University of Delaware

Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics

Director, School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

The University of Delaware invites applications for the position of Director of the School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, a cornerstone of the Lerner College's 2025-2030 Strategic Plan and its Innovation & Societal Change frontier. We seek an innovative leader to establish this new School by building upon the existing foundation of the entrepreneurship academic area and Horn Entrepreneurship, whose mission is to empower world changers through world-class entrepreneurship education and whose vision is to optimize the positive impact of entrepreneurship education for students, the university, and the broader community. The Director will report to the Dean of the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics.

Responsibilities

The Director will provide strategic and operational leadership for the School. Key duties include:

• Academic Leadership:  Responsibility for the School’s academic and co-curricular programs and student success.
• Administration: Managing the School’s budget, facilities, and IT infrastructure while overseeing the Venture Development Center and the Horn Program in Entrepreneurship.
• Governance: Developing a strategic plan and governance framework, including bylaws, workload policies, and promotion and tenure guidelines.
• Faculty & Staff: Recruiting, supporting, and evaluating a team of faculty and staff to foster a collaborative environment.
• Scholarship: Contributing to the School’s scholarly impact.
• Partnerships & Fundraising: Leading alumni engagement and fundraising efforts—including grants and corporate sponsorships—while building ties across the University.

Qualifications

The successful candidate must possess:

• A full-time faculty position in the Lerner College of Business and Economics;
• A strong commitment to advancing scholarship in innovation and entrepreneurship;
• Potential for leadership in academic and co-curricular entrepreneurship programming;

• A commitment to student learning and success;
• Potential for fundraising, including securing gifts and grants;
• The ability to communicate effectively with the School’s internal and external stakeholders,
• Potential for excellent fiscal management.

Application Instructions

Applicants should visit the University’s application portal Talent Link to upload the following:

• A letter of interest outlining leadership experience and a vision for the School.
• A current curriculum vitae.

The search committee will begin reviewing applications in April 2026, and the search will remain open until the position is filled. 

Equal Opportunity Employer: The University of Delaware is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, or protected veteran status.