DIRECTOR, INNOVATION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTER (IEC)

As the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center (IEC) is a key business unit within ASB, the Director, IEC will oversee all major services, programs, and initiatives of the department. Your primary responsibilities include developing and implementing strategies to foster entrepreneurship, drive innovation, and cultivate a culture of creativity and problem-solving. You will manage center operations, collaborate with stakeholders, and provide strategic guidance to support entrepreneurs and innovators. Additionally, you will lead ASBhive/IEC programming and nurture an innovative ecosystem.

• Develop and execute a comprehensive strategic plan for the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center and creative problem-solving within ASB and the wider community.
• Provide visionary leadership to inspire and motivate a diverse team, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration and excellence.
• Identify emerging trends, opportunities, and challenges in the entrepreneurship and innovation landscape to inform strategic decision-making and enhance the ASBhive/IEC programming and activities, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and objectives.

• Design and implement comprehensive entrepreneurship programs, services, and resources to support start-ups and other small businesses at various stages, including:
• offering courses to ASB Master’s students & stakeholders in Innovation, entrepreneurship and hands-on prototyping, some of which would be integrated and interspersed with other curriculum components at ASB.
• delivering bootcamps, accelerator & incubator programs, and experiential learning curricula.
• Foster an environment of innovation and creativity by designing and delivering high-quality IEC-related development programs and activities using a variety of methods e.g. workshops, seminars, briefings, pitches, accelerators, hackathons, incubators, action learning sets, e-learning, and other educational initiatives.
• Collaborate with external partners, industry experts, and mentors to provide guidance and mentorship to entrepreneurs (including guiding ASB students & stakeholders for internally generated entrepreneurial ideas and action learning projects).
• Lead and report on IEC program progress and review, monitor, and evaluate the quality and efficacy of the IEC process so that there is a range of cost-effective development available for all students and stakeholders.
• Implement and monitor best practices in the IEC program and contribute to ad-hoc Innovation & Entrepreneurship projects as directed by the CEO, DCEO and/or senior management (EMC).

• Oversee the recruitment and matching process for students in IEC activities.
• Coach and influence students in IEC programs including some teaching.
• Ensure effective communication with students & stakeholders and manage program administration and scheduling.

• Co-facilitate with faculty in identifying potential partners for IEC projects and mentoring IEC projects.
• Collaborate with IEC Facilitators and Mentors.
• Navigate applied research and provide information and reports to faculty and management for IEC purposes.
• Work with Exec Ed opportunistically on corporate hackathons, simulation games, innovation & entrepreneurship exercises, and other revenue-generating activities.
• Fundraising for Social Impact Challenges and other IEC activities.

• Collaborate with other ASB Departments such as Executive Education, Research Centers, Action Learning, Corporate Engagement, etc. to integrate entrepreneurship and innovation principles across ASB curriculum programs & activities (Master’s Degree, Executive Education, ACE, Research, and others).
• Cultivate and maintain strategic relationships with key stakeholders, including local and regional governments, industry leaders, corporate partners, venture capitalists, and community organizations to further reach and visibility of ASB.
• Represent ASB at relevant conferences, events, and networking opportunities to promote the organization’s mission and attract potential partners and investors.

Provide effective leadership and management to a diverse team, including hiring, training, mentoring, and performance evaluation.

• Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment that encourages creativity, innovation, and professional growth.
• Allocate resources, establish work priorities, and ensure efficient and effective use of budget and facilities.

• Develop and implement metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) to track the center’s impact and success.
• Prepare regular reports and presentations for senior leadership and stakeholders, highlighting achievements, challenges, and recommendations.

• Construct and maintain the IEC microsite and databases as a source of updated and cutting-edge information.

• Plan and strategize IEC-related events and conferences to promote the ASB/IEC brand and clear value-add in this space.
• Consult and collaborate with speakers, contributors, and mentors for various IEC programs.

• Perform any other duty or task as required by the Organisation as the job evolves.

• Relevant industry experience in Innovation & Entrepreneurship.
• Master’s Degree in relevant field (desirable).
• Excellent analytical, writing, and editing skills.
• Extensive understanding of international business, industry, and management issues in Asia, as well as regional Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Start-up trends in business, government, and society.
• Extensive experience in teaching entrepreneurship and innovation, with strong familiarity with education matters, particularly in Asia.
• Strong knowledge of entrepreneurship principles, business development, and start-up support services.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and engage multiple domains (either across departments or between stakeholders).
• Strong interpersonal skills with internal and external stakeholders, including government agencies.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to analyze complex situations and make data-driven decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and seize opportunities, as well as adapt to evolving trends and technologies.
• Proficiency in project management and resource allocation.
• Experience in public speaking and representing organizations at conferences and events.
• Proven experience in leading and managing teams in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Business-level English fluency, knowledge of Southeast Asian languages is a plus.
• Comfortable, confident, and articulate with faculty, C-suite business leaders, and high-ranking government officials.
• Capacity for high-volume work, and can manage issues straddling multiple domains (either across departments or between stakeholders).