Associate Director, Global Entrepreneurship

Uniglobalcareers; Boston, Northern (MA, KY); Hybrid; USD 76,000 - 108,000; Full time

Job summary

Northeastern University is building a global entrepreneurship ecosystem anchored by the 300 Mass Ave innovation hub in Boston. The Associate Director will shape strategy, lead cross-campus programs and deliver complex projects with senior stakeholders across Northeastern's global network.

Reporting to the Vice President, Global Entrepreneurship, this role blends strategic leadership with hands-on execution to establish 300 Mass Ave as a world-class entrepreneurship hub and strengthen

Qualifications

• Significant experience within entrepreneurship, innovation, venture creation, higher education or a related ecosystem.
• Experience leading complex strategic projects involving multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent relationship-building, communication and influencing skills.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with operational delivery.
• Commercial awareness and an entrepreneurial mindset.
• Confidence engaging with senior leaders, founders, investors and partners.
• Willingness to travel internationally.
• Founder, start-up or scale-up experience.
• Experience working with venture capital, accelerators or innovation organizations.
• Knowledge of experiential entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, coordination and execution of strategic initiatives to grow entrepreneurship across Northeastern.
• Translate strategic priorities into deliverable programs and coordinate activity across multiple campuses.
• Develop governance papers, reports, presentations and performance metrics.
• Coordinate cross-campus initiatives and strengthen collaboration.
• Identify opportunities to enhance entrepreneurship across Northeastern's global network.
• Lead development of 300 Mass Ave as Northeastern's flagship entrepreneurship hub and create an outstanding environment for founders, students, researchers, investors, alumni and partners.
• Support international visitors, corporate partners and senior delegations, and continually enhance the hub's experience and reputation.
• Develop strategic partnerships across industry, government and the entrepreneurial ecosystem and deliver entrepreneurship programs, competitions and initiatives.
• Provide leadership across the Global Entrepreneurship team and monitor KPIs for continuous improvement.

Skills

Entrepreneurship ecosystem experience

Strategic project leadership

Relationship building

Strategic-ops balance

Commercial mindset

Stakeholder engagement

Willingness to travel internationally

Founder/startup experience

Venture capital/accelerator knowledge

Experiential entrepreneurship

Job description

This employer operates 3 active branch campuses in 3 countries (since 2008)

Northeastern University is creating one of the world's most ambitious university entrepreneurship ecosystems. Anchored by the new 300 Mass Ave innovation hub in Boston and connected across Northeastern University's global campus network, Global Entrepreneurship brings together students, founders, researchers, investors, alumni and corporate partners to create new opportunities for innovation, venture creation and experiential learning.
Reporting directly to the Vice President, Global Entrepreneurship, the Associate Director will serve as a strategic partner responsible for helping shape and deliver Northeastern's global entrepreneurship agenda. Working across strategy, partnerships, ecosystem development, innovation programs and 300 Mass Ave, the role combines strategic leadership with hands‑on execution, ensuring ambitious ideas become measurable outcomes.
This is a highly collaborative leadership role requiring an entrepreneurial individual who is equally comfortable developing strategy, building relationships with senior stakeholders and delivering complex projects. The successful candidate will help establish 300 Mass Ave as a globally recognized center for innovation while strengthening entrepreneurship across Northeastern's international network.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Significant experience within entrepreneurship, innovation, venture creation, higher education or a related ecosystem.
• Experience leading complex strategic projects involving multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent relationship‑building, communication and influencing skills.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with operational delivery.
• Commercial awareness and an entrepreneurial mindset.
• Confidence engaging with senior leaders, founders, investors and partners.
• Willingness to travel internationally.
• Founder, start‑up or scale‑up experience.
• Experience working with venture capital, accelerators or innovation organizations.
• Knowledge of experiential entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems.

Personal Attributes

We are seeking an individual who is entrepreneurial, collaborative and driven by the opportunity to build something exceptional. The successful candidate will be comfortable working in a fast‑paced environment, leading through influence rather than hierarchy, and turning ambitious ideas into tangible outcomes. They will possess excellent judgement, a bias for action and a genuine passion for creating opportunities that help entrepreneurs, students and partners succeed.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES

Working closely with the Vice President, the Associate Director will lead the planning, coordination and execution of strategic initiatives that support the continued growth of entrepreneurship across Northeastern University. They will translate strategic priorities into deliverable programs, coordinate activity across multiple campuses and ensure projects are implemented effectively.

• Support delivery of the Global Entrepreneurship Strategy.
• Lead strategic projects from concept through implementation.
• Develop governance papers, reports, presentations and performance metrics.
• Coordinate cross‑campus initiatives and strengthen collaboration.
• Identify opportunities to enhance entrepreneurship across Northeastern's global network.

The Associate Director will play a leading role in developing and growing 300 Mass Ave as Northeastern's flagship entrepreneurship hub. Working alongside the Hub Operations Administrator, they will help create an outstanding environment for founders, students, researchers, investors, alumni and corporate partners while ensuring programs and activities operate to the highest standard.

• Support the strategic development and operational leadership of 300 Mass Ave.
• Develop new entrepreneurship programs and initiatives.
• Coordinate founder engagement and community activity.
• Support international visitors, corporate partners and senior delegations.
• Continually enhance the experience and reputation of the Hub.

Partnerships, Programs & Ecosystem Development

The Associate Director will help develop relationships that expand opportunities for students, founders and the wider Northeastern community. They will work with corporations, investors, accelerators, government organizations and innovation partners to create new collaborations while leading the delivery of flagship entrepreneurship programs and events.

• Develop strategic partnerships across industry, government and the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
• Support partnership negotiations and relationship management.
• Deliver entrepreneurship programs, competitions and innovation initiatives.
• Coordinate international events and ecosystem engagement.Represent Northeastern at meetings, conferences and external events.

Leadership, Operations & Communications

The Associate Director will provide leadership across the Global Entrepreneurship team, ensuring projects are delivered effectively and that operational excellence underpins every activity. They will prepare strategic communications, monitor performance and help position Northeastern as one of the world's leading entrepreneurial universities.

• Work collaboratively across colleges and campuses to deliver shared objectives.
• Prepare executive reports, presentations and strategic briefings.
• Support marketing, communications and impact reporting.
• Monitor KPIs and drive continuous improvement.
• Act as a trusted strategic partner to the Vice President, Global Entrepreneurship.

Position Type

General Administration

About the Opportunity

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.

Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Compensation Grade/Pay Type:

110S

Expected Hiring Range:

$76,335.00 - $107,823.75

With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.