- The ideal candidate will provide leadership for the design, delivery, and quality of Business Development Services across all programs of the Innovation and Incubation Center, including the Design Your Future Integrated Innovation Pipeline Program (DYF-IPP). The Lead will co-design the BDS curriculum and methodology, lead the onboarding of startups and ventures, and oversee training, coaching, mentoring, and ensure that advisory services are delivered to a high standard, while remaining hands-on in training and coaching entrepreneurs. This position will report to the Director, Innovation and Incubation Center.
This is a three-year fixed term contract.
BDS Leadership and Quality Oversight
- Provide leadership for the planning, coordination, and delivery of Business Development Services (BDS) across all programs of the Innovation and Incubation Center, including DYF-IPP.
- Oversee the quality of BDS delivery, ensuring that training, mentoring, coaching, and advisory services adhere to agreed timelines, standards, and the Center's methodology.
- Collaborate with the Center's other Leads to ensure BDS is well integrated with other functions and programs.
- Advise the Director on BDS priorities, resourcing, and emerging needs.
BDS Curriculum and Methodology Design
- Design the BDS curriculum and training content for startups, and student entrepreneurs.
- Design the mentoring and coaching methodology used across the Center's programs.
- Review and continuously improve the curriculum and methodology based on participant, mentor, and program feedback.
Startup and MSME Onboarding and Pitch Evaluation
- Lead the registration of startups and ventures, including registration, induction, allocation of pathways, and trainings.
- Lead the evaluation and scoring of presentations or pitches made by entrepreneurs or startups, providing feedback and ultimately determining the winners.
Training, Coaching, and Business Advisory Delivery
- Develop and deliver tailored training sessions, workshops, and development programs designed explicitly for startups at the Center.
- Provide coaching and mentorship to assigned mentees according to the agreed schedule.
- Provide business advisory services to staff, faculty, students, and alumni entrepreneurs on business modeling, product development, financial planning, operational strategy, and scaling strategies.
- Oversee the guidance of allocated mentees in managing seed funds, including planning, budgeting, and tracking expenses, to ensure responsible use of the seed fund.
BDS Performance Tracking and Reporting
- Track key BDS metrics, and analyze results to monitor participant progress and the effectiveness of BDS delivery.
- Make adjustments to the BDS approach, curriculum, and methodology based on the results, and recommend changes to the Director as needed.
- Prepare and consolidate session reports, case studies, and other documentation as and when required.
- Identify entrepreneurs' needs for expert, investor, or funding linkages and refer them to the relevant Lead or team, and share BDS findings and case studies as input to the Center's other functions.
Qualifications and Experience for the role
- Bachelor's degree in business administration, economics, international development, or a related field.
- A minimum of 8 years of experience in entrepreneurship development and support, business advisory services, or economic development, with a focus on MSMEs or entrepreneurship training and facilitation.
- Proven experience in Business Development Services (BDS), encompassing mentoring and coaching of Micro and Small Enterprises (MSMEs).
- Successfully mentored and coached at least 100 mentees, with a portfolio that includes at least two case studies highlighting impactful outcomes.
Competencies required for this role
- Demonstrated experience in designing training curricula and mentoring or coaching methodologies for entrepreneurs.
- Demonstrated ability to lead, coordinate, and quality-assure the work of mentors, trainers, and multi-disciplinary teams, including those engaged on a need basis.
- Experience in startup or MSME mobilization, onboarding, and program management, including monitoring and evaluation of entrepreneurship programs.
- Excellent communication skills to convey training content effectively, engage with participants and stakeholders, and compile meaningful reports.
- Strong analytical skills to assess business needs and develop customized solutions for mentees.