Jobs at James Hope University

Job Description

• The Directorate of Enterprise and Innovation (DEI) seeks to nurture entrepreneurial leaders that create meaningful impact to people and communities globally.
• Our mission is to nurture a thriving ecosystem of innovative thinkers and startup leaders by providing mentorship, resources, and industry partnerships.
• We aim to support groundbreaking ideas, accelerate growth, and foster the skills and resilience necessary for entrepreneurs to address complex global challenges and create positive, sustainable change.
• The Programmes and Training Lead at the DEI of the James Hope Business School plays a key role in fostering an environment of innovation and entrepreneurship among students, faculty, and staff.

Responsibilities
Working under the supervision of the DEI Director, the Programmes and Training Lead will perform the following responsibilities.

• Working together with the Director of the DEI to develop and implement strategies to promote innovation and entrepreneurship within the JHBS community. This will involve creating programs, initiatives, and partnerships to support entrepreneurial endeavours.
• Managing the DEI incubators or accelerators that provide resources, mentorship, and support to students, faculty, and alumni who are launching start-ups or pursuing innovative projects.
• Ensure that allocated funds and resources to support innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives, including grants, scholarships, and funding for research and development are properly utilized for such purposes
• Cultivating partnerships with industry, government agencies, investors, and other stakeholders to facilitate collaboration, funding opportunities, and real-world application of innovative ideas and technologies.
• Developing educational programs, workshops, and training sessions to equip students, faculty, and staff with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in entrepreneurship and innovation.
• Creating opportunities for networking, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing among entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, and other members of the university community.
• Develop innovative projects, events, and opportunities at the DEI that can facilitate in-house innovation competitions among students in JHU

Additional Responsibilities Include:

• Provide mentorship, guidance, and support to individuals and teams engaged in entrepreneurial activities, including business planning, market research, and fundraising.
• Develop and implement metrics and evaluation methods to assess the impact and effectiveness of innovation and entrepreneurship programs and initiatives.
• Serve as a liaison between academic departments, administrative units, and external partners to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the DEI.
• Stay informed about trends, best practices, and emerging opportunities in innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology commercialization.
• Participate in the DEI’s research activities by conducting original research in the field of innovation, entrepreneurship, and related areas, with a focus on generating new knowledge and insights that contribute to academic scholarship and practice.
• Other related duties.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Innovation Management, or a related field.
• Extensive experience (typically 3-7 years) in Business Management, Entrepreneurship, Innovation Management, Technology Commercialization, or a related field, preferably in a university setting.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and motivate individuals and teams.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and engage diverse stakeholders
• Proven track record of successful program development, partnership building, and resource allocation.
• Knowledge of intellectual property, technology transfer, and start-up ecosystem dynamics.
• Familiarity with funding sources, grants, and investment opportunities for entrepreneurship and innovation.
• Ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with multiple priorities and stakeholders
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to think strategically and adapt to changing circumstances.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the entrepreneurship and innovation efforts.

go to method of application »

About the Position

• The Directorate of Enterprise and Innovation (DEI) seeks to nurture entrepreneurial leaders that create meaningful impact to people and communities globally.
• Our mission is to nurture a thriving ecosystem of innovative thinkers and startup leaders by providing mentorship, resources, and industry partnerships. We aim to support groundbreaking ideas, accelerate growth, and foster the skills and resilience necessary for entrepreneurs to address complex global challenges and create positive, sustainable change.
• The Student Engagement and Support Staff (SESS) at the DEI of the James Hope Business School plays a pivotal support role in achieving the Directorate’s key objective of fostering an environment of innovation and entrepreneurship among students, faculty, and staff.

Responsibilities include
Working under the supervision of the DEI Director, the Student Engagement and Support Staff will perform the following responsibilities.

• Responsible for supporting students, faculty, and alumni who are launching start-ups or pursuing innovative projects.
• Responsible for supplying updates on the DEI website and social media content, writing stories, interviewing student founders
• Leading students to represent the DEI at events, conferences and competitions
• Develop innovative projects and opportunities, and identify highly talented students (individuals or teams) that can execute such projects
• Developing educational programs, workshops, and training sessions to equip students, faculty, and staff with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in entrepreneurship and innovation.
• Ensure the efficient day to day running of the DEI, under the supervision of the Programmes and Training Lead
• Participate in the research and grants initiatives of the DEI
• Collate and maintain all data relating to the students working in the DEI as well as the external visitors of the innovation hub
• Work closely with other staff of the DEI to ensure that the directorate is a vibrant income generation center

Additional Responsibilities Include:

• Provide support to individuals and teams engaged in entrepreneurial activities, including business planning, market research, and fundraising.
• Develop and implement metrics and evaluation methods to assess the impact and effectiveness of innovation and entrepreneurship programs and initiatives.
• Serve as a liaison between academic departments, administrative units, and external partners to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the DEI.
• Stay informed about trends, best practices, and emerging opportunities in innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology commercialization.
• Participate in the DEI’s research activities by conducting original research in the field of innovation, entrepreneurship, and related areas, with a focus on generating new knowledge and insights that contribute to academic scholarship and practice.
• Other related duties

Qualifications

• At least a B.Sc. and at most a Masters degree in Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Innovation Management, or a related field.
• Requisite experience (typically 3-7 years) in entrepreneurship, innovation management, technology commercialization, or a related field, preferably in a university setting.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and motivate individuals and teams.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and engage diverse stakeholders
• Excellent customer service skills, with the ability to give attention to details
• Strong MS Office skills
• Proven track record of successful program development, partnership building, and resource allocation.
• Knowledge of intellectual property, technology transfer, and start-up ecosystem dynamics.
• Familiarity with funding sources, grants, and investment opportunities for entrepreneurship and innovation.
• Ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with multiple priorities and stakeholders
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to think strategically and adapt to changing circumstances.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the entrepreneurship and innovation efforts.

go to method of application »

Summary

• The Strategic Partnerships Manager for executive education will drive growth through traditional business development strategies, focusing on creating, building, and maintaining partnerships with business enterprises (corporations), government agencies, and NGOs.
• The role also involves collaborating with internal teams to deliver high-quality business education programs and using digital and social marketing tools to support outreach efforts.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute traditional business development strategies to build partnerships.
• Promote executive education programs through direct outreach, presentations, and professional networking.
• Collaborate with the digital and social marketing team to enhance visibility via online channels.
• Maintain strong client relationships to ensure satisfaction and encourage repeat business.
• Achieve revenue growth targets and provide regular performance reports.

Description of Job Roles
Partnership Development:

• Identify, target, and establish partnerships with corporations, government agencies, and NGOs for executive education programs.
• Attend industry events, seminars, and networking opportunities to build relationships with potential clients.
• Develop and present customized proposals, ensuring alignment with partner needs and organizational objectives.
• Negotiate and finalize partnership agreements to secure long-term collaborations.

Program Promotion and Sales:

• Collaborate with the marketing and digital teams to promote executive education programs for the school.
• Use traditional business development methods such as direct outreach, personal meetings, and presentations to attract corporate clients.
• Leverage modest digital marketing tools (e.g., LinkedIn) for lead generation and professional networking.
• Maintain a strong understanding of market trends to position programs effectively.

Client Engagement and Retention:

• Serve as the main point of contact for corporate clients, ensuring a seamless and professional experience.
• Organize face-to-face and virtual consultations to gather client requirements and feedback.
• Foster long-term client relationships, encouraging repeat engagements and referrals.

Market Analysis and Strategy:

• Conduct market research to identify emerging trends in executive education and corporate training.
• Monitor competitor activities and recommend strategies to enhance the school’s offerings.
• Work with faculty and program teams to co-design programs that meet market needs and client expectations.

Internal Collaboration:

• Collaborate with the faculty, operations, and digital marketing teams to ensure effective delivery of programs.
• Provide insights to the marketing team on key messages to campaign target audiences.
• Contribute to the design of program contents to reflect the needs of strategic partners.

Drive Revenue Growth:

• Develop and implement strategies to meet and exceed revenue targets for executive education programs
• Pursue new business opportunities and identify additional revenue streams.
• Monitor the financial performance of partnerships and ensure cost-effective program delivery.

Person Specifications
Qualifications:

• A strong Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or a related field (MBA preferred).
• Membership in relevant professional associations would be advantageous.
• Consistent and proven experience (5+ years) in business development or strategic partnerships, ideally in the marketing of business education or corporate training
• Track record of successfully managing and growing strategic partnerships.

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong relationship-building, negotiation, communication, and presentation skills.
• Expertise in traditional business development strategies, including in-person client meetings and presentations.
• Experience in marketing of executive education or corporate training.
• A strong network of relevant industry contacts.
• Basic familiarity with digital and social media platforms for professional networking.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills.
• Strategic and analytical thinking to identify and seize business opportunities.