Director, Center for Entrepreneurship

Fort Hays State University seeks a visionary, entrepreneurial, and collaborative leader to serve as Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship. The Director will oversee strategic initiatives that cultivate entrepreneurial thinking across campus and throughout the region. This role blends program development, community engagement, mentorship, and academic integration to create a dynamic hub that inspires and supports students, faculty, and community members in launching innovative ventures.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, entrepreneurship, education, or a related field or four years of experience in lieu of degree.

• Demonstrated leadership and project management experience.

• Experience in entrepreneurship, innovation, or enterprise development.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in business administration, entrepreneurship, education, or a related field or six years of experience in lieu of degree.

• Experience working in higher education and/or economic development.

• Strong understanding of rural and regional entrepreneurship dynamics.

• Proven ability to secure external funding and build collaborative partnerships.

• Experience mentoring students or early-stage entrepreneurs.

Skills and Attributes:

• Visionary leader with a passion for entrepreneurship and education.

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.

• Ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders across campus and the broader community.

• Self-starter with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership & Vision

  • Ensure the Center for Entrepreneurship is the hub of the FHSU Entrepreneurship Ecosystem, and work to support the programming and growth of the inter-related parts of the ecosystem across campus. Lead goal-setting and strategy for the Center for Entrepreneurship that advances entrepreneurship in alignment with RCOBE and FHSU’s mission and strategic goals.

  • Foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurial thinking across academic disciplines and student populations.

• Program Development

  • Design and implement business accelerator program.

  • Lead the design, delivery, and assessment of entrepreneurship-related events, workshops, competitions (e.g., pitch competitions), and accelerator programming.

  • Oversee the coordination of the Entrepreneurship Living-Learning Community in Hansen Hall, along with the Hansen Hall Faculty Coordinator.

  • Support entrepreneurship curriculum initiatives and experiential learning opportunities in collaboration with faculty.

• Student & Faculty Engagement

  • Lead recruitment efforts for current and prospective FHSU students who demonstrate an entrepreneurial mindset.

  • Mentor and advise students interested in entrepreneurship, startups, and business development.

  • Support faculty in integrating entrepreneurship into the classroom through project-based learning, guest speakers, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

• Community & Regional Partnerships

  • Work in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to build and sustain partnerships with local businesses, alumni entrepreneurs, economic development organizations, and rural communities to foster ecosystem collaboration.

  • Develop and partner with internal and external entities to support delivery of workshops that  support regional business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs.

  • Serve as a liaison between the university and regional entrepreneurship initiatives, such as business incubators or Small Business Development Centers.

• Operational & Financial Oversight

  • Manage the Center’s budget, resources, and reporting requirements.

  • Seek and secure external funding through grants, sponsorships, and donor relations to support Center initiatives.

  • Coordinate marketing and communication strategies to increase visibility and impact of the Center.

  • Report to both internal and external stakeholders

Benefits: To review our competitive benefit package, please visit FHSU Benefits.

Base Salary Range: $95,000 - $105,000

Priority Deadline: January 18, 2026. Screening of complete applications will begin immediately following the priority deadline and will continue until the position is filled.

Application Process: To apply for this position, please visit FHSU Careers. Only electronic applications submitted through the webpage will be accepted.

Required Application Documents:  Applicants must submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae or resume, and names and contact information for three professional references.

Applicant documents should be submitted in one PDF.

If you have questions regarding the position, please contact:

Keith Bremer

Search Committee Chair

kabremer@fhsu.edu

Community of Hays

FHSU is located in Hays, a vibrant college town of approximately 20,000, located halfway between Kansas City and Denver on Interstate 70. Hays is the regional center for education, health care, professional services, shopping, culture, and recreation for the western half of Kansas. The community boasts excellent recreational programs and facilities, including the comprehensive Center for Health Improvement, Hays Aquatic Park, Smoky Hill Country Club, Hays Municipal Golf Course, and extensive walking, running, and biking trails. Hays is within 45 minutes of two large lakes that offer great opportunities for boating, fishing, and camping. The Hays Municipal Airport provides connecting service to Denver with several flights daily. The Hays community is home to excellent Pre-K and K-12, public and private schools. With over 60 restaurants, major retail outlets, a low unemployment rate, and very short commute times, the city provides a safe, welcoming, low-cost, high-quality living environment for the residents who call "Hays, America" home.

Notice of Non-discrimination – Fort Hays State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, religion, national origin, color, age, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability or veteran status.

Background Check: Final candidate will have consented to and successfully completed a criminal background check.

Notice to KPERS retirees applying for a position: Recent legislation changes working-after-retirement rules for both you and your employer if you go back to work for a KPERS employer. Please contact your KPERS representative or www.kpers.org for further information on how this might affect you.