Working Title: Assistant Director - Gilliam Center for Entrepreneurship (GCFE)

State Role Title: N/A

Position Type: Administrative & Professional (Non-teaching Faculty)

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: College of Business

Department: 100464 - Center for Entrepreneurship

Pay Band: N/A

Pay Rate: Pay Range

Specify Range or Amount: $69,000 - $72,000 

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? Yes. This successful candidate must complete a statement of personal economic interest prior to their first day of employment.

Beginning Review Date: 08/03/2026

About JMU:

Mission
We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.

Vision
To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.

Who We Are
Situated in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is a vibrant community with a population of approximately 52,000. Harrisonburg is conveniently located approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA.

JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and supportive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 21,000 undergraduate and 1,800 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.

JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.

General Information:

The Leslie Flanary Gilliam Center for Entrepreneurship (GCFE) at James Madison University seeks applications for the position of Assistant Director. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Assistant Director will play a key leadership role in advancing entrepreneurship education, experiential learning, and community engagement across the university and region.

The GCFE is distinguished by its interdisciplinary approach to entrepreneurship and its commitment to integrating entrepreneurial thinking into the fabric of James Madison University. The Assistant Director will help expand the Center’s impact through educational programming, student mentorship, community partnerships, and operational leadership. This individual will support and manage existing initiatives related to new venture creation, entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA), student entrepreneurship, and early-stage funding while also helping develop innovative new programs that connect students, faculty, alumni, business owners, and regional stakeholders.

The successful candidate will embody the entrepreneurial mindset the GCFE seeks to cultivate – demonstrating innovation, collaboration, initiative, and a passion for supporting aspiring entrepreneurs and economic development throughout the Shenandoah Valley and beyond.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Program Leadership & Entrepreneurship Education
• Manage and support existing GCFE programs and initiatives that advance entrepreneurship education and venture creation.
• Develop and deliver hands-on educational programming for undergraduate students, graduate students, alumni, and community participants, including programming related to Entrepreneurship through Acquisition (ETA).
• Mentor and coach student entrepreneurs, startup teams, and volunteer alumni mentors.
• Advise and support entrepreneurship-focused student organizations, including the Society of Entrepreneurs and Epsilon Nu Tau – Kappa Chapter.
• Guide students toward academic, professional, and experiential opportunities including minors, conferences, competitions, incubators, and funding programs.
• Foster faculty and student engagement in entrepreneurship scholarship, innovation, and experiential learning.
• Manage the Student Ambassador program and Entrepreneurship Faculty Fellows to support outreach and student engagement efforts.

Community & Regional Engagement
• Build and maintain strong relationships with alumni, donors, business leaders, entrepreneurs, nonprofit organizations, local governments, and community partners.
• Expand the GCFE’s role in regional economic development by developing innovative community-based entrepreneurship initiatives.
• Serve as a visible ambassador for the GCFE within the university and broader entrepreneurial ecosystem.
• Network regionally and nationally to create partnerships and opportunities that benefit students and the Center.
• Engage advisory board members, mentors, and community partners in GCFE programming and events.
• Nurture and grow a network of supporters and advocates for the GCFE mission.

Operations, Administration & Fundraising
• Assist the Executive Director in implementing the strategic vision and operational priorities of the Center.
• Support day-to-day management of GCFE activities, programs, and initiatives.
• Lead and supervise operations, marketing staff, student employees, graduate assistants, and interns.
• Lead grant writing, fundraising, grant management, and reporting activities across GCFE programs.
• Support budget planning, financial tracking, and operational reporting.
• Help ensure the Center maintains sustainable, collaborative, and adaptable operations across diverse funding sources.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in business, entrepreneurship, education, nonprofit management, economic development, or a related field.
• Minimum of five years of professional experience in entrepreneurship, startup leadership, small business management, economic development, higher education, nonprofit leadership, or related areas.
• Demonstrated leadership, organizational, and project management experience.
• Strong written, verbal, and public communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders including students, faculty, alumni, business leaders, donors, nonprofit organizations, and government entities.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively as part of a collaborative team.
• Demonstrated commitment to entrepreneurship education and community engagement.

Preferred Qualifications
• Master’s degree or terminal degree preferred.
• Experience developing and delivering entrepreneurship education or experiential learning programs.
• Experience with fundraising, grant writing, and grant administration.
• Experience mentoring entrepreneurs, startup founders, or student innovators.
• Experience with budget management and organizational operations.
• Familiarity with social media, digital communications, CRM systems, and related technologies.
• Experience working in higher education, nonprofit organizations, startup ecosystems, or entrepreneurial support organizations.

Additional Posting Information:

Applicants should submit:
• A letter of interest describing qualifications and interest in the position
• Resume or curriculum vitae (uploaded under "Resume" within the application portal)

Conditions of Employment:  

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.