Assistant Director, Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Colgate University; New York (NY); On-site; USD 63,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free parking

Gym discounts

Bookstore savings

Athletic tickets

Facility access

Job summary

Colgate University seeks an Assistant Director for Entrepreneurship and Innovation to develop hands-on programs and support student ventures on campus. You will report to the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation and work with students, alumni, and staff across departments.

The role includes coordinating events, managing multiple initiatives, and ensuring program success while advancing a collaborative campus culture of creativity and enterprise.

Qualifications

• 1-3 years of professional experience in project management, event planning, student services, volunteer management, or related fields.
• Ability to work collegially with students, alumni, parents, staff and faculty.
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented, adaptable, with changing priorities.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Proven ability to work well in a team.
• Experience or aptitude for measuring success with data and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Manage key E&I programs and initiatives including venture incubator, summer accelerator, internship program, and pre-orientation.
• Oversee project management, coordinate event logistics, and serve as on-site point person for programs and events.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects with clear communication and alignment to institutional goals.
• Identify opportunities to improve program efficiency, impact, and scalability.
• Coordinate program communications with participants and volunteers.
• Build relationships with students and volunteers and support engagement efforts.
• Develop and implement assessment strategies linking priorities to institutional goals.
• Coordinate travel and housing for speakers, mentors, and students.

Skills

Project management

Event planning

Student services

Volunteer management

Communication

Data reporting

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Certifications

Posting Details

Position Information

Job Category Professional/Administrative

Position Title Assistant Director, Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Full Time/Part Time Full Time

Division Dean of the Faculty

Department Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Work Arrangement type On-Site (Hamilton, NY) – expected to work fully at the designated campus/office location.

Hiring Wage/Salary Range $62,500-$65,000

Professional Experience/ Qualifications

• A minimum of 1-3 years of professional experience in project management, event planning, student services, volunteer management, and/or related fields.


• Must be able to work collegially and effectively with a diverse group of students, alumni, parents, staff, and faculty on a daily basis.


• Self-motivated, detail-oriented, adaptable, and capable of managing evolving priorities effectively.


• Demonstrated effective organizational and communication skills.


• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team.


• Experience or aptitude for measuring success and reporting on programs with quantitative and qualitative data.

Preferred Qualifications

Professional and/or volunteer experience with student engagement in a higher education setting and/or with venture/startup development.

Education

A Bachelor’s degree or a combination of education and experience from which comparable skills are gained is required.

Offer Determination

When extending an offer, Colgate University considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations.

Work visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Benefits

Colgate University offers a competitive benefits package, with most benefits effective on the date of hire. Highlights include: medical, dental, vision, retirement contributions, paid time off, paid family leave, health & wellness, continuing education and professional development. We also offer unique perks, such as free parking, gym discounts, bookstore savings, athletic tickets, and access to cultural and recreational facilities. Explore the full benefits package on our Benefits page .

Department Statement

The assistant director for entrepreneurship and innovation will develop and implement programs and initiatives that provide students with hands-on experience building entrepreneurial ventures and developing professional skills. Reporting into the director of entrepreneurship and innovation, the assistant director will support the director and the entrepreneur in residence in the successful development and execution of E&I programs. A unit within the Division of the Provost and Dean, the mission of the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation is to develop an inclusive community of creators, changemakers, and problem solvers.

Accountabilities

Program and Project Management:

• Manage key E&I programs and initiatives, including venture incubator, summer accelerator, internship program, and pre-orientation, under direction of director and entrepreneur in residence.


• Oversee project management, coordinate event logistics, and serve as on-site point person for programs and events.


• Manage multiple concurrent projects and events, ensuring timely execution, effective delegation, clear communication, and alignment with office and institutional goals.


• Identify opportunities to improve program efficiency, scalability, measurable impact, and long-term effectiveness.

Communications And Outreach:

• Coordinate program-related communications with participants and volunteers.


• Build and maintain relationships with students and volunteers, supporting them at all stages of their engagement with E&I.


• Collaborate closely with the associate director on student outreach and recruitment, representing the office during recruitment events and serving as an ambassador for programs

Data, Reporting, And Assessment:

• Manage systems and processes for participant engagement, tracking, and communication.


• Maintain up-to-date information about volunteers and participants; administer reporting and data syncing processes.


• Develop and implement assessment strategies that connect program priorities and outcomes to broader program and institutional goals.

Program Administration And Operations:

• Manage and administer venture grant funding processes.


• Coordinate travel and housing for speakers, mentors, and students.


• Coordinate program and office purchases, invoices, purchase orders, and expense reports, following University procedures.

This position requires on-campus work on eight Saturdays during the academic year, monthly from September through April.

Posting Detail Information

Requisition Number 2026S065Posting

Temporary No

Work Schedule

Job Open Date 09/24/2026

Job Close Date

Open Until Filled No

Special Instructions Summary

EEO Statement

The University recognizes that equal employment opportunity can only be achieved through demonstrated leadership. It is the Policy of the University to recruit, employ, retain, promote, and train employees on the basis of skills and experience, capacity to do the job, and valid job qualifications without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable local, state or federal laws.

Clery Act

CAMPUS CRIME REPORTING AND STATISTICS

The Department of Campus Safety will provide upon request a copy of Colgate's Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. This report includes statistics as reported to the United States Department of Education for the previous three years concerning reported: 1. crimes that occurred on-campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Colgate University; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus and 2. fires that occurred in student housing facilities. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security and fire safety, such as policies concerning sexual assault, life safety systems, and other related matters. You may access the report from the Clery Compliance web page at: https://www.colgate.edu/about/offices-centers-institutes/dean-college/campus-safety-staff/clery-compliance . Printed copies of this report may be obtained upon request from the Department of Campus Safety via e-mail at [e-mail] .