Academic Professional, Franklin CREATE! Director

Academic Professional, Franklin CREATE! Director

The Franklin College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Georgia seeks an entrepreneurial leader with a strong record of startup and innovation experience to serve as Director of the newly launched Franklin CREATE! initiative. This applied experiential learning program fosters innovation, entrepreneurial thinking, and market engagement for students across all disciplines in the College.

• Open‑rank Academic Professional position with both administrative and instructional responsibilities.
• 12‑month, non‑tenure track appointment beginning January 1 – April 1 , 2026.
• Reporting to the Senior Associate Dean and serving as a key member of the Office of Academic Innovation.
• Collaborates closely with the UGA Innovation District, UGA Entrepreneurship Program, advisory boards, and the broader startup, funding, and venture capital communities.

• Define the initiative’s roadmap and strategy in partnership with the Senior Associate Dean and project leaders.
• Fundraise in collaboration with the Franklin Office of Development and Alumni Relations.
• Supervise direct reports, including the program manager and additional staff.
• Serve as the primary liaison with academic units, faculty, and students.
• Manage the program’s budget and steward sustainable growth to serve students across disciplines.
• Promote the program in partnership with the Franklin Office of Marketing and Communications.

• Develop and deliver educational experiences with Franklin faculty, including:
  • Core courses such as Startup Lab (customer discovery, market validation, business modeling) and Make (concept‑to‑prototype development).
  • Additional curricular opportunities through treks, study‑away, and alumni engagement.
• Teach up to 6 credit hours annually in Franklin CREATE! courses.

• Hold a terminal degree in Arts and Sciences, Business, Engineering, Education, or related field OR equivalent professional experience with a record of entrepreneurial success.
• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in entrepreneurial work, program management, or innovation‑focused roles (higher ed, nonprofit, government, or industry).
• Applicants with a BA or non‑terminal master’s degree must be approved for a terminal degree exception before hire.

• Demonstrated ability to manage complex operations with multiple stakeholders.
• Strong organizational, problem‑solving, and project management skills.
• Evidence of clear goal setting, audience engagement, and measurable outcomes.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• Background in founding or investing in entrepreneurial ventures.
• Record of bringing a technology/product from inception to market.
• Successful record of raising venture financing for early‑stage companies.
• Ability to lead accelerators, incubators, or similar organizations.

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb).