Director of ERIC

Elizabeth City State University; Elizabeth City (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Elizabeth City State University seeks a strategic leader to serve as Director of the Entrepreneurship Research and Incubation Center (ERIC). The Director will drive the center’s mission by building funding streams, expanding signature programs, and managing the Entrepreneur in Residence program, reporting to the Dean of the School of Business, Health & Applied Sciences.

The role requires or targets leadership, relationship-building, and strong operational expertise, with responsibility for

Qualifications

• Master’s degree required in Business, Entrepreneurship, Higher Education Administration, Operations Management, or related field
• Proven ability to manage complex projects and multiple stakeholders while maintaining high standards of quality and timeliness. Experience supervising staff, managing budgets, and building efficient systems.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in higher education, entrepreneurship, innovation-driven organizations, or related settings.
• Experience managing or leading programming initiatives in an educational or innovation setting.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead strategically, execute operationally, and pivot based on evolving opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for the Entrepreneurship Research and Incubation Center (ERIC).
• Build sustainable funding streams and manage center programming.
• Launch and manage an Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) program.
• Support the center’s Advisory Board and expand its partnerships.
• Elevate the Center’s profile and foster campus-wide culture of entrepreneurship.
• Collaborate across university departments to align with strategic priorities.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Program development

Communication and relationship

Financial management

Project management

Assessment and analytics

Collaboration and adaptability

Education

Master’s degree

Job description

Posting Details

Posting Summary

Position Number 6086-0000-0004-089

Classification Title Director of ERIC

Working Title Director of the Entrepreneurship Research and Incubation Center (ERIC)

Division Academic Affairs

Department/Unit Department of Business, Accounting, and Sport Management

Section Department of Business, Accounting, and Sport Management (section)

Primary Purpose Of Organizational Unit

The primary purpose of the Entrepreneurship Research and Incubation Center ( ERIC ) within the School of Business, Health, and Applied Sciences is to advance entrepreneurship, innovation, applied research, and economic development by providing students, faculty, entrepreneurs, and community partners with the resources, education, mentorship, and support necessary to transform innovative ideas into viable and sustainable enterprises.

ERIC serves as a collaborative hub that connects academic learning with real-world entrepreneurial experiences. The Center promotes an entrepreneurial mindset through business incubation, research, experiential learning, technical assistance, mentorship, workshops, and strategic partnerships with businesses, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and regional economic-development partners.

Through its programs and initiatives, ERIC supports the development of student and community entrepreneurs, strengthens small and emerging businesses, encourages commercialization and innovation, and creates opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration across business, health, science, technology, and other applied disciplines.

Ultimately, the Center contributes to the University’s mission by preparing students for leadership and entrepreneurship, supporting workforce and business development, fostering innovation, and strengthening the economic vitality of northeastern North Carolina and the broader region.

Description Of Work

Elizabeth City State University seeks a strategic leader, experienced relationship builder with strong operational expertise to serve as Director of the Entrepreneurship Research and Incubation Center, beginning October 1, 2026. The Director serves as the strategic and operational leader of the Center, advancing its mission to cultivate entrepreneurial thinking, innovation, and student-centered experiential learning across the university. Reporting to the Dean of the School of Business, Health & Applied Sciences, the Director translates vision into action by building sustainable funding streams, strengthening signature programming, launching and managing an Entrepreneur in Residence ( EIR ) program, and supporting the center’s Advisory Board.

The Director will elevate the Center’s profile, expand its resources, and foster a campus-wide culture of entrepreneurship aligned with the University’s strategic priorities, and commitment to inclusive, student-centered excellence.

Competencies/Knowledge Skills, And Abilities Required In This Position

• Leadership and Strategic Planning: Ability to provide strategic direction, manage daily operations, develop programs, and implement initiatives that support the Center’s mission and university goals.
• Program Development and Management: Knowledge of entrepreneurship, innovation, business incubation, and experiential learning. Ability to develop, coordinate, and evaluate programs that support student and business development.
• Communication and Relationship Building: Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills. Ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships with faculty, students, entrepreneurs, donors, and community stakeholders.
• Financial and Resource Management: Knowledge of budgeting, fundraising, resource development, and financial management practices to support organizational sustainability.
• Project Management and Organizational Skills: Ability to manage multiple projects, establish priorities, meet deadlines, and develop efficient operational processes.
• Assessment and Analytical Skills: Ability to collect and analyze data, measure program outcomes, prepare reports, and use findings to improve program effectiveness.
• Collaboration and Adaptability: Ability to work effectively across university departments, lead collaborative initiatives, solve problems, and respond to changing organizational needs.

Minimum Training And Experience

• Master’s degree required in Business, Entrepreneurship, Higher Education Administration, Operations Management, or related field
• Proven ability to manage complex projects and multiple stakeholders while maintaining high standards of quality and timeliness. Experience supervising staff, managing budgets, and building efficient systems.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in higher education, entrepreneurship, innovation-driven organizations, or related settings.
• Experience managing or leading programming initiatives in an educational or innovation setting.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead strategically, execute operationally, and pivot based on evolving opportunities.

Management Preferences

Terminal degree in Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Higher Education, or related field. Experience working with advisory boards or governance bodies.

Familiarity with impact dashboards or venture tracking tools.

Experience collaborating with university advancement teams.

License Or Certification Required By Statute Or Regulation

Management Preferences

Position Recruitment Range

Position Category Staff

Position Status Permanent Full Time

FLSA Exempt

EHRA OSHR Statement

This position is Exempt from the State Human Resources Act.

AA/EEO Statement

Elizabeth City State University is an Affinitive Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. The University does not discriminate in access to its educational programs and activities, or with respect to hiring or the terms and conditions of employment, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity and expression, political affiliation, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information or sexual orientation.

Background Check Statement

Any offer of employment to a successful candidate will be conditioned upon the University’s receipt of a satisfactory criminal background report.

Eligibility for Employment

You must complete and submit an electronic application for employment to be considered. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing an electronic application. Applicants seeking Veteran’s Preference must attach a DD 214 form. Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty with your application during the process of applying to the job posting. Final candidates are subject to criminal and sex offender background checks. Elizabeth City State University State University is an Equal Opportunity and Affinitive Action Employer. Elizabeth City State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. State University is an Equal Opportunity and Affinite Action Employer.