Assistant Director - Gilliam Center for Entrepreneurship (GCFE)

About the role

The Leslie Flanary Gilliam Center for Entrepreneurship (GCFE) at James Madison University seeks applications for the position of Assistant Director.

Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Assistant Director will play a key leadership role in advancing entrepreneurship education, experiential learning, and community engagement across the university and region.

Responsibilities

• Manage and support existing GCFE programs and initiatives that advance entrepreneurship education and venture creation.
• Develop and deliver hands-on educational programming for undergraduate students, graduate students, alumni, and community participants, including programming related to Entrepreneurship through Acquisition (ETA).
• Mentor and coach student entrepreneurs, startup teams, and volunteer alumni mentors.
• Advise and support entrepreneurship-focused student organizations, including the Society of Entrepreneurs and Epsilon Nu Tau – Kappa Chapter.
• Guide students toward academic, professional, and experiential opportunities including minors, conferences, competitions, incubators, and funding programs.
• Foster faculty and student engagement in entrepreneurship scholarship, innovation, and experiential learning.
• Manage the Student Ambassador program and Entrepreneurship Faculty Fellows to support outreach and student engagement efforts.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with alumni, donors, business leaders, entrepreneurs, nonprofit organizations, and local governments.
• Expand the GCFE’s role in regional economic development by developing innovative community-based entrepreneurship initiatives.
• Serve as a visible ambassador for the GCFE within the university and broader entrepreneurial ecosystem.
• Nurture and grow a network of supporters and advocates for the GCFE mission.
• Aid in the implementation of the strategic vision and operational priorities of the Center.
• Support day-to-day management of GCFE activities, programs, and initiatives.
• Lead and supervise operations, marketing staff, student employees, graduate assistants, and interns.
• Lead grant writing, fundraising, grant management, and reporting activities across GCFE programs.
• Support budget planning, financial tracking, and operational reporting.
• Help ensure the Center maintains sustainable, collaborative, and adaptable operations across diverse funding sources.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, entrepreneurship, education, nonprofit management, economic development, or a related field.
• Minimum of five years of professional experience in entrepreneurship, startup leadership, small business management, economic development, higher education, nonprofit leadership, or related areas.
• Demonstrated leadership, organizational, and project management experience.
• Strong written, verbal, and public communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders including students, faculty, alumni, business leaders, donors, nonprofit organizations, and government entities.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively as part of a collaborative team.
• Demonstrated commitment to entrepreneurship education and community engagement.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or terminal degree preferred.
• Experience developing and delivering entrepreneurship education or experiential learning programs.
• Experience with fundraising, grant writing, and grant administration.
• Experience mentoring entrepreneurs, startup founders, or student innovators.
• Experience with budget management and organizational operations.
• Familiarity with social media, digital communications, CRM systems, and related technologies.
• Experience working in higher education, nonprofit organizations, startup ecosystems, or entrepreneurial support organizations.