Job Description Department: Halloran Lab For Entrepreneurship Pay Rate Type: Salary Employee Type: Job Summary: The Halloran Lab for Entrepreneurship at Colby College is seeking a strategic and entrepreneurial leader to serve as the Deputy Director, Strategic initiatives and Venture Support. This role will lead curricular and co-curricular entrepreneurship initiatives, oversee venture support programs, and provide mentorship and advising for student entrepreneurs. Reporting to the director of the Lab, the deputy director will help establish Colby as a nationally recognized center of excellence in innovation and entrepreneurship. The mission of the Lab is to provide distinctive opportunities and experiences for understanding and applying the principles of innovation and entrepreneurship through entrepreneurship education and training programs, funding for students to start commercial and social enterprises and initiatives, and mentorship through a dedicated entrepreneurship network. The Lab will offer a comprehensive suite of training and practical opportunities aimed at preparing Colby students to be effective innovators and entrepreneurs, whether they are creating dynamic new business ventures or improving existing organizations or programs. The successful candidate will have a deep understanding of an institution like Colby, a deep sympathy for the needs of faculty, students, and staff, and an interest in meeting the Lab’s core goals of establishing a first-of-its-kind Lab in Maine for innovation and entrepreneurship at a liberal arts college. The deputy director will be responsible for developing and enhancing entrepreneurship education at Colby, collaborating with faculty to integrate entrepreneurship into the curriculum, and designing experiential learning opportunities. This individual will also manage entrepreneurial workshops, mentorship networks, and student venture programs to ensure students gain real-world entrepreneurial experience. The ideal candidate will have experience in entrepreneurship education, startup ecosystems, and curriculum design and be passionate about guiding and inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs. The deputy director is an essential member of the Lab. This position offers a unique opportunity to influence change and growth across the College and beyond. Essential Functions and Responsibilities To perform successfully in this position, an individual must be able to perform essential duties satisfactorily as well as possess education/experience, employ the knowledge, skills, and abilities as listed in representative fashion. Colby College actively supports the Americans with Disabilities Act and will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. This listing of essential duties is not all-inclusive, but representative; other duties may be assigned. . Curricular & Experiential Learning Development Lead efforts to integrate entrepreneurship into Colby’s academic curriculum, working closely with faculty across disciplines. Develop and implement experiential learning opportunities, such as venture practicums, startup case studies, and project-based coursework. Design and deliver entrepreneurship workshops, bootcamps, and speaker series to supplement curricular offerings. Create educational content, resources, and toolkits that enhance students’ understanding of startup development, innovation frameworks, and business strategy. Develop cross-campus partnerships to embed entrepreneurial thinking into Colby’s broader academic ecosystem. Venture Support & Mentorship Serve as lead mentor and advisor for students and alumni exploring startup ventures, providing guidance on business models, customer validation, and strategic planning. Oversee and enhance the Ideate & Explore and the Compagna-Sennett Iterate & Expand Grant programs, supporting students in market research, lean canvas development, venture validation, MVP design, and investor pitch deck preparation. Expand the Colby Halloran Lab Startup Mentor Network (CHaMP), connecting student founders with experienced entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and Colby alumni. Develop structured entrepreneurial office hours, ensuring students have access to high-quality startup advising and industry connections. Strengthen partnerships with accelerators, incubators, and industry experts to provide additional resources for student ventures. Program Leadership & Execution Work with the director to guide, implement, and evolve the Lab’s operating and strategic plans Provide leadership, strategic planning, and implementation in alignment with the vision and mission of the Lab Serve on campus-wide committees and working groups as needed Design and manage curricular and co-curricular entrepreneurial programming, including full semester and Jan Plan courses, innovation challenges, pitch competitions, and student venture showcases. Oversee Entrepreneurs in Residence (EIRs) and student interns, ensuring alignment with Colby’s entrepreneurial mission. Expand experiential learning opportunities, such as curated industry visits and treks, networking events, and startup shadowing and internship experiences. Evaluate program impact and recommend improvements to strengthen student engagement and startup outcomes. Perform additional duties as assigned; duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice Operational & Administrative Responsibilities Manage venture support operations, ensuring efficient delivery of mentorship, startup advising, and educational programs. Track and report key metrics on program participation, venture progress, and student outcomes. Collaborate with faculty and Colby’s broader innovation ecosystem to integrate entrepreneurship into the student experience. Assist with branding and outreach efforts to increase visibility of Halloran Lab programs. Position Qualifications Minimum Qualifications: Education and/or experience: Advanced degree (MBA, MS, or equivalent) and at least 7 years of experience in entrepreneurship education, venture development, or innovation-focused roles. Experience in curriculum design and experiential learning, with a track record of integrating entrepreneurship into academic programs. Strong background in startup ecosystems, with experience mentoring founders or working in accelerators/incubators. Proven ability to advise students on venture development, business modeling, and strategic planning. Hands-on startup experience, either as a founder or early-stage team member. Familiarity with accelerator models, venture scaling, and best practices for early-stage startups. Strong network within the startup ecosystem, with connections to founders, investors, and industry experts. Experience working with higher education entrepreneurship programs, business incubators, or venture accelerators. Knowledge of best practices for early-stage company development and venture building. Excellent program and project management skills, including strategy execution, operations, and program evaluation. Strong communication skills, with the ability to collaborate with students, faculty, alumni, and external partners. Ability to lead teams, including student workers, mentors, and Entrepreneurs-in-Residence. Technologically proficient, with experience using Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and project management tools. Willingness to work evenings, weekends, and travel as needed for events and networking opportunities. Proven experience with budget management, event planning and facilities management, program development and implementation, and timeline management Demonstrated ability to multitask and be organized in a fast-paced working environment Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including strong relationship building skills and ability to work with people from all levels Deep knowledge of higher education standards and practices Innovative approach to solving problems Excellent organizational and project development skills Experience with or interest in strategic planning Must be flexible, show initiative, and have a results-driven philosophy Attention to detail and accuracy are critical Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills Ability to handle confidential information tactfully Strong aptitude for collaborating and creating with others Physical/Mental Demands The physical demands and work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this position and/or may be encountered while performing essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. To successfully perform the essential functions of this position, an employee must be able to maintain appropriate confidentiality with regard to employee data, documents, issues, etc., and respect privacy needs of employees and past employees with regard to the same. The ability to comply with highly inflexible deadlines is required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position; there will be multiple occurrences of sudden, urgent task completion required. There may be occurrences of employees, past employees, members of the general public, and others who express opinions, may exhibit strong emotions, which will require the employee to interact professionally, diplomatically, and appropriately in such situations. While performing the essential duties of this position, an employee would frequently be required to move around the office space as well as within hallways, meeting rooms, and other parts of the campus facilities. There may be multiple/daily instances of prolonged personal computer use which would include keyboard and/or mouse usage as well as viewing a computer monitor. An employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds to perform essential position functions. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus. The overall work environment requires the mental ability to shift focus quickly due to interruptions; an employee must be able to mentally track multiple projects and tasks as well. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate; however, there may be unexpected instances of somewhat loud sounds. To Apply: Interested candidates should apply electronically by clicking the “Apply Now” button on the Colby College website. Please upload a cover letter and resume to your application. Founded in 1813, Colby is one of America’s most selective colleges. Serving only undergraduates, Colby’s rigorous academic program is rooted in deep exploration of ideas and close interaction with world-class faculty scholars. Students pursue intellectual passions, choosing among 58 majors or developing their own. Independent and collaborative research, study abroad, and internships offer robust opportunities to prepare students for postgraduate success. Colby is home to a community of more than 2,200 dedicated and diverse students from around the globe. Its Maine location provides easy access to world-class research institutions and civic engagement experiences. In a period of fast-paced progress, Colby is building on its strong foundation while remaining committed to excellence, to supporting students and faculty at the highest levels, and to the College’s deep liberal arts traditions. This new chapter includes the creation of innovative academic initiatives and partnerships, strengthening the connections between the liberal arts and the professional world, revitalizing downtown Waterville, and pursuing significant capital projects for performing arts and athletics. For more information about the College, please visit our web site: www.colby.edu.
