Part-Time Entrepreneur in Residence

About the role

Indiana University East, a regional campus of Indiana University, serves residents of eastern Indiana, western Ohio, and beyond with bachelor's, selected master's degrees and certificates via its main campus in Richmond, off‑campus sites, and online programs. The campus values diverse backgrounds and is committed to enhancing the region’s educational, cultural, and economic development through community and civic engagement. IU Innovates East seeks a part‑time Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) to lead and coordinate a new online program supporting IU East students who are exploring, developing, and launching entrepreneurial ventures. This role serves as the primary operational leader and mentor for the IU Innovates East Founders Group, a competitive 6‑week program designed to help students advance along the IU Innovates Learning and Launch Journey toward the next stage of venture development. The position is based in Richmond, Indiana, is in‑person, part‑time, nonexempt, and runs through June 2027 (with possible extension contingent on funding).

Responsibilities

• Works under the Office of Academic Affairs and coordinates programming with faculty in the School of Business and Economics.
• Plays a central role in establishing IU Innovates East as a complement to IU East's existing entrepreneurship programs and in creating an accessible, cross‑disciplinary pathway for students who want to turn ideas and opportunities into viable ventures.
• Leads the planning, coordination, and implementation of the 6‑week IU Innovates East Founders Group during the fall and spring semesters.
• Recruits students from across IU East, including those participating in existing entrepreneurship programs and students from disciplines outside traditional business programs.
• Coordinates a competitive student application and selection process, with cohort selection informed by applicants' positions within the IU Innovates Learning and Launch Journey and IU East entrepreneurship Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Develops and coordinates weekly asynchronous activities and synchronous online Founders Group meetings.
• Provides individual mentoring and guidance to participating student entrepreneurs.
• Helps students identify specific milestones that will move them toward the next stage of entrepreneurial development.
• Supervises student Community Managers who assist with recruitment, communications, session facilitation, online community management, and participation tracking.
• Works with faculty, staff, alumni, entrepreneurs, and community partners to provide appropriate expertise and resources to participants.
• Connects students, when appropriate, with alumni, entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, and other resources within the IU and regional entrepreneurship ecosystems.
• Tracks student participation, entrepreneurial stage, milestones, and progress toward IU Innovates KPIs.
• Maintains communication with students throughout the 6‑week program and helps participants identify appropriate next steps following completion.
• Assists in documenting program outcomes and student success stories that can support future program development and external fundraising.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (required).
• Experience starting, operating, advising, or supporting entrepreneurial ventures (required).

Qualifications

• Preferred experience in entrepreneurship education, start‑up mentoring, business development, or venture creation.
• Experience in customer discovery, prototype development, minimum viable product testing, or early‑stage business growth.
• Experience coaching or mentoring college students