Job Description Summary
The Bentley Next Gen Social Innovation Incubator is a brand new venture set to launch in September 2024. This Incubator has been created to promote the economic development of the Greater Waltham area by supporting social entrepreneurs as they develop new social enterprises. The first year of this initiative is funded by a Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) grant, and is supported in partnership with the City of Waltham. The Incubator will be run through the Bentley Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Center (BSLCE), which boasts a team of 8 professional staff, 120+ student staff, over 125 faculty partners, and nearly 100 community partners.
The Associate Director will report to the Director of the Bentley Service-Learning and Civic Center (BSLCE) and will be responsible for overseeing faculty-led workshops, developing relationships with the Greater Waltham corporate community, liaising with leaders of the broader national/international social entrepreneurship movement, and working with local experts in the incubation arc of each social enterprise. The Associate Director will also help to manage the Assistant Director and will help to lead various engagement opportunities between the Social Innovation Incubator and the Bentley community.
PLEASE NOTE:
This is an exciting position to begin on or before September 3, 2024. This is currently a one-year grant funded position but with strong likelihood for renewal in future years.
Essential Duties
- Responsible for creating and nurturing an innovative and productive community-based space.
- Oversee, in coordination with the Director, a process through which social entrepreneurs can move from idea to creation of a full business plan to funding pitch and hopeful launch.
- Coordinate faculty-led and community expert-led workshops in the Incubator space to engage local social entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, business for good for-profit leaders, and the local innovation community in developing and furthering skills in the sector.
- Develop, in coordination with the Director, a cohort of Bentley faculty and local experts who can be brought in throughout the incubation process to provide expert advice and skill to burgeoning social entrepreneurs as they develop their business plans.
- Liaise with the BSLCE team, key stakeholders in the City of Waltham, local and national funders, and local, regional, and national social entrepreneurs to help create the Next Gen Social Innovation Incubator through a community-based, multi-stakeholder model.
- Be a contributing and integrated member of the BSLCE team, including participating in regular staff meetings and Center events, and working with the Center’s Director in liaising with the other innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives at Bentley.
- Help manage, resource, and properly utilize the skills of Bentley undergraduate and graduate students, including working with the BSLCE Associate Director of Academic Programs and the Senior Associate Director to identify and help build academic service-learning opportunities.
- Maintain oversight, along with the Senior Associate Director and the Director, of the CDS grant and budget.
- Help to manage and oversee the Assistant Director of the Social Innovation Incubator, including in overseeing the development of the physical space, programs, and the involvement of Bentley students, staff, and faculty.
Minimum Qualifications
- BA or BS and minimum of 5 years of related experience.
- Skill and experience in developing successful business plans, with preference for experience in developing business plans in the social sector.
- 2-3 years of experience working with community agencies and/or student populations, including working with diverse populations.
- Ability to work across multiple stakeholder constituencies and bringing these together in managing a project.
- Strong attention to detail, excellent communication skills, ability to navigate relationships in both a campus setting and in the City of Waltham.
- Sophisticated skill in presenting outcomes to larger audiences, including excellent oral and written skills.
- A deep spirit of innovation, social entrepreneurship, and a passion to help in the creation process of businesses for the greater good.
- Strong structural analysis, social issue knowledge, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) background.
- An integrative and holistic approach to developing social impact in the businesses we will be working with.
- Positive attitude, great energy for the work, willingness to work longer hours during peak times of the semester and incubation process.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience engaging with the business, banking, and social investment sectors to identify funding streams, both for the future social enterprises and for the Next Gen Social Innovation Incubator.
- Strong ability or fluency in Spanish.
- Experience working for or developing a social enterprise or startup.
- Experience leveraging technology to drive social impact and organizational success.
- Experience, networks, and/or civic and business community connections in the Greater Waltham area.
- Proficient in use of PC-based computer programs including, Microsoft Office, Canva, and Adobe.
Work Environment
- This is an in-person position and the BSLCE is a fast-paced, energetic, innovative, fun office environment.
- Balancing focused, productive work with regular engagement of multiple stakeholder constituencies.
- Personal vehicle is required for trips between Bentley and the Incubator.
- Position requires some minimal physical labor, such as moving chairs for events.
- Position requires some work during evenings and weekends.
- Physical skills required of this position include ability to use various technology, ability to help move furniture in the Incubator’s flex space, and occasional longer hours.
- Ability to drive and access to a vehicle are necessary.
Bentley University requires references checks and may conduct other pre-employment screening.
DIVERSITY STATEMENT
Bentley University strives to create a campus community that welcomes the exchange of ideas, and fosters a culture that values differences and views them as a strength in our community.
Bentley University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, building strength through diversity. The University is committed to building a community of talented students, faculty and staff who reflect the diversity of global business. We strongly encourage applications from persons from underrepresented groups, individuals with disabilities, covered veterans and those with diverse experiences and backgrounds.
PI243138575
