If you have any questions about the position or our application process, reach out to us at recruiting-u@smith.edu.

Job Description

Entrepreneur-in-Residence
Conway Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center

POSITION SUMMARY

Since its founding in 1871, Smith College has been committed to educating women of promise for lives of distinction. The College is embarking on a series of experiential learning initiatives in keeping with its pioneering role. Cultivating innovation and entrepreneurship among Smithies has become increasingly important given the gender divides that permeate the fast-growing entrepreneurial economy.

The Jill Ker Conway Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center at Smith College is looking to add a flexible, experienced, resourceful, part-time (up to 10 hrs/week) Entrepreneur-in- Residence (EIR) to our team. The EIR will bring strong entrepreneurial experience as founders or early team members of startups or other creative projects. As an experienced entrepreneurial professional, the EIR will provide project development guidance to Smith students.

The EIR reports to the Conway Center Director and will work with them during two fast paced, weekly-long innovation and entrepreneurship courses in January 2024 (one-credit each, S/U only). Additionally, the EIR will work with faculty and staff members throughout the College to support student-led entrepreneurial projects in the arts, social impact ventures, and for-profit enterprises. Working with ambiguity, communicating across disciplinary boundaries, and promoting entrepreneurial growth from diverse populations, geographies, and sources of innovation are requirements of the role. A passion for educating women and gendered minorities is essential.

In addition, the EIR may co-lead workshops, serve as mentors to the student startup club, and advise on tools and processes needed to better serve the Center's mission.

Minimum Qualifications:

• MA, MS, or MBA

• Experience teaching undergraduate students

• Experience leading a profitable and sustainable social venture

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

• Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds

• Empathy, compassion, and high integrity are required attributes

Preferred Qualifications:

• Coaching/consulting very early stage founders

• A deep understanding and commitment to the values and academic mission of Smith College and the willingness to contribute to that mission in a variety of ways

• Exceptional interpersonal skills, the ability to inspire and motivate students, alumnae, faculty and staff

• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion

• Product, technical, and/or creative industries expertise

The Conway Center is a student-facing unit at a residential college. Successful applicants will have the flexibility to work on-campus and remotely, as needed.

TO APPLY: send your cover letter and resume in a single PDF document to jwkennedy@smith.edu by December 1, 2023 to be considered.

Please attach/upload a current resume and cover letter in order for your application to be considered for this position.

Position Type:

About Smith College

Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women's colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student-faculty research projects. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Students cross-enroll and faculty cross-teach across the Five Colleges.

As set forth in our mission and values, Smith College is committed to promoting a culture of equity and inclusion among students, staff and faculty. The College will not discriminate in employment on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by law. Smith College is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination.