Inside Higher Ed
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 director inspires, educates, and empowers the next generation of Black women entrepreneurs. They manage innovative programming, build strategic partnerships, and mentor students, working collaboratively with internal stakeholders, Spelman Alumnae, and Atlanta’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
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.
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.
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)).
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.
Continuously assess national best practices in entrepreneurship education, particularly related to women and minority entrepreneurs.
Evaluate program outcomes using student feedback and engagement metrics.
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.
Collaboration & relationship building – adept at cultivating strong partnerships across departments and with external stakeholders.
Effective communication – strong written and verbal communication with experience presenting to diverse audiences.
Student‑centered leadership – committed to developing Black college women entrepreneurs, experienced in creating inclusive, empowering programs.
Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree required (preferred degrees in Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Economics, Innovation, or related field).
Minimum 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 holding a key leadership role in an entrepreneurial enterprise.
At least 2–3 years of experience in program management, student development, or higher‑education administration.
Experience working with diverse communities.
Proven ability to build partnerships with external organizations (e.g., accelerators, investors, startups).
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree is strongly preferred.
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.
Physical Demands Regular duties: sit, walk, use hands to handle office supplies, operate computer and other office equipment, talk, hear. Occasionally: stand, stoop, climb, taste, smell, lift up to 15 pounds. Vision: close, distance, color, 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
EEO Statement Spelman College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are a smoke‑free campus.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Position Summary The Spelpreneur Director is responsible for leading the strategy, design, and implementation of Spelpreneur, a Spelman College co‑curricular entrepreneurship initiative. The director inspires, educates, and empowers the next generation of Black women entrepreneurs. They manage innovative programming, build strategic partnerships, and mentor students, working collaboratively with internal stakeholders, Spelman Alumnae, and Atlanta’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
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.
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.
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)).
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.
Continuously assess national best practices in entrepreneurship education, particularly related to women and minority entrepreneurs.
Evaluate program outcomes using student feedback and engagement metrics.
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.
Collaboration & relationship building – adept at cultivating strong partnerships across departments and with external stakeholders.
Effective communication – strong written and verbal communication with experience presenting to diverse audiences.
Student‑centered leadership – committed to developing Black college women entrepreneurs, experienced in creating inclusive, empowering programs.
Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree required (preferred degrees in Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Economics, Innovation, or related field).
Minimum 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 holding a key leadership role in an entrepreneurial enterprise.
At least 2–3 years of experience in program management, student development, or higher‑education administration.
Experience working with diverse communities.
Proven ability to build partnerships with external organizations (e.g., accelerators, investors, startups).
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree is strongly preferred.
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.
Physical Demands Regular duties: sit, walk, use hands to handle office supplies, operate computer and other office equipment, talk, hear. Occasionally: stand, stoop, climb, taste, smell, lift up to 15 pounds. Vision: close, distance, color, 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
EEO Statement Spelman College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are a smoke‑free campus.
#J-18808-Ljbffr