 - Lead Program Evaluation, Resource Development, and Continuous Improvement: Track and analyze key performance metrics, including startup success rates, to refine program offerings and maximize impact. Partner with university leadership and external stakeholders to secure funding and resources, ensuring the long-term sustainability, growth, and continuous improvement of the Startup Launch and other entrepreneurial programs based on data-driven insights.
Job Duty 3 - Promote and Grow the Program: Act as the public face of the program, driving marketing and outreach initiatives to attract high-potential students and increase the visibility of the university's entrepreneurial ecosystem. Perform other related duties as assigned.
Job Duty 4 - Primary Coach and Mentor: Serve as the primary Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR), providing strategic guidance to students through the entire startup lifecycle, from ideation to post-launch fundraising and scaling.
Job Duty 5 - Build and Manage a High-Performing Team: Recruit, supervise, and mentor a team of coaches and staff, ensuring excellence in program delivery and fostering a collaborative environment focused on student success.
Job Duty 6 - Curate World-Class Entrepreneurial Resources: Source and collaborate with faculty, industry leaders, investors, and subject-matter experts to enrich the program with high-quality mentorship, workshops, and guest speakers.
Job Duty 7 - Expand External Partnerships: Cultivate and maintain strategic partnerships with local and national startup communities, including legal advisors, venture capitalists, and external service providers, to offer comprehensive support for student ventures.
Job Duty 8 - Oversee Program Operations and Events: Drive the planning, execution, and smooth operation of all program phases, including pre-launch onboarding, post-launch workshops, and monthly Startup Ideas sessions for ideation and feedback.
Job Duty 9 - Champion Student and Alumni Engagement: Facilitate ongoing relationships with current students and alumni, offering tailored mentorship, resources, and networking opportunities to ensure long-term entrepreneurial success.
Job Duty 10 - Perform other job-related duties as assigned
Required Qualifications
Educational Requirements Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Science, or Business-related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
Required Experience Ten or more years of job-related experience
Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Experience
- Experience in entrepreneurial ventures (founding/investment experience a big plus) coupled with sales acumen to support the launch and scaling of new ventures.
- Experience successfully taking technology/product from inception to market.
- Recent experience with students in a higher education environment.
- Experience operating early stage, venture-scalable startups
- Experience running organizations such as accelerator; venture capital investor, etc.
- 7-10 years of experience investing in venture capital and/or start up development.
- Strong network of investors and experience working with a variety of venture capital firms as co-investors
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
Technical Skills:
- Proficiency in establishing procedures and creating due diligence.
- Familiarity with Startup and/or Venture Capital projects/environments.
- Familiarity with Entrepreneurship Ecosystems
- Proficient in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint
- Working knowledge of AirTable
Soft Skills:
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
- Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
- Attention to detail and a commitment to delivering quality work.
USG Core Values
The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 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
The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The Institute is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for all. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and Institute policy, Georgia Tech provides equal opportunity to all faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including applicants for admission and/or employment, contractors, volunteers, and participants in institutional programs, activities, or services. Georgia Tech complies with all applicable laws and regulations governing equal opportunity in the workplace and in educational activities. Equal opportunity and decisions based on merit are fundamental values of the University System of Georgia ("USG") and Georgia Tech. Georgia Tech prohibits discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, on the basis of an individual's race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetics, or veteran status in its programs, activities, employment, and admissions. Further, Georgia Tech prohibits citizenship status, immigration status, and national origin discrimination in hiring, firing, and recruitment, except where such restrictions are required in order to comply with law, regulation, executive order, or Attorney General directive, or where they are required by Federal, State, or local government contract.
Other Information
Salary range: $131,074.00-$178,268.00 / annually Location: Atlanta, GA Job grade: A14 This is not a supervisory position. This position does have financial responsibilities. No, this position will not be required to drive. This role is considered a position of trust. This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card). This position will not travel This position does not require security clearance.
Other Information
Role specific responsibilities include
Background Check
A successful candidate must be able to pass a background check, which will include a credit check. Please visit https://usg.policystat.com/policy/19298143/latest
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