POSITION OBJECTIVE

Case Western Reserve University seeks an innovative, tech-savvy, and collaborative leader to serve as its next Executive Director of Sears think[box], who will join a committed leadership team within the Office of the Provost in advancing the university’s priorities. The executive director will join Case Western Reserve University during a time of prosperity and will become part of a team of leaders who support faculty, staff, students, and community members as they implement their creative ideas in a space and ecosystem which provides support to take those ideas into the classroom, the laboratory, the community, a start-up, or established company partner. In strong partnership with the Provost, deans, and other campus leaders, the executive director will bring a collaborative, data-informed, systems approach that promotes a community of creative endeavors that cross disciplinary and academic boundaries. Such a leader will move the nation’s largest university-based open-access innovation and makerspace to its next level of prominence.

The executive director leads all aspects of the 50,000 square feet Sears think[box] facility; a facility that welcomes 80,000 user visits annually, with support of 13 professional staff and 32 highly-trained student technicians, all funded via a $1.4 million budget and with a growing endowment. This leadership includes setting a vision and strategy for how to shape the future; it also requires implementing a plan that includes a keen understanding and experience in obtaining both internal, academic buy-in as well as external support and enthusiasm at the local, state, national, and international level. The executive director understands how to turn a world-class asset that has a history of strong support into a beacon that is indisputably the most recognized and trusted organization that others continue to emulate.

The mission of Sears think[box] is to support people in learning, refining, and utilizing skills to achieve their desired goals in innovation, entrepreneurship, and making; cultivate and welcome a diverse community; and create a culture which encourages persistence and values resilience.

In this role, think[box] serves all eight academic units of the university. It also collaborates closely with the offices of Admissions and Student Life. Think[box] is an integrated system/facility that includes a comprehensive makerspace, services, meeting space, and incubator space to support entrepreneurs; and connects the surrounding community and campus. It coordinates with and supports other entities that enrich the on-campus experience including, but not limited to, the university libraries, the Office of Research and Technology Management, Office for the Support of Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavors, the University Center for Innovation in Teaching and Education, Roger E. Susi First-Year Engineering Experience, and the Veale Institute for Entrepreneurship.

The executive director will understand this mission and role, and push Sears think[box] to an even higher plane, continuing to ask “why”, “what’s next”, and “how can we re-envision this work”. The executive director will challenge the system while ensuring respectful discourse, diversity in voice, and encouragement of new ideas are part of every growth-related conversation.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Use Expertise to Build: Ask “what is next” for the nation’s largest innovation ecosystem by ensuring think[box]’s programs are highly-visible and highly-regarded nationally and internationally. Make adjustments as a thought leader at the national level, engaging broadly with peers among higher education based makerspaces and innovation centers as well as other industries that would bring innovative thought to their work. Bring new ideas to think[box] as well as disseminate our cutting-edge practices and ideas across the world. (30%)
2. Raise Visibility and Resources: create a vision and supporting programs that are cutting-edge, collaborating closely with development staff to define and pursue philanthropic opportunities to support these ideas that may include capital equipment acquisition, facilities development and rejuvenation, new program introduction, and endowment of ongoing operations. Manage a discreet portfolio of high-capacity prospective prospects in collaboration with university development staff and engage in face-to-face cultivation and solicitation of prospective donors. Evaluate and pursue appropriate corporate partnerships, non-credit educational programs, fee-based services, start-up business ventures, and other related revenue producing activities in support of the think[box] mission. (30%)
3. Provide Visionary Leadership: possess an entrepreneurial spirit and be able to work within a complex, research university environment with partners from many sectors. Effectively interact with individuals from the business community, manufacturing, health care industry, applied science fields, among others, sharing the vision of Sears think[box] and helping others align to that vision. Advise the provost, deans, and other campus leadership on decisions needed to elevate the Sears think[box] brand and position both on and off campus. (20%)
4. Inspire Operational Excellence: through collaborative leadership, provide the operational framework aligned to the vision, encouraging the staff to achieve strategic goals, including development of a sustainable budget model. Operational excellence will be metrics and data-driven, allowing for swift decision-making and investments. Create and sustain appropriate advisory committees relevant to the think[box] mission and vision. (20%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Perform other duties as assigned. (<1%)

CONTACTS

Department: Frequent and intensive interaction with undergraduate and graduate student users; and community users. Regular interaction with the Division of Enrollment Management, faculty and staff across the eight academic units, peer service centers including Veale Institute for Entrepreneurship, Interactive Commons, University Center for Innovation in Teaching and Education, Office of Research and Technology Management, University Libraries, Undergraduate Advising Support Office, and the Office of Graduate Studies.

University: Regular interaction with the deans of the eight academic units or their designees, Office of the President, University Relations and Development, Government and Foundation Relations, Corporate Relations and Strategic Projects, Facilities Management and Campus Planning, department chairs, faculty, students, and staff.

External: Regular interaction with institutions, companies, alumni, investors, state and federal funding agencies, foundations, and donors. Initiate and cultivate relationships with industrial partners, regionally and nationally, to enable successful engagement with the on-campus enterprises.

Students: Regular interaction with Case Western Reserve University undergraduate, professional, and graduate students.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

Direct reports: Business Manager, Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives and Business Development, Director of Technology and Innovation, Director of Design and Manufacturing, and Director of Prototyping, Art, and Community Engagement.

Indirect reports: Manager for Program Development and Implementation, Prototyping Manager, Operations Engineering Manager, Design and Manufacturing Engineer, Assistant Director Cray Center for Venture Creation, Makerspace Manager, and Department Assistant.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience and Education: Master’s degree required and 10 years of leadership with at least 5 years in an academic setting. Evidence of successful fundraising and elevation of an institution’s or organization’s profile is expected. Experience should include close working relationships with students and faculty as well as with external entities such as donors, alumni, and other corporate/government leaders. Experience with innovation and making is required.

REQUIRED SKILLS

1. A proven record of working collaboratively with a wide range of both academic and start-up entities and external entities, including the ability to represent Case Western Reserve University by participating in meetings, conferences and other events involving industrial leaders, funding agencies, and foundations, among others.
2. Ability to develop and lead strategic, collaborative initiatives with both internal and external groups.
3. Demonstrated leadership skills with experience addressing diverse problems that affect an organization’s resources and management.
4. Understanding of fundraising and/or proven experience in fundraising.
5. Excellent technical and analytical skills used to drive decision-making.
6. Experience analyzing medium- and long-term needs, resource requirements, and developing and implementing plans to accomplish goals.
7. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
8. Excellent strategic thinking.
9. Ability to meet consistent attendance.
10. Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Think[box] is a standalone 50,000 sq-ft, 7-story building on the Case Western Reserve University campus. The employee will occupy an office but be expected to be active and routinely move through the building. Frequent meetings will occur on- and off-campus. Some activities will take place in the evenings, and weekends. Travel for meetings, conferences, development efforts, partnership building, and other university business is required. Unpredictable hours and frequent interruptions regularly occur.

In employment, as in education, Case Western Reserve University is committed to Equal Opportunity and Diversity.  Women, veterans, members of underrepresented minority groups, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

.

Case Western Reserve University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.  Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation.  Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicant will be made on a case-by-case basis.

.