Spelman College
Position Title:
Director, Spelpreneur Position Summary:
The Spelpreneur Director is responsible for leading the strategy, design, and implementation of Spelpreneur, a Spelman College co-curricular entrepreneurship initiative. The Spelpreneur Director, a dynamic leader with proven entrepreneurial experience, serves to inspire, educate, and empower the next generation of Black women entrepreneurs. The Director will manage innovative programming, build strategic partnerships, and mentor students, working collaboratively with both internal stakeholders, Spelman Alumnae and Atlanta’s vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The Spelpreneur Director reports to the Executive Director of the Center for Black Entrepreneurship (CBE). Spelpreneur is a critical component of the comprehensive entrepreneurial support that the CBE provides to Spelman students.
The mission of The Center for Black Entrepreneurship is to create a well-equipped cohort of Black entrepreneurs with skills and talents to better navigate the gap between entrepreneurs and capital and commercial markets. Additionally, the CBE wants to instill entrepreneurial thinking in all students at Spelman College and Morehouse College and to create a community of business practitioners with a lifelong commitment to achieving social and economic progress through innovation. The CBE approach to developing the entrepreneurial mindset is both broad and encompasses both the undergraduate minor (across both campuses) and an online offering for adult learners. For students interested in launching or investing in ventures, the CBE offers a suite of co-curricular programs, events, and other resources including fellowships.
This is a grant-funded position.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities :
1. Program Leadership and Strategy Develop and execute a strategic annual plan to increase student exposure to entrepreneurial fundamentals. Oversee the implementation of core program components:
EDUCATE Series – 10–12 weekly instructional sessions on foundational business concepts. INSPIRE Series – Entrepreneur Chats, Speed Mentoring, and curated Road Trips. EMPOWER 10-Day Startup Competition – Manage contractor production, mentor recruitment, judging process, and outcomes. Ability to work evenings and weekends, as needed, to support events.
2. Student Engagement and Development
Recruit and mentor students throughout their entrepreneurial journey. Foster a supportive, inclusive environment with programming tailored to Black college women. Identify and manage incentives to increase student participation and satisfaction. 3. Internal and External Collaboration
Coordinate with Spelman’s Communications, Spelman Technology Services (STS), Institutional Advancement, and Alumnae Engagement teams for logistics, promotion, and support. Partner with the Arthur M. Blank Innovation Lab and academic departments (e.g., Chemistry, Economics, Computer Science) to extend classroom learning into business ventures. Coordinate co-curricular programs with the CBE Student Program Manager and Director of Morehouse Student Initiatives to synergize offerings. Cultivate relationships with external entrepreneurship organizations (e.g., Create-X, ATDC, Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE)). 4. Program Operations
Recruit and supervise Spelpreneur Intern(s) for communication and administrative support. Direct creation of promotional materials in collaboration with graphic designers. Manage and track program budget, registration, attendance, and incentives. 5. Research and Evaluation
Continuously assess national best practices in entrepreneurship education, particularly related to women and minority entrepreneurs. Evaluate program outcomes using student feedback and engagement metrics. Additional Responsibilities of Spelpreneur Director
Prepare an annual program report highlighting impact and opportunities for growth. Attend weekly CBE team meetings and monthly AUC entrepreneurial ecosystem meetings. Provide support for the broader Spelman entrepreneurship ecosystem including the AUC Summer Accelerator and TILE programs.
Key Requirements:
Proven entrepreneurial experience: founding, leading, or scaling a for-profit venture. Demonstrated proficiency in:
Business idea-validation Customer discovery Product development and Innovation Strategic business execution and market traction
Deep connection to the Atlanta entrepreneurship ecosystem ,
Actively engaged in Atlanta’s entrepreneurial landscape, including relationships with founders, investors, accelerators, incubators, and entrepreneurship support organizations. Ability to bring entrepreneurs and industry professionals as guest speakers and mentors into weekly programming. Able to connect Spelman students with mentors, speakers, resources, and partnership opportunities across the region.
Core Competencies
Strategic Execution & Project Management : Proven ability to design, lead, and deliver complex, multi-stakeholder programs on time and within scope. Skilled in managing competing priorities, timelines, and deliverables. Collaboration & Relationship Building:
Adept at cultivating strong partnerships across departments and with external stakeholders to drive shared goals and long-term impact. Effective Communication:
Strong written and verbal communicator with experience presenting to diverse audiences and crafting compelling, audience-specific messaging. Student-Centered Leadership:
Committed to the development of Black college women aspiring to entrepreneurship. Experienced in creating inclusive, empowering programs tailored to their unique needs. Skilled mentor, offering timely coaching and support to promote personal and professional growth.
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree required, preference for degrees in Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Economics, Innovation, or a related field. Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in entrepreneurship, business development, innovation management, or a related field.
Demonstrated success in founding, launching, or scaling a for-profit venture or playing a key leadership role in an entrepreneurial enterprise.
At least 2–3 years of experience in program management, student development, or higher education administration, preferably in a college/university or youth development setting.Experience working with or within diverse communities.
Proven ability to build partnerships with external organizations (e.g., accelerators, investors, startups).
Preferred Qualifications:
Master’s degree is strongly preferred, particularly in Business Administration (MBA), Higher Education, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, or related discipline.
Passion for and commitment to advancing opportunities for women entrepreneurs. Familiarity with innovation and product development tools, platforms, and ecosystems. Ability to work evenings and/or weekends when needed to support programming Certifications, Licenses, Restrictions :
None Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to: sit, walk, use hands to handle office supplies, operate computer and other office equipment, talk, and hear. The employee is frequently required to: reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to: stand, stoop, climb, taste and smell, and lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus. Shift:
Days % Travel Required:
0% Full Time/Part Time:
Full-time Work Location/Schedule::
This position requires onsite work and is not eligible for remote work. FLSA:
Exempt Number of Vacancies:
1 Posting Number:
SC0816P Posting Open Date:
08/01/2025 Open Until Filled:
No EEO Statement:
Spelman College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are a smoke-free campus.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Director, Spelpreneur Position Summary:
The Spelpreneur Director is responsible for leading the strategy, design, and implementation of Spelpreneur, a Spelman College co-curricular entrepreneurship initiative. The Spelpreneur Director, a dynamic leader with proven entrepreneurial experience, serves to inspire, educate, and empower the next generation of Black women entrepreneurs. The Director will manage innovative programming, build strategic partnerships, and mentor students, working collaboratively with both internal stakeholders, Spelman Alumnae and Atlanta’s vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The Spelpreneur Director reports to the Executive Director of the Center for Black Entrepreneurship (CBE). Spelpreneur is a critical component of the comprehensive entrepreneurial support that the CBE provides to Spelman students.
The mission of The Center for Black Entrepreneurship is to create a well-equipped cohort of Black entrepreneurs with skills and talents to better navigate the gap between entrepreneurs and capital and commercial markets. Additionally, the CBE wants to instill entrepreneurial thinking in all students at Spelman College and Morehouse College and to create a community of business practitioners with a lifelong commitment to achieving social and economic progress through innovation. The CBE approach to developing the entrepreneurial mindset is both broad and encompasses both the undergraduate minor (across both campuses) and an online offering for adult learners. For students interested in launching or investing in ventures, the CBE offers a suite of co-curricular programs, events, and other resources including fellowships.
This is a grant-funded position.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities :
1. Program Leadership and Strategy Develop and execute a strategic annual plan to increase student exposure to entrepreneurial fundamentals. Oversee the implementation of core program components:
EDUCATE Series – 10–12 weekly instructional sessions on foundational business concepts. INSPIRE Series – Entrepreneur Chats, Speed Mentoring, and curated Road Trips. EMPOWER 10-Day Startup Competition – Manage contractor production, mentor recruitment, judging process, and outcomes. Ability to work evenings and weekends, as needed, to support events.
2. Student Engagement and Development
Recruit and mentor students throughout their entrepreneurial journey. Foster a supportive, inclusive environment with programming tailored to Black college women. Identify and manage incentives to increase student participation and satisfaction. 3. Internal and External Collaboration
Coordinate with Spelman’s Communications, Spelman Technology Services (STS), Institutional Advancement, and Alumnae Engagement teams for logistics, promotion, and support. Partner with the Arthur M. Blank Innovation Lab and academic departments (e.g., Chemistry, Economics, Computer Science) to extend classroom learning into business ventures. Coordinate co-curricular programs with the CBE Student Program Manager and Director of Morehouse Student Initiatives to synergize offerings. Cultivate relationships with external entrepreneurship organizations (e.g., Create-X, ATDC, Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE)). 4. Program Operations
Recruit and supervise Spelpreneur Intern(s) for communication and administrative support. Direct creation of promotional materials in collaboration with graphic designers. Manage and track program budget, registration, attendance, and incentives. 5. Research and Evaluation
Continuously assess national best practices in entrepreneurship education, particularly related to women and minority entrepreneurs. Evaluate program outcomes using student feedback and engagement metrics. Additional Responsibilities of Spelpreneur Director
Prepare an annual program report highlighting impact and opportunities for growth. Attend weekly CBE team meetings and monthly AUC entrepreneurial ecosystem meetings. Provide support for the broader Spelman entrepreneurship ecosystem including the AUC Summer Accelerator and TILE programs.
Key Requirements:
Proven entrepreneurial experience: founding, leading, or scaling a for-profit venture. Demonstrated proficiency in:
Business idea-validation Customer discovery Product development and Innovation Strategic business execution and market traction
Deep connection to the Atlanta entrepreneurship ecosystem ,
Actively engaged in Atlanta’s entrepreneurial landscape, including relationships with founders, investors, accelerators, incubators, and entrepreneurship support organizations. Ability to bring entrepreneurs and industry professionals as guest speakers and mentors into weekly programming. Able to connect Spelman students with mentors, speakers, resources, and partnership opportunities across the region.
Core Competencies
Strategic Execution & Project Management : Proven ability to design, lead, and deliver complex, multi-stakeholder programs on time and within scope. Skilled in managing competing priorities, timelines, and deliverables. Collaboration & Relationship Building:
Adept at cultivating strong partnerships across departments and with external stakeholders to drive shared goals and long-term impact. Effective Communication:
Strong written and verbal communicator with experience presenting to diverse audiences and crafting compelling, audience-specific messaging. Student-Centered Leadership:
Committed to the development of Black college women aspiring to entrepreneurship. Experienced in creating inclusive, empowering programs tailored to their unique needs. Skilled mentor, offering timely coaching and support to promote personal and professional growth.
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree required, preference for degrees in Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Economics, Innovation, or a related field. Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in entrepreneurship, business development, innovation management, or a related field.
Demonstrated success in founding, launching, or scaling a for-profit venture or playing a key leadership role in an entrepreneurial enterprise.
At least 2–3 years of experience in program management, student development, or higher education administration, preferably in a college/university or youth development setting.Experience working with or within diverse communities.
Proven ability to build partnerships with external organizations (e.g., accelerators, investors, startups).
Preferred Qualifications:
Master’s degree is strongly preferred, particularly in Business Administration (MBA), Higher Education, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, or related discipline.
Passion for and commitment to advancing opportunities for women entrepreneurs. Familiarity with innovation and product development tools, platforms, and ecosystems. Ability to work evenings and/or weekends when needed to support programming Certifications, Licenses, Restrictions :
None Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to: sit, walk, use hands to handle office supplies, operate computer and other office equipment, talk, and hear. The employee is frequently required to: reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to: stand, stoop, climb, taste and smell, and lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus. Shift:
Days % Travel Required:
0% Full Time/Part Time:
Full-time Work Location/Schedule::
This position requires onsite work and is not eligible for remote work. FLSA:
Exempt Number of Vacancies:
1 Posting Number:
SC0816P Posting Open Date:
08/01/2025 Open Until Filled:
No EEO Statement:
Spelman College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are a smoke-free campus.
#J-18808-Ljbffr