VC Director @ Indiana Wesleyan University in Fort Wayne, IN

• Entrepreneurial Vision and Execution of Small Business Start-Ups
  • Develop current Health Hub service ideas into independent, self-sustaining, and profitable enterprises
  • Explore and cultivate venture and partnership opportunities in the region
  • Serve as the site leader for regional ventures, responsible for developing and growing new initiatives
  • Build strategic community presence and partnerships with city, region, and state entities
  • Organize local events to drive program awareness and cultivate a learning environment
• Project Development and Management
  • Collaborate with internal and external partners to shape potential venture and learning opportunities
  • Develop business cases for new project pilots using intuition and data
  • Provide agile project leadership for new regional initiatives
  • Coordinate cross-departmental efforts to launch ventures and drive enrollment
  • Execute novel ideas quickly and with excellence
• Community Engagement and Partnership Building
  • Cultivate relationships with influential alumni and community leaders to further the Health Hub vision, particularly by assessing needs, building business pipelines, and generating income for the center
  • Convene local events and opportunities to establish the education center as a regional learning hub
• Administrative Leadership
  • Support research and development grants for funding regional initiatives
  • Manage the region’s venture operating budget including the income target goals (i.e., set and achieve goals)
  • Conduct needs assessments and data analysis for continuous improvement of regional efforts
  • Travel to Indianapolis monthly for ventures collaboration meetings
  • Uphold the University’s Christ-centered mission in all interactions

Qualifications: According to Indiana Wesleyan University employment policy all employees must possess a strong Christian commitment and adhere to the standards outlined in the IWU Community Lifestyle Statement.

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred

Experience

• Proven track record in executing complex programs with multiple constituents
• Experience in project management and developing new initiatives
• Demonstrated success in running a small business preferred
• Demonstrated success in building partnerships and working with diverse stakeholders
• Strong background in oral, written, and interpersonal communication
• Experience in health, nursing, health or life coaching, or related fields (preferred)
• Ability to work under strict deadlines with a high degree of urgency and accuracy

Required Skills

• Leadership ability to guide teams of faculty, staff, and community partners
• Excellent organizational and planning skills with strong task prioritization
• Capacity to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and execute ambiguous assignments
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills for team building and partnership development
• Strong writing ability
• Proficiency with technology, including Microsoft Suite, aptitude for learning new platforms, and Ai prompting
• Willingness to travel to other IWU regional sites in Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky as needed
• Fast learner with a curious mindset
• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred
• Ability to demonstrate a Christian worldview in alignment with the University’s mission

IWU commits to create a community that reflects kingdom diversity. We will foster an intentional environment that exhibits honor, respect, and dignity. Acknowledging visible or invisible differences, our community authentically values each member’s earthly and eternal worth. We refute ignorance and isolation and embrace deliberate and courageous engagement.

As a religious educational institution operating under the auspices of The Wesleyan Church, Indiana Wesleyan University is permitted and reserves the right to prefer employees on the basis of religion (42 U.S.C., Sections 2000e-1 and 2000e-2).

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. Employees will be required to follow other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws.