Job Title

Director, Entrepreneurship, Hall School of Business and Entrepreneurship The Director, Entrepreneurship, Hall School of Business and Entrepreneurship reports to the Dean and provides strategic leadership for Okanagan Colleges entrepreneurship ecosystem. This senior leadership role is accountable for establishing, managing, and growing the Hall School of Business and Entrepreneurship incubator. Based in the new Centre for Food, Wine and Tourism, the Director will design and deliver a fully integrated entrepreneurship ecosystem that includes incubator facilities, seed fund operations, maker campus resources, EntrepreneursinResidence programming, and comprehensive community mentorship networks. This position demands measurable outcomes including venture creation, improved survival and growth rates, seamless integration of entrepreneurship into student learning, and demonstrable economic impact. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. If you have any specific questions pertaining to the role, please contact Kirsty Sakires, at [email protected] . Functions and Duties Strategic Planning and Execution Develops and executes the strategic vision for the entrepreneurship incubator, ensuring alignment with Okanagan Colleges Inspire 2.0 strategic plan and the Hall School of Business and Entrepreneurship mandate. Conducts quarterly strategic check-ins with the President and CEO to ensure incubator outcomes align with institutional priorities and contribute to College-wide objectives. Establishes annual operational plans with clear milestones, key performance indicators, and resource requirements to achieve programmatic and financial goals. Monitors and evaluates program effectiveness, making data-informed adjustments to programming, operations, and strategic direction to maximize impact. Identifies emerging trends in entrepreneurship education, venture capital, and startup support to position Okanagan College as a leader in postsecondary entrepreneurship. Incubator and Ecosystem Leadership Establishes, manages, and continuously improves the incubator facility, programs, services, and operational infrastructure to support entrepreneurs at all stages of venture development. Designs and implements comprehensive programming including workshops, hackathons, pitch competitions, mentorship matching, and specialized support for highgrowth ventures. Ensures incubator facility is operational by 2027 with scalable infrastructure, technology platforms, and support systems to accommodate yearoveryear growth. Builds strong partnerships with entrepreneurial networks, investors, accelerators, industry leaders, and community organizations to create pathways for incubated ventures. Establishes a minimum of 10 formalized partnerships by Year3 with organizations that provide capital, expertise, market access, or specialized support to entrepreneurs. Oversees maker campus operations, ensuring appropriate equipment, safety protocols, training, and access for students and entrepreneurs to prototype and develop products. Seed Funding Oversight and Financial Management Develops transparent, rigorous processes for seed fund distribution in collaboration with the Manager, Business Operations, ensuring alignment with investment criteria and fiduciary responsibilities. Coordinates with the Seed Fund Investment Committee to evaluate applications, conduct due diligence, make investment recommendations, and monitor portfolio performance. Maintains compliance with all financial reporting requirements, fund governance policies, and regulatory obligations related to seed fund operations. Prepares comprehensive financial reports for the Okanagan College Foundation, including fund utilization, investment performance, portfolio composition, and economic impact metrics. Develops budget forecasts and resource allocation strategies for incubator operations, ensuring sustainable financial management and optimal use of resources. Student Integration and Academic Collaboration Partners with Associate Deans in the Hall School of Business and Entrepreneurship to embed applied and experiential entrepreneurship learning opportunities into curriculum and cocurriculum programming. Creates pathways for students to engage with the incubator through credit courses, workintegrated learning, capstone projects, and volunteer opportunities that build entrepreneurial competencies. Collaborates with faculty to develop entrepreneurshipfocused learning outcomes, assessment methods, and authentic learning experiences that prepare students for startup ventures or intrapreneurship roles. Ensures incubator programming is accessible to students across all Hall School of Business and Entrepreneurship programs and explores opportunities for crossdisciplinary entrepreneurship initiatives. Engages 450600 participants annually by Year5, including students, alumni, youth, and community entrepreneurs, through incubator programs and ecosystem activities. EntrepreneursinResidence and Mentorship Networks Recruits, selects, and manages a diverse cohort of EntrepreneursinResidence (EIRs) who bring industry expertise, startup experience, and networks to support incubated ventures. Establishes clear expectations, engagement models, and evaluation criteria for EIRs, ensuring they provide highquality mentorship and contribute to ecosystem development. Expands mentorship networks by identifying and recruiting experienced entrepreneurs, industry experts, investors, and business leaders willing to support earlystage ventures. Facilitates structured mentorship matching, peertopeer entrepreneur groups, and community of practice initiatives that foster learning, accountability, and relationshipbuilding. Organizes events, showcases, and networking opportunities that connect entrepreneurs with mentors, investors, potential customers, and strategic partners. Governance, Reporting, and Stakeholder Engagement Actively participates in the Advisory Committee and Seed Fund Investment Committee, providing strategic input and ensuring effective governance of incubator operations. Submits timely, comprehensive reports to the Okanagan College Foundation, Advisory Committee, and College leadership detailing program outcomes, financial performance, and impact metrics. Coordinates donor recognition activities, stewardship initiatives, and impact reporting to demonstrate value and maintain strong relationships with philanthropic supporters. Represents the incubator and Okanagan College at regional, provincial, and national entrepreneurship events, conferences, and forums to build visibility and partnerships. Manages communications and digital presence for the incubator, including website content, social media, newsletters, and promotional materials that attract participants and partners. KPIs, Impact Measurement, and Continuous Improvement Establishes comprehensive data collection systems to monitor venture launches, survival rates, growth metrics, participant learning outcomes, and ecosystem health indicators. Ensures participants demonstrate at least 30% improvement in entrepreneurial skills and mindset through validated pre and postassessments. Achieves venture survival rate at five years for incubated startups, exceeding national benchmarks and demonstrating the effectiveness of support services. Attains measurable revenue and/or employment growth within five years, contributing to regional economic development. Documents engagement and participation of underrepresented groups including women, Indigenous entrepreneurs, racialized communities, and persons with disabilities to ensure inclusive programming. Conducts regular program evaluations, participant satisfaction surveys, and stakeholder feedback sessions to identify improvement opportunities and inform strategic planning. Leadership and Team Development Provides direct supervision to the Coordinator, Entrepreneurship, including goalsetting, performance management, professional development, and daytoday operational guidance. Recruits, hires, and onboards additional staff as the incubator grows, building a highperforming team with complementary skills and expertise. Fosters a culture of innovation, collaboration, equity, and continuous learning within the entrepreneurship team and across the ecosystem. Identifies and removes barriers that impede team effectiveness, providing resources, training, and support necessary for staff to succeed in their roles. Performs other duties and assists with special projects as assigned by the Dean, Hall School of Business and Entrepreneurship, in support of departmental and institutional goals. Education and Experience Graduate degree in business administration, entrepreneurship, innovation management, or related field is required. A combination of experience and education may be considered. Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in entrepreneurship, venture capital, business incubation, acceleration, or related fields is required. Proven success in building or leading accelerator and/or incubator programs with demonstrated impact on venture outcomes is required. Strong financial acumen including fund management, investment readiness assessment, venture financing expertise, and budget oversight is required. Demonstrated ability to foster crossfunctional alignment across academic, operational, executive, and philanthropic stakeholders in a complex organization is required. Established network within Canadian entrepreneurial ecosystems is required; knowledge of Okanagan and British Columbia ecosystems is considered an asset. Experience working in postsecondary education, particularly integrating entrepreneurship into academic programming, is considered an asset. Skills and Abilities Strategic visioning and planning expertise with ability to translate institutional priorities into actionable entrepreneurship initiatives. Ecosystem development and partnership building skills, including ability to forge and sustain relationships with diverse entrepreneurial networks, investors, and community organizations. Resultsoriented leadership style with track record of achieving measurable outcomes and sustained impact in entrepreneurship programming. Financial management and analytical capabilities including budget development, fund administration, investment evaluation, and performance measurement. Exceptional communication and influence skills for presenting to executive leadership, engaging with donors, negotiating partnerships, and representing the College externally. Entrepreneurial mindset characterized by agility, resourcefulness, opportunity focus, and comfort with ambiguity and calculated risktaking. Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice principles with demonstrated ability to create inclusive programming and support underrepresented entrepreneurs. Institutional integration capabilities including ability to navigate academic environments, align initiatives across operational units, and build consensus among diverse stakeholders. Project management expertise including ability to manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously, prioritize effectively, and deliver on commitments. Technology proficiency including familiarity with customer relationship management systems, data analytics platforms, and digital communication tools used in entrepreneurship support. Preferred Qualifications and Compensation Desired Start Date: 05/01/2026 Position End Date (if temporary): Annual Salary/Hourly Rate Range: $111,289 to $170,643 Typical Hiring Range: $133,547 to $148,385 Appointment Type: Exempt Continuing Fulltime Special Instructions to Applicants If you have any specific questions pertaining to the role, please contact Kirsty Sakires, at [email protected] . Supplemental Questions * How did you hear about this employment opportunity? Aboriginaljobboard.ca academicacareers.ca AcademicCareers.com Academy of Management Accelerate Okanagan Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) BCCPA.ca BCLA.bc.ca castanet.net CAUT CICAN collegesinstitutes.ca educationcanada.com Eluta Facebook family/friend referral Higher Education HRMA.ca ica.bc.ca indeed.ca IndigenousCareers.org Indigenous.link Job Bank kijiji.ca linkedin.com Newsletter/Esubscribe Newspaper okanagan.bc.ca payroll.ca Senior Women Academic Administrators of Canada (SWAAC) Tradestrainingbc.ca universityaffairs.ca WorkBC.ca What is the highest level of education attained? GED High School Diploma Diploma/Trade Bachelor''''s Degree Master''''s Degree PhD * Do you currently work, or have you worked for Okanagan College? Yes No If yes, please enter your 9-digit employee ID#. (Open Ended Question) Documents Needed To Apply Required Documents Resume/CV Cover Letter References Optional Documents Other Document1 Other Document2 Other Document3 Okanagan College is committed to increasing the equitable and inclusive participation of marginalized people in all aspects of college life. We welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black People, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, people with disabilities and people with diverse gender identities or expressions. People with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, [email protected]. #J-18808-Ljbffr