Executive Director, The Arthur M. Blank Center for Entrepreneurship

The Executive Director of The Blank Center is responsible for working with the Babson community to successfully grow and scale the Center. The Executive Director will work with the leadership of Babson College, Babson faculty, staff, students, alums, advisory board members, and, potentially, non-Babson faculty who affiliate with the Center, and other stakeholders to coordinate all activities of the Center. The Executive Director will serve as a global ambassador for the Center and represent the Blank Center externally.

At Babson, we believe entrepreneurship is core to humanity. The Arthur M. Blank Center for Entrepreneurship (AMBCE) accelerates new ventures of all kinds by providing Babson’s emerging entrepreneurs access to the opportunities, community, and critical resources that they need. The Blank Center ignites the exchange of innovative ideas that will shape the future of entrepreneurship through research and thought leadership.
The Arthur M. Blank Center for Entrepreneurship focuses on expanding the practice of entrepreneurship through innovative co-curricular programs and global collaborative research initiatives that inspire and inform Entrepreneurial Thought and Action®. It is the hub of startup activity at Babson for all students and alumni. Through the Butler Launch Pad, Summer Venture Program and Signature events (such as Rocket Pitch and BETA Challenge), the Center works to interconnect the Entrepreneurship Division faculty and curriculum with important co-curricular activities to create a transformative experience for students. It is also the home for major research projects and academic thought leadership on entrepreneurship including the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) and the Babson College Entrepreneurship Research Conference (BCERC).

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Provides strategic direction and leadership towards the achievement of the Center’s mission and goals. Oversees the day to day operations of the Center, leads the development and delivery of signature programs, develops and maintains a world-class advisory board, manages the budget, works towards financial sustainability through revenue generation and fundraising efforts, anticipates problems and issues and initiates appropriate action without supervision.

Creates, leads, and maintains a world-class advisory board to support the development and growth of the Center; includes individuals from a variety of backgrounds and fields including impactful alumni, global business leaders, experts in healthcare, life sciences and entrepreneurship, and other appropriate stakeholders that act as a strategic sounding board and guidance provider for the Center.

Partners with appropriate Babson College units (i.e., President’s Office, Academic Affairs, Division Chairs, Undergraduate School, Graduate School, Executive Education, Advancement, College Marketing) to advance shared objectives, amplify Babson’s curriculum and advance strategic priorities.

Works closely with the Advancement team to identify and pursue funding opportunities, and continuously create new ways to engage alumni, parents, sponsors, foundations, and other key stakeholders to help drive giving to the Center. Meets with high-level donors, creates programs for advancement purposes, and develops key relationships to optimize annual giving plans with the goal of having all programming, research, and signature events endowed.

Responsible for ensuring revenue generation and funding sources exceed Center expenses and costs, making the Center self-sustainable.

Works closely with the Faculty Chair and Academic Affairs to identify and pursue grant opportunities that support the Blank Center.

Designs, develops, and delivers effective and engaging programs, courses, sessions, etc. designed by the Blank Center for students, faculty, staff, alums and external partners. This includes partnering with faculty on multidisciplinary research into all aspects of entrepreneurship; creating case studies using real-world examples; creating experiential learning opportunities that can be incorporated into the curriculum and co-curricular programs, activities, and events; teaching, coaching, and serving as the Director of these programs.

Serves as the “voice” of the Blank Center within the internal Babson community and other divisions. Serves as the spokesperson for the Center (and the College as necessary) in external speaking engagements, media relations, public settings, meetings, conferences, and other events where the Blank Center is expected to take a leadership role and share its perspective and best practices with the wider entrepreneurial leadership community.

Collaborates with College Marketing to ensure that communication objectives are reached and appropriate goals for awareness and engagement are met.

Identifies, recruits, and leve