Assistant Director, Entrepreneurship - Ontario, Canada - York University

Description

Purpose:

YSpace is York University's pan-university entrepreneurship and innovation hub supporting startups and entrepreneurs from a variety of sectors and communities.

Our programming spans across scaling innovative technologies through customer and investor capital to scaling agri-food businesses into mass retail to diversity-focused initiatives like ELLA for women-led businesses and Black Entrepreneurship Alliance (BEA) for Black-led businesses.

We are also home to two physical hubs in the City of Markham and the Town of Assistant Director, Entrepreneurship role is accountable for the strategic planning and implementation of programming and physical hubs within YSpace.

Responsibilities include relationship management, business development, and oversight of program financial and human resources.

The role works with industry and government partners, and counterparts at other post-secondary institutions to foster partnerships, collaboration and elevating the impact of the work done by YSpace.

The role champions decolonizing, equity, diversity and inclusion principles in all aspects of work conducted by YSpace.

Education:

Bachelor's degree in relevant discipline, such as business and entrepreneurship.
Product or Project Management certification.

Experience:

3 years of management experience.
Experience in design, development and management of entrepreneurship programming and physical incubator hub/accelerator experience.
Experience leading teams within a complex organizational structure.
Experience managing third-party consultants and service providers.
Experience in business development including corporate partnerships and government relations.
Experience managing entrepreneurship initiatives in a higher education setting.

Skills:

Knowledge
Knowledge of entrepreneurial programming infrastructure and set ups.
Knowledge of entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystems in the GTA and other cities/communities.
Knowledge of incubators and accelerators and the role they play, especially within academic institutions.

Knowledge of funding initiatives available in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, including industry partners and key players in venture capital and angel investment.

Knowledge of programs focused on Decolonization, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Skills
Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with ability to communicate effectively across varied audiences and lead in negotiations.
Business and entrepreneurial acumen, with ability to devise and present entrepreneurial concepts and grant proposals to different audiences.
Effective leadership and people management skills.
Effective financial management and planning skills, including the ability to develop reports on performance.
Effective in managing multiple projects in a deadline driven environment, including setting priorities for team members.
Ability to develop and maintain professional networks with partners.
Ability to translate strategic goals to actionable operational plans.