Job Information
Case Western Reserve University Executive Director of Entrepreneurship through Acquisition in Cleveland, Ohio
POSITION OBJECTIVE
The Executive Director of the Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) Center will lead the strategic growth and execution of programs that establish the Weatherhead School of Management as a leader in Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition education. This includes developing a strong curriculum for Masters Business Administration (MBA), undergraduate, and executive education programs, organizing a high-impact annual event, and implementing an effective marketing and enrollment strategy.
The Director will cultivate a vibrant ecosystem by engaging faculty, alumni, industry professionals, and community stakeholders. Responsibilities include forming and leading a strategic advisory board, creating student internship opportunities, and expanding mentoring and networking programs, particularly mentorship through the Promise Partners Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition accelerator.
Additionally, the Director will support the center founding initiatives, collaborate with the school of management and Case Corporate Development to engage donors, and contribute to the center thought leadership through support of faculty/Phd. research and industry engagement. They will also enhance student participation by leveraging digital tools for content organization and best practices sharing. The Director will support research efforts, including ongoing projects such as those led by Weatherhead School of Management Doctor of Business Administration Candidate Reid Tileston, and bringing top entrepreneurship through acquisition thought leaders to the annual event and classroom.
This role is essential in positioning the center as a premier hub for education, networking, and research in entrepreneurship through acquisition.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Marketing & Student Recruiting: Develop a comprehensive entrepreneurship through acquisition marketing strategy (in collaboration with the school of management and the university marketing team who will lead execution) and complete an alumni and promise partners census. Set enrollment goals for the Master of Business Administration and certificate programs, simplify the enrollment process for non-degree certificate students, and establish targets for executive education courses and electives. Creates a detailed plan to achieve a #1 ETA program ranking, including tactics to enhance third-party rankings. Highlighting alumni success stories, faculty expertise, and notable achievements through content, supported by a media and public relations strategy celebrating Weatherhead School of Management's entrepreneurship through acquisition legacy. Defines clear roles, KPIs, and schedules to guide implementation. Lead research on alumni and Promise Partners business ownership, gathering data and collaborating with faculty/Phd. research efforts. Collaborate with faculty to produce a dataset on acquisitions, covering funding models, acquisition values, financing structures, industries, and ownership outcomes for research and promotional purposes. Leverage faculty research to distinguish the program through content marketing, speaking and events. (25%)
Entrepreneurship through Acquisition Acceleration / Student Engagement & Outcomes: Create opportunities and support for students pursuing careers in entrepreneurship through acquisition. Continually establish internship opportunities, connecting students with roles in acquisitions, operations, and investment, and engage with the new advisory board and community to secure placements. Launch a technology platform (in partnership with outside parties) for managing acquisition leads and develop a database of investors interested in sponsoring entrepreneurs. Formalizes graduate assistant and entrepreneurship through acquisition club roles, including leadership continuity, pitch competition support, and ETA-focused trips. Oversee strategic partnership