Director, Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation en University of Saskatchewan

The director is responsible for launching, leading, and growing a central, research-informed hub that connects and advances entrepreneurial initiatives across the university and within the broader provincial ecosystem. This role oversees the strategic management, design, and delivery of innovative programming and initiatives that foster entrepreneurial creativity, community-building, and knowledge-sharing.

In addition to leading high-impact initiatives, the director stewards financial and operational resources to support long-term sustainability and collaborates with advancement offices to cultivate philanthropic support. Through strategic communication, stakeholder engagement, and external representation, the director enhances the Centre’s visibility, credibility, and long-term sustainability.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Leads the development and execution of the Centre’s strategic plan through consultative planning, alignment with college priorities, and measurable implementation
• Establishes the Centre as the university’s hub for entrepreneurship and a key contributor to the provincial and national entrepreneurial ecosystem by convening partners and delivering signature programs
• Designs, implements, and evaluates high-impact curricular, co-curricular, and non-academic programs that foster creativity, community, and knowledge sharing
• Manages financial activities through budget planning, reconciliation, and risk mitigation
• Optimizes human, financial, and technological resources to achieve strategic goals and support long-term sustainability
• Partners with advancement offices to participate in cultivating philanthropic support
• Promotes and supports entrepreneurship research by engaging faculty and mobilizing knowledge across education, industry, and government to bridge research, practice, and policy
• Delivers programs and activities that are accessible, inclusive, and responsive through continuous evaluation and learner feedback
• Builds and maintains strong relationships through engagement, collaboration, and responsive communication with a variety of internal and external stakeholders including but not limited to faculty, students, staff, industry, investors, incubators, accelerators, and government
• Represents the Centre in media, forums, and strategic collaborations to build visibility and credibility
• Expands impact across the university and in the community by collaborating with external organizations
• Manages a team of direct reports through effective supervision, coaching, and performance management
• Communicates and acts in a respectful and professional manner, collaborates effectively, abides by policy, contributes to a positive and productive work and learning environment, and models these behaviours across the institution
• Builds and leads diverse teams, champions inclusive leadership, and values different perspectives
• Engages in and supports the understanding and growth of employees with the frameworks, initiatives and activities relating to equity, diversity and inclusion and Indigenous engagement
• Sets and achieves actionable goals in alignment with Indigenous engagement and equity, diversity, and inclusion frameworks; addresses systemic inequities affecting underrepresented equity groups
• Undertakes related duties, as assigned, consistent with the nature of the position

Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree in business, entrepreneurship, or a related field; a master’s degree is preferred
• Minimum of seven years’ experience in entrepreneurship, innovation, or business development
• Minimum of three years’ experience in people leadership and managing budgets in complex organizations
• Experience working in higher education or academic entrepreneurship is an asset
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships across campus, industry, government, and community partners and sustain multi-sector partnerships
• Strong understanding of the entrepreneurial ecosystem and entrepreneurship models, including innovation, venture creation, and ecosystem development
• Familiarity with the Saskatchewan business and innovation landscape is an asset
• Demonstrated success in securing funding and philanthropic support
• Ability to develop, implement, and evaluate multi-year strategic plans, translating vision into actionable initiatives while navigating complex organizational environments
• Demonstrated ability influence decision-making at institutional and community levels
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, including media and public speaking
• Ability to interpret, integrate, and apply entrepreneurship research into practice and policy

The University of Saskatchewan recognizes alternate career paths; therefore, a combination of education and experience may be considered.