Director, Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE)
Location : Bhubaneswar, Odisha
Career Level : Senior Management
Salary : Negotiable
Centurion University (CU; www.cutm.ac.in) is a pioneer in skill integrated higher education and over the past decade has been recognized as a role model globally by multilateral agencies such as the World Bank and United Nations, as well as central/state governments and entities such as the Niti Ayog.
CU strives to fulfill its credo of been “Shaping Lives and Empowering Communities” and has developed an innovative pedagogic approach that comprises: ‘hands-on’, ‘experience based’ and ‘practice oriented’ learning. This industry aligned approach has already made a significant and tangible impact by creating sustainable livelihood and employment opportunities for 100,000+ youth and farmers in some of the poorest districts of the country.
CIE is CU’s initiative for creating and promoting Nano, Mini and Micro Enterprises to create impact that is ‘quantifiable’, ‘sustainable’, ‘scalable’ and ‘replicable’.
CIE will leverage the strong technology (Digital Design labs with HPC, powered by Dassault Systemes 3DS Platform, Immersive Tech (Unity) and Additive Manufacturing in collaboration with Wipro3D) and production infrastructure (in domains such as apparel manufacturing, wood engineering, transformer manufacturing, Machining Center with 5 axis CNC and waste to wealth), capability to provide comment support services to incubatees as well as a state of art co-working space. CIE will also leverage CU’s wide network of government and private sector connects to provide market and financial linkages for its incubatees. Besides this, CIE will also acts as a center of excellence for University based Incubators for nano, mini and micro enterprises as well as design/offer structured sessions on Entrepreneurship Development and courses to both CU’s students and broader community around its campuses.
What do we Expect?
Director CIE will report to the CEO, Centurion University, and will lead/manage the incubator in Bhubaneswar as well as extend CIE’s programs to all of Centurion University’s campuses in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. She/he is also expected to represent CIE in relevant forums as well as liaise with various stakeholders across the entrepreneurship eco-system such as mentors, service providers, financial institutions and the Government at the local, state and federal levels.
We are looking for a dynamic and resourceful go-getter with proven ability to build and nurture an entrepreneurial eco-system. This role requires a willingness to take risk, think big and challenge conventional wisdom.
S/He shall bring substantial technical expertise to support program design and execution, recruiting building a pipeline of incubatees as well as nurture them to maturity, supervise technical project staff as well as build pro-active proposals (policy and fund raising). S/He shall also work with CU’s research centers and faculty for generating thought leadership and brining in necessary external expertise for product development being undertaken by these research centers.
S/he should be a natural/coach and have experience in running an incubator or be an entrepreneur her/himself. Exposure to fund raising, e-commerce, digital media, market linkages and working in tribal/rural settings will be a strong plus.
S/He would be responsible to deal with our partner Universities in Australia and USA relating to Entrepreneurship, students led Nano – Mini – Novo Enterprises and Internship
S/He will carry full P&L responsibility and relevant authority to ensure that CIE establishes itself as a self-sustaining entity through its activities as well as multiple revenue generation opportunities.
Other Requirements
- Master’s degree or higher in related areas
- 10+ years of experience in building enterprises (including own ventures) and/or similar internal roles in the corporate sector
- Strong ability to conceptualize, build and present complex ideas in a simple manner to senior stakeholders
- Confidence to deal with State and Central Governments
- Confidence to negotiate with Banks for Start up loans
- Fluency in English (writing and speaking) is a must
- Ability to work effectively and relate respectfully with staff at all levels, ages, genders, nationalities and orientations as well as across work areas
- Ability and willingness to travel up to 50%.
- Prior experience in raising CSR grants would be an added advantage
- Willingness to lead and run an enterprise in the University Campus
CUTM is an Equal Opportunity Employer