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Why Rensselaer? Our dynamic global community of changemakers includes some of the world’s leading researchers, students, alumni, and faculty who ask the important questions and devise the scientific and technological innovations that make the world a better place for all of humanity. Nestled on a beautiful 275-acre campus in upstate NY, Rensselaer is home to five schools, 32 research centers, three makerspaces, an observatory, and one of the world’s fastest supercomputers. 

Rensselaer faculty and alumni include more than 145 National Academy members, six members of the National Inventors Hall of Fame, six National Medal of Technology winners, five National Medal of Science winners, three astronauts, and a Nobel Prize winner in Physics. With nearly 200 years of experience advancing scientific and technological knowledge, Rensselaer remains focused on addressing global challenges with a spirit of ingenuity and collaboration. To learn more, please visit www.rpi.edu.

Are you ready to change the world? Apply now!

Job Summary

The Director of the Severino Center for Technological Entrepreneurship (the “Severino Center”) will work with the Assistant Vice President, RPIVentures (“RPIV”) and the Vice President, Office of Strategic Alliances and Translation (“OSAT”) in shaping and advancing the entrepreneurial ecosystem at RPI and the region. In collaboration with RPIV, they will develop a strategic vision for the Severino Center, aligning it with the Institute’s priorities and entrepreneurship programs. This includes fostering innovation, promoting collaboration, and ensuring RPI’s leadership in regional entrepreneurship and innovation. The Director will actively engage with the Deans of the School of Engineering and the Lally School of Management regarding the development of a modern entrepreneurship curriculum. They will also collaborate with faculty, students, industry partners, and community organizations to drive initiatives that support startups, technology transfer, and commercialization. Additionally, the Director will oversee program development, mentorship, and outreach efforts to empower aspiring entrepreneurs and foster a culture of innovation.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Business or related field
• 10 years experience or more in related field. Experience is to include:
  • Familiarity with the regional, state, and federal entrepreneurship ecosystem.
  • Possess a deep understanding of entrepreneurship theory and practice
  • Experience launching and scaling new ventures from the ground up
  • Demonstrated ability to promote diversity and inclusion by supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs

Preferred Qualifications

Representative Duties

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Severino Center, and manage resources to achieve the Severino Center’s goals;
• Provide coaching, mentorship, guidance, and support to entrepreneurs;
• Represent Rensselaer and its entrepreneurial mission to various stakeholders (e.g., senior executives in the private sector, the investor community, alumni, and government entities and officials);
• Create entrepreneurship-related curricula and educational programs in partnership with the Deans of the Rensselaer's five (5) schoos, especially the School of Engineering and the Lally School of Management
• Collaborate with other OSAT constituencies and Institute Advancement to connect and actively engage with alumni in entrepreneurship activities on campus, as well as promote their efforts
• Support the creation and operationalization of an Institute-managed pre-venture fund designed to enable student- and faculty-led startups, including by assisting with fundraising and identifying prospective grantees
• Identify and apply for grant opportunities that would further the Severino Center’s mission, and ensure compliance with all grant reporting requirements
• Supervise the associate program director, and other Severino Center staff and faculty
• Engage with the broader startup community through outreach events, workshops, and partnerships
• Oversee promotion of the Severino Center’s entrepreneurship programs through social media and other media; and Collaborate with Rensselaer's Center for Career and Professional Development and external stakeholders to facilitate entrepreneurship internships and coops, and facilitate placement of students into early-stage ventures

Travel

Driving

Driving a personal vehicle for non-passenger use

Starting Salary/Rate

Expected hiring range: $160,000-$200,000. 

Pay transparency disclosure: The selected candidate’s salary will be determined based on factors that include the available budget, internal equity, and the final candidate’s qualifications, experience, education and other job-related credentials. This hiring range is provided as Rensselaer’s good faith estimate of the expected hiring range at the time of posting.

Application instructions

Follow the on-screen prompts to create a brief online profile. Please be ready to upload your resume and cover letter.

If you need assistance with the online application process, please contact careers@rpi.edu.

Applications that are received by March 22, 2024 will receive first consideration. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Rensselaer is committed to providing a safe and healthy living, learning, and working environment for its faculty, staff and students.  As such, we strongly recommend that faculty, staff and students obtain a COVID-19 vaccination and remain current with available boosters to protect themselves, as well as to protect vulnerable members of the community.

Total Compensation and Benefits Information

Rensselaer’s Total Compensation Program is designed to provide stable pay growth, a comprehensive and affordable benefits package, and a comprehensive and affordable retiree medical and prescription plan. Rensselaer is recognized locally and nationally for the depth and breadth of its compensation and benefits program. Our goal is to provide you and your family with a comprehensive health and welfare program as an umbrella of financial security and protection during your employment. For more information, please visit Benefits | Human Resources (rpi.edu).

We welcome candidates who will bring diverse cultural, ethnic, national and international perspectives to Rensselaer’s work and campus communities.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity, Race/Gender/Veterans/Disability Employer.