Job Details
On behalf of our client, a widely known and respected mission based developer of Wisconsin centric economic opportunities, we are seeking a Vice President of Entrepreneurship & Innovation
to provide leadership, strategy and vision in the direction of state wide efforts that support:
- advance startups and emerging growth companies
- R&D support to commercialize activities
- grow early stage and venture investment in Wisconsin start-up businesses
- expand entrepreneurship opportunity for underserved individuals and communities.
As a member of the senior leadership team, this creative and results oriented individual will combine their entrepreneurial spirit and financial acumen with an ability to manage and cultivate relationships across a diverse business landscape. Characterized as a problem solver, our candidate of choice will possess robust leadership experience and exceptional interpersonal communication skills.
Role has remote flexibility for individuals residing within the state of Wisconsin.
Key priorities:
The VP will align activities to support the following primary roles:
- Provide a vision, strategy and management of programs and initiatives to support startups, emerging growth companies, and other entrepreneurs in the State of Wisconsin.
- Develop and implement innovative programs to increase R&D to commercialization, startup activity, enhanced business modeling for startup success, investor incentive programs and investment seed capital.
- Develop and direct an annual E&I operating and budget plan, timelines, program revisions or implementations, marketing vision and alignment and management of key partners.
- Develop and direct a plan promoting Wisconsin s entrepreneurial ecosystem and the State s and organizational supporting investments.
- Build strong relationships with state-wide organizations, the business and entrepreneurial community and collaborate with university and technical college entities.
- Lead, coach and support the Entrepreneurship & Innovations Team and oversee the Division s operations plan and budget.
The VP will spend a majority of their time in these activities:
- Evaluate and implement innovative entrepreneurial programs to best serve Wisconsin entrepreneurs.
- Monitor and report on existing E&I programs and refine programs to most effectively serve Wisconsin s entrepreneurs, would-be-entrepreneurs, and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
- Provide entrepreneurial and investment guidance to startups and emerging growth companies.
- Manage a pipeline and portfolio of companies utilizing organizations entrepreneurial programs and investment.
- Lead and manage a team of entrepreneurship and investment professionals.
- Collaborate with the university system, technical colleges, accelerators, incubators and other entrepreneurial support organizations to stimulate startup, emerging growth activity, and more inclusive access to entrepreneurship opportunity.
- Serve as the organization spokesperson for entrepreneurship and innovation; represent the organization in entrepreneurship, technology transfer, and innovation events.
- Maintain working knowledge of industry trends, targeted business assistance opportunities, and financing/incentive programs appropriate for business sectors served.
- Develop and implement yearly E&I operations plan, goals, and budget.
- Participate as a member of the Strategic Investment Steering Committee strategic planning, evaluation and implementation.
- Other duties as assigned.
Experience & Competencies:
- Degree in business or related field (post graduate degree preferred).
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in entrepreneurship, early-stage capital development, or innovation program management; minimum of five years in a supervisory or management role.
- Relevant work experience in business development with the ability to draw upon experience in advising and mentoring early-stage companies.
- Experience as an entrepreneur in one or more startup companies or senior executive in one or more high growth corporations is helpful.
Skills & talents:
- Demonstrated experience and knowledge of state of Wisconsin or federal resources to support entrepreneurship and innovation, or similar entrepreneurial and innovation initiatives.
- Ability to develop and lead enterprise-wide strategic and operational plans.
- Strong operational and project management focus.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Ability to mobilize and motivate a team of resources to solve problems.
- Demonstrated knowledge of early-stage development and funding of technology companies.
- Broad understanding of entrepreneurship and startup financing.
- Ability to develop cooperative, productive relationships with partner organizations.
- Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of individuals and groups.
- Ability to develop and manage an operating plan, budget, and performance metrics.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Salesforce.
International, national, and state-wide travel will occur. Travel is anticipated to include day and overnight travel.