Primary Duties:
- Fill the Hub's client pipeline across coaching, accelerator,
and grant programs through direct outreach to entrepreneurs and
small businesses, including early- through growth-stage businesses
with limited access to capital, networks, or technical
assistance.
- Serve as the Hub's tactical lead for ecosystem
relationship-building across the six-county region, proactively
establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships with GVSU
faculty and staff, other entrepreneurial support organizations,
economic development organizations, and service providers who scout
and refer clients;
- Co-plan and coordinate partner-delivered programming with
partners, and collect partner activity and outcome metrics for Hub
reporting.
- Provide 1-on-1 coaching and mentoring to Hub clients in
strategic business management, innovation, and growth planning,
conducting needs assessments and co-creating actionable business
plans that address each client's specific challenges and
goals.
- Plan, develop, and lead the Hub's cohort-based accelerator
program ElevateWest, including curriculum, cohort recruitment and
onboarding, and program delivery.
- Connect clients to capital and financing across the ecosystem,
providing direct coaching support for Business Accelerator Fund
applications, including business-plan and executive-summary
development in coordination with the Assistant Director.
- Design, document, and continuously improve sustainable coaching
and client-lifecycle processes and systems-including client intake,
coaching workflow, pipeline tracking, and a repeatable accelerator
playbook-so that programs run efficiently across the team and
sustainably
- Perform other duties as required/assigned by leadership.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.
- Minimum seven (7) years of business experience.
- Demonstrated ability to build and manage partnerships and
stakeholder relationships across organizations.
- Experience providing 1-on-1 coaching or mentoring.
- Ability to articulate an understanding of traditional and
emerging industries relevant to Michigan's economic recovery and
future success.
- Excellent verbal, written, presentation, and negotiation
skills.
- Resourceful and proactive in gathering information, sharing
ideas, and building and sustaining programs and business processes
and systems.
- Strong/advanced computer skills.
- Demonstrated organizational skills with the ability to manage
multiple projects and client relationships simultaneously.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- MBA or equivalent relevant post-graduate degree.
- Experience coaching early-stage or rural businesses with
limited access to capital, networks, or technical assistance.
- Working familiarity with the Business Model Canvas.
- International Business Innovation Association's Entrepreneur
Center Manager or equivalent certification.
- Project Management Institute Certified Associate in Project
Management or equivalent certification.
- Coaching certification or relevant training in business
coaching methodologies.
- Grant or proposal writing experience.
- Five (5) years of entrepreneurial or intrapreneurial management
experience.
Working Conditions: Normal office environment. Some travel
required.
How to Apply: Attach your cover letter and resume.
Applications missing required documents will not be considered. The
system will allow you to attach these documents electronically. If
you have questions about the position or the posting, please
contact search chair Tom Hopper at
hoppert@gvsu.edu. If you need technical
assistance, please contact Human Resources at
hro@gvsu.edu.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United
States and must not require sponsorship now or in the
future.
Application Deadline: Application closes September 10 at
11:59pm, 2026. This posting may be closed at any time at the
discretion of the University.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to
perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Must have the physical
stamina to work long hours and/or more than 5 days per week. The
requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill
and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to
enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
functions. The information contained in this job description is for
compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended by
the ADA Amendment Act (2008), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
of 1973, and other applicable federal and state laws that prohibit
discrimination on the basis of disability. GVSU will provide
reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with
disabilities upon request. See
www.gvsu.edu/equalopportunity/. TDD
Callers: Call Michigan Relay Center at 711 (in State) or
1-800-833-7833 (out of State).
Grand Valley State University is an Antidiscrimination/Equal
Opportunity Employer, which includes providing equal opportunity
for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
University policy extends protections to additional
identities.
To apply, visit https://gvsu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/careers/job/Muskegon-MI/Associate-Director-of-Entrepreneurial-Services---Muskegon-Innovation-Hub_R104878
je-d4c9cd05366d4c5cab2c8dd65e5e94dd