Director of Health Ventures

Job Title: Director of Health Ventures

Reporting Relationship: Vice President for Learner Success & Regional Workforce Engagement

Unit: National & Global

Department: Regional Ventures & Operations

Campus Location: Fort Wayne Education Center, Fort Wayne, IN

Summary of Position:    IWU is launching an innovative and unique Health Hub focused at the intersection of integrative health education, health coaching, and integrative health services delivered directly to individuals and businesses in Northeast Indiana. The Director of Venture Development will serve as the local leader for the Fort Wayne Health Hub, spearheading these emerging endeavors to address regional needs through strong community and academic partnerships. This dynamic role involves establishing new programming, driving student enrollment growth, and building or attracting businesses focused on integrative health. The ideal candidate will lead internal project development and external engagement, pairing integrative health, small business start-up, and higher education expertise with community needs to create innovative, learning-based ventures and regional pipelines into onsite, hybrid, and online academic programs. This is an entrepreneurial position, with a sharp focus on bringing to life the vision and building sustainable, profitable enterprises.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Entrepreneurial Vision and Execution of Small Business Start-Ups
  • Develop current Health Hub service ideas into independent, self-sustaining, and profitable enterprises
  • Explore and cultivate venture and partnership opportunities in the region
  • Serve as the site leader for regional ventures, responsible for developing and growing new initiatives
  • Build strategic community presence and partnerships with city, region, and state entities
  • Organize local events to drive program awareness and cultivate a learning environment 
• Project Development and Management
  • Collaborate with internal and external partners to shape potential venture and learning opportunities
  • Develop business cases for new project pilots using intuition and data
  • Provide agile project leadership for new regional initiatives
  • Coordinate cross-departmental efforts to launch ventures and drive enrollment
  • Execute novel ideas quickly and with excellence 
• Community Engagement and Partnership Building
  • Cultivate relationships with influential alumni and community leaders to further the Health Hub vision, particularly by assessing needs, building business pipelines, and generating income for the center
  • Convene local events and opportunities to establish the education center as a regional learning hub 
• Administrative Leadership
  • Support research and development grants for funding regional initiatives
  • Manage the region’s venture operating budget including the income target goals (i.e., set and achieve goals)
  • Conduct needs assessments and data analysis for continuous improvement of regional efforts
  • Travel to Indianapolis monthly for ventures collaboration meetings
  • Uphold the University's Christ-centered mission in all interactions 

Qualifications: According to Indiana Wesleyan University employment policy all employees must possess a strong Christian commitment and adhere to the standards outlined in the IWU Community Lifestyle Statement.

Education

• Bachelor's degree required, Master's degree preferred

Experience

• Proven track record in executing complex programs with multiple constituents
• Experience in project management and developing new initiatives
• Demonstrated success in running a small business preferred
• Demonstrated success in building partnerships and working with diverse stakeholders
• Strong background in oral, written, and interpersonal communication
• Experience in health, nursing, health or life coaching, or related fields (preferred)
• Ability to work under strict deadlines with a high degree of urgency and accuracy

Required Skills

• Leadership ability to guide teams of faculty, staff, and community partners
• Excellent organizational and planning skills with strong task prioritization
• Capacity to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and execute ambiguous assignments
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills for team building and partnership development
• Strong writing ability
• Proficiency with technology, including Microsoft Suite, aptitude for learning