Westfield State University
Director, Supply Chain Innovation Center and Business Incubator (SCICBI)
Westfield State University, University Park, Illinois, United States, 60484
Description
Governors State University (GovState) is seeking to hire a Director of the Supply Chain Innovation Center and Business Incubator (SCICBI) for the College of Business, Dean's office to be responsible for the strategic leadership, operations, and external partnerships of the SCICBI. As GovState’s designated Illinois Innovation Network (IIN) hub, SCICBI serves as a key driver of innovation, workforce development, research, and business incubation in the Chicago metropolitan area. The Director will advance SCICBI’s 2025-2028 Strategic Plan, ensuring the integration of SCICBI with the College of Business (COB) and fostering meaningful engagement with industry partners, faculty, students, and entrepreneurs. The position requires independent judgment, strategic vision, and a commitment to economic and workforce development.
Essential Responsibilities 50% – Strategic Leadership & Integration with COB
Lead and execute SCICBI’s 2025-2028 Strategic Plan, ensuring alignment with GovState’s vision and priorities. Drive SCICBI’s integration with COB through faculty collaboration on curriculum, research, and student engagement. Develop high-impact learning and development programs, including training and professional certification programs (ASCM, CSCMP, Lean Six Sigma, etc.). Expand SCICBI’s research and thought leadership by supporting faculty-led industry research, white papers, and student involvement in consulting projects. Oversee the SCICBI, positioning it as a hub for entrepreneurial activity and industry collaboration. Develop collaborative spaces for entrepreneurs to cultivate innovative ideas with the support of mentors and consultants through GovState’s network and faculty expertise across the university. Develop partnerships with external incubators, accelerators, and funding organizations to support early-stage ventures. Foster interdisciplinary faculty-student collaborations to drive innovation, commercialization, and startup growth. Organize entrepreneurial competitions, networking events, and incubation programs for GovState students, faculty, and external entrepreneurs. Manage SCICBI’s operations, staffing, and budget while ensuring financial sustainability and growth.
35% – Industry Engagement, Fundraising & Partnerships
Work with the Dean of the College of Business, Office of Institutional Advancement, and the SCICBI Advisory Board to explore and develop potential partnerships, alliances, and funding sources. Collaborate with the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research to identify and secure funding opportunities, including grants, corporate sponsorships and external partnerships. Attend SCICBI Advisory Board meetings and provide periodic reports on SCICBI’s progress, initiatives, and funding efforts. Build and strengthen strategic partnerships with industry leaders, government agencies, and economic development organizations to enhance SCICBI’s reach and impact. Represent SCICBI at professional conferences, networking events, and economic development initiatives to foster collaborations and attract external support. Supervise reporting requirements for the Illinois Innovation Network (IIN) and other key stakeholders to ensure transparency and accountability. 10% – Entrepreneurship & Innovation Initiatives
Strengthen SCICBI’s role as a catalyst for entrepreneurship and innovation by enhancing programs that support startups, faculty research commercialization, and student-led ventures. Expand opportunities for faculty and student engagement in consulting projects, industry research, and business incubation initiatives. Foster a culture of innovation through partnerships, experiential learning programs, and networking opportunities with business leaders and investors. 5% – Other Duties
Lead special projects as assigned by the Dean of the College of Business. Contribute to university-wide innovation initiatives and economic development efforts. Other related duties assigned by the Dean of the College of Business.
Salary Range: $80,000.00 to $87,000.00. This is a non-unionized position. Required and Preferred Qualifications Minimum Required Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in business, economics, supply chain, or a related field from an accredited institution and 10+ years of business-related experience. Minimum of five (5) years of leadership experience in business incubation, workforce development, economic development, or industry consulting. Experience managing innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives, including incubators, accelerators, or commercialization projects. Extensive experience in supply chain/logistics, business incubation, or economic development. Demonstrated success in securing funding (grants, sponsorships, partnerships) and managing external stakeholder relationships. Demonstrated ability to integrate industry partnerships with academic programs and create experiential learning opportunities for students.
Desired Qualifications:
Master’s degree in business, economics, supply chain, or a related field from an accredited institution and 8+ years of business-related experience. Broad experience prospecting for consulting and learning and development engagements. In-depth understanding of innovation development and commercialization process. Established connections with business, government, and economic development leaders in Chicagoland in general, and Will County in particular. Experience in corporate training, professional certifications, and workforce development programs. Industry certifications (e.g., Lean Six Sigma, APICS, CSCMP). Familiarity with Illinois Innovation Network (IIN) programs and initiatives. For more details regarding civil service classifications, visit:
www.sucss.illinois.gov
REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS: Cover LetterResumeList of Professional ReferencesCollege/University Transcript
Supplemental InformationFor consideration, applicants are required to attach the following: 1: All College/University Transcripts. 2: Online Application – Must be fully completed, include all dates of employment, employment status (full-time or if part-time, include percentages), job duties and responsibilities (full details). 3: Cover Letter. 4: Resume. 5: A list of three Professional References (We will only contact your references if you are a finalist). RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: Illinois residency required within 180 days of the hire date. CREDENTIAL ASSESSMENT EXAM DETAILS: This vacancy involves a Credential Assessment Examination which consist of a review and rating of the applicants Education, Experience, Licenses, and other qualifications. Applicants are required to provide electronic documentation as listed above to verify that the minimum qualifications for this position has been met. VETERAN’S PREFERENCE POINTS: Veterans may be eligible to receive additional points on a passing final examination score. To determine eligibility, submit one of the following documents to the Department of Human Resources: 1: Department of Defense – DD214 / DD215 2: National Guard – NGB22 Form 3: Discharge Orders 4: Reserves – DD256 Discharge Certificate Note: Documentation must be received by the closing date of this posting. #J-18808-Ljbffr
Lead and execute SCICBI’s 2025-2028 Strategic Plan, ensuring alignment with GovState’s vision and priorities. Drive SCICBI’s integration with COB through faculty collaboration on curriculum, research, and student engagement. Develop high-impact learning and development programs, including training and professional certification programs (ASCM, CSCMP, Lean Six Sigma, etc.). Expand SCICBI’s research and thought leadership by supporting faculty-led industry research, white papers, and student involvement in consulting projects. Oversee the SCICBI, positioning it as a hub for entrepreneurial activity and industry collaboration. Develop collaborative spaces for entrepreneurs to cultivate innovative ideas with the support of mentors and consultants through GovState’s network and faculty expertise across the university. Develop partnerships with external incubators, accelerators, and funding organizations to support early-stage ventures. Foster interdisciplinary faculty-student collaborations to drive innovation, commercialization, and startup growth. Organize entrepreneurial competitions, networking events, and incubation programs for GovState students, faculty, and external entrepreneurs. Manage SCICBI’s operations, staffing, and budget while ensuring financial sustainability and growth.
35% – Industry Engagement, Fundraising & Partnerships
Work with the Dean of the College of Business, Office of Institutional Advancement, and the SCICBI Advisory Board to explore and develop potential partnerships, alliances, and funding sources. Collaborate with the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research to identify and secure funding opportunities, including grants, corporate sponsorships and external partnerships. Attend SCICBI Advisory Board meetings and provide periodic reports on SCICBI’s progress, initiatives, and funding efforts. Build and strengthen strategic partnerships with industry leaders, government agencies, and economic development organizations to enhance SCICBI’s reach and impact. Represent SCICBI at professional conferences, networking events, and economic development initiatives to foster collaborations and attract external support. Supervise reporting requirements for the Illinois Innovation Network (IIN) and other key stakeholders to ensure transparency and accountability. 10% – Entrepreneurship & Innovation Initiatives
Strengthen SCICBI’s role as a catalyst for entrepreneurship and innovation by enhancing programs that support startups, faculty research commercialization, and student-led ventures. Expand opportunities for faculty and student engagement in consulting projects, industry research, and business incubation initiatives. Foster a culture of innovation through partnerships, experiential learning programs, and networking opportunities with business leaders and investors. 5% – Other Duties
Lead special projects as assigned by the Dean of the College of Business. Contribute to university-wide innovation initiatives and economic development efforts. Other related duties assigned by the Dean of the College of Business.
Salary Range: $80,000.00 to $87,000.00. This is a non-unionized position. Required and Preferred Qualifications Minimum Required Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in business, economics, supply chain, or a related field from an accredited institution and 10+ years of business-related experience. Minimum of five (5) years of leadership experience in business incubation, workforce development, economic development, or industry consulting. Experience managing innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives, including incubators, accelerators, or commercialization projects. Extensive experience in supply chain/logistics, business incubation, or economic development. Demonstrated success in securing funding (grants, sponsorships, partnerships) and managing external stakeholder relationships. Demonstrated ability to integrate industry partnerships with academic programs and create experiential learning opportunities for students.
Desired Qualifications:
Master’s degree in business, economics, supply chain, or a related field from an accredited institution and 8+ years of business-related experience. Broad experience prospecting for consulting and learning and development engagements. In-depth understanding of innovation development and commercialization process. Established connections with business, government, and economic development leaders in Chicagoland in general, and Will County in particular. Experience in corporate training, professional certifications, and workforce development programs. Industry certifications (e.g., Lean Six Sigma, APICS, CSCMP). Familiarity with Illinois Innovation Network (IIN) programs and initiatives. For more details regarding civil service classifications, visit:
www.sucss.illinois.gov
REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS: Cover LetterResumeList of Professional ReferencesCollege/University Transcript
Supplemental InformationFor consideration, applicants are required to attach the following: 1: All College/University Transcripts. 2: Online Application – Must be fully completed, include all dates of employment, employment status (full-time or if part-time, include percentages), job duties and responsibilities (full details). 3: Cover Letter. 4: Resume. 5: A list of three Professional References (We will only contact your references if you are a finalist). RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: Illinois residency required within 180 days of the hire date. CREDENTIAL ASSESSMENT EXAM DETAILS: This vacancy involves a Credential Assessment Examination which consist of a review and rating of the applicants Education, Experience, Licenses, and other qualifications. Applicants are required to provide electronic documentation as listed above to verify that the minimum qualifications for this position has been met. VETERAN’S PREFERENCE POINTS: Veterans may be eligible to receive additional points on a passing final examination score. To determine eligibility, submit one of the following documents to the Department of Human Resources: 1: Department of Defense – DD214 / DD215 2: National Guard – NGB22 Form 3: Discharge Orders 4: Reserves – DD256 Discharge Certificate Note: Documentation must be received by the closing date of this posting. #J-18808-Ljbffr