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Senior Director, Ciocca Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Senior Director, Ciocca Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Santa Clara UniversitySanta Clara, CA, US
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Senior Director, Ciocca Center For Innovation And Entrepreneurship

Join Santa Clara University and help the next generation of entrepreneurs acquire the life skills of an entrepreneur and start their own ventures! Ciocca Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is a resource hub and academic development program that promotes and encourages the Entrepreneurial Mindset across campus through academics, competitions, and on-campus programs and events.

The Senior Director will play a critical leadership role in advancing the mission of the Ciocca Center by managing a growing portfolio of innovation and entrepreneurship programs, supervising other program directors, and supporting institutional partnerships that bring these offerings to scale. This is a hands-on role that blends strategic leadership with program execution and team management. The role reports to the Executive Director and collaborates across SCU's schools and administrative units.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities :

  • Provide Strategic and Hands-On Leadership for Programs and Initiatives
  • Supervise and Develop High-Performing Teams
  • Foster Campus and Community Engagement
  • Integrate Programs into University Operations and Infrastructure
  • Advance Strategic Planning and External Relations

Specific Duties and Responsibilities :

  • Oversee the design, delivery, and assessment of Ciocca Center programs that promote the Entrepreneurial Mindset across disciplines.
  • Lead the scale-up of successful pilot initiatives into sustainable, university-wide offerings.
  • Build partnerships with faculty and staff to develop co-curricular and curricular experiences aligned with SCU's mission.
  • Monitor trends in innovation and entrepreneurship to evolve programs accordingly.
  • Maintain a visible presence at events and actively engage in the execution of key programs.
  • Provide guidance and directly supervise program directors and professional staff, including hiring, onboarding, evaluation, and coaching.
  • Foster a team culture grounded in collaboration, creativity, accountability, and mission alignment.
  • Manage student intern hiring, training, and development, ensuring meaningful learning opportunities.
  • Create structures for cross-team collaboration and knowledge sharing.
  • Model inclusive leadership and provide opportunities for professional growth.
  • Build relationships with student organizations, academic departments, and other centers to broaden awareness and participation.
  • Lead outreach efforts to engage students from underrepresented backgrounds and across all disciplines.
  • Develop and implement marketing strategies that speak to a wide range of audiences (students, parents, alumni, faculty, donors).
  • Represent the Center in public forums, at campus events, and with industry stakeholders.
  • Cultivate alumni and community networks that enhance mentorship and programming.
  • Collaborate with academic units, deans' offices, student life, and other university partners to align programs with SCU systems and calendars.
  • Participate in administrative planning processes to ensure Center offerings complement and reinforce broader institutional goals.
  • Develop and manage the Ciocca Center's annual operating budget in collaboration with the Executive Director.
  • Establish program policies, workflows, and documentation that support long-term continuity and integration.
  • Coordinate with finance, operations, and HR to ensure smooth execution and compliance.
  • Contribute to data collection and reporting for internal assessment and accreditation needs.
  • Partner with the Executive Director in developing and refining strategic plans for Ciocca Center.
  • Support donor cultivation and stewardship, including drafting materials and participating in development meetings.
  • Maintain relationships with industry partners and sponsors to enhance experiential learning opportunities.
  • Oversee storytelling and reporting for internal and external audiences, highlighting student impact and program growth.
  • Identify grant and funding opportunities aligned with Center goals and assist in proposal development.

    • This position provides direct supervision for multiple full-time staff, including program directors and professional personnel. It also oversees a team of student interns and part-time employees. The Senior Director is responsible for performance management, professional development, and operational alignment of these roles. The position collaborates closely with the Executive Director to align staffing structures with strategic priorities and ensure the effective functioning of the team. Provides support for the Executive Director, including maintaining program continuity and representing the Center in meetings or communications when the Executive Director is unavailable, in alignment with established priorities and guidance.

    General Guidelines :

  • Recommends initiatives and implements changes to improve the quality and effectiveness of programs.
  • Identifies and resolves challenges proactively; develops solutions that improve processes and enhance program delivery.
  • Maintains open lines of communication with internal and external stakeholders; gathers feedback to inform continuous improvement.
  • Employs tools and systems to support team productivity, planning, and goal achievement.
  • Tracks and reports progress toward goals and outcomes to Ciocca Center leadership and relevant university offices.
  • Ensures operational accuracy, compliance, and timeliness across all areas of responsibility.
  • Prepares periodic reports, assessments, and strategic summaries as requested.

    • Qualifications :

  • To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities, education, and experience required or preferred.
  • This position requires the ability to work effectively with individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds and foster inclusive environments.

    • Knowledge :

  • Deep understanding of program management, experiential education, and innovation in higher education.
  • Familiarity with strategic planning, university administration, and entrepreneurship ecosystems.
  • Working knowledge of budgeting, assessment, and academic integration in university settings.

    • Skills :

  • Leadership and team development
  • Strategic thinking and decision-making
  • Event planning and project execution
  • Marketing and communications, including social media strategy
  • Fundraising and external relations
  • Operational management
  • Budget planning, financial analysis, and resource allocation

    • Abilities :

  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively across disciplines and departments
  • Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities with efficiency and composure
  • Proactive problem-solving and adaptability in a dynamic environment

    • Education and / or Experience :

  • Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree or MBA strongly preferred
  • 810+ years of progressively responsible experience in higher education, nonprofit, or corporate settings
  • Demonstrated experience in team leadership, program development, and cross-sector collaboration

    • Physical Demands :

  • Considerable time is spent at a desk using a computer terminal.
  • May be required to travel to other buildings on the campus.
  • May be required to attend conferences and training sessions within the Bay Area or in- or out-of-state locations.
  • May be required to occasionally travel to outside customers, vendors, or partners.

    • Work Environment :

  • Typical office and computer lab environment.
  • Mostly indoor office environment with windows.
  • Offices with equipment noise.
  • Offices with frequent interruptions.
  • This is an in-person role, requiring an on-campus presence.
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