Executive Director, Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management

About the Role

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) seeks an entrepreneurial and collaborative leader to guide the Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management into its next chapter. The Raikes School is a nationally distinctive honors program at the intersection of computer science, business, innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership. Its highly accomplished students learn in a close-knit cohort environment and apply their knowledge through industry-sponsored projects, startups, and applied research. The Raikes School is expanding, with its incoming cohort growing from 40 to 60 students in fall 2026, creating an opportunity for the next Executive Director to build on its strengths while preserving the exceptional student experience and culture that distinguish the program.

Responsibilities

• Set the strategic direction for the School and lead its next phase of growth.
• Strengthen partnerships across academia, technology, business, industry, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy.
• Expand corporate and philanthropic engagement and elevate the School’s national visibility.
• Ensure continued excellence and innovation in the School’s academic and experiential programs.
• Recruit, develop, and support exceptional faculty, staff, and students.
• Lead a high-performing organization while strengthening its long-term sustainability.

This role calls for someone who can bridge academic and industry credibility, engage with students, faculty, CEOs, entrepreneurs, alumni, and donors, and translate ideas into action.

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of innovation, technology, and business.
• Commitment to excellence in undergraduate education, research, and mentorship.
• Strong leadership, organizational, strategic planning, and financial management skills.
• A record of collaboration across internal and external constituencies.
• Experience scaling organizations, teams, and/or operations.
• Experience with development and philanthropic fundraising.
• An advanced or terminal degree and/or distinguished industry experience, with accomplishments commensurate with the rank of full professor or full professor of practice.

Preferred Experience

• Creating distinctive student opportunities such as venture programs, incubators, entrepreneurial programs, or internships.
• Engaging alumni.
• Recruiting and developing outstanding faculty, staff, and students.

About UNL

UNL is Nebraska’s flagship land-grant university, a Carnegie R1 research institution, and a member of the Big Ten Conference and Big Ten Academic Alliance. The university combines research, teaching, entrepreneurship, and public engagement within Nebraska’s growing technology and innovation ecosystem.