Director

New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) seeks to appoint a Director of StartAD reporting to the Managing Director of StartAD.

startAD is an Abu Dhabi-based global accelerator steering seed-stage technology startups to launch, develop, and scale their ventures. startAD’s efforts are focused across three main pillars; developing entrepreneurial talent within the university including students and faculty research for commercialization; local capacity building through incubating UAE startups and offering community training and workshops; and corporate innovation through a global sprint accelerator program. startAD is a complex organization with several flagship programs including a corporate accelerator, youth incubation program, and technology workshops in our prototyping lab facilities. startAD also manages a seed fund to invest into early stage startups that are based in the UAE or have participated in startAD accelerator programs.

The Director is responsible for executing the overall mission and vision of startAD to help the transformation of the UAE into a knowledge-based economy through building entrepreneurial capacity. The Director is responsible for leading a growing team and developing the long-term growth strategy of startAD. This role is an outward facing role responsible for representing the organization and providing thought leadership. The role is also responsible for leading engagement with startAD’s key stakeholders and local and global partners.

The candidate is expected to provide leadership, direction and guidance for startAD’s core programs and establish key metrics and milestones for short- and long-term goals. The candidate is further responsible for developing and implementing all operational and financial strategies for startAD and leading business development efforts. The position is further responsible for managing relationships internal and external stakeholders and preparing reports for various board meetings.

The candidate will also serve as an educator and mentor for startAD participants with the ability to evaluate ideas and business models and identify commercial opportunities for growth and improvement.

The Director is further responsible for managing the investment processes and related reporting structures, budgets, sourcing of potential startups companies to invest in, due diligence, and presenting to Investment Committee.

Key Responsibilities:

• Work closely with the Managing Director in strategic planning and continuing development of overall mission, vision and planning of short- and long-term goals for startAD
• Lead in business development efforts to achieve revenue targets in collaborations and partnerships with external organizations on new programs and initiatives that are aligned with the overall strategy of startAD
• Create and implement systems, metrics and processes for reviewing and analyzing the effectiveness of startAD programs and initiatives
• Lead in building and maintaining effective relationships and act as a liaison with other NYUAD departments and programs, governmental agencies, corporate partners, community, and other stakeholders to increase awareness of startAD
• Design, develop and manage various educational and community-based programs, activities, projects, and other key initiatives in line with the vision of startAD
• Develop collaborations and ongoing special projects with NYU GNU and other local and global partners to promote innovation and entrepreneurship within startAD network.
• Develop and manage annual budget for startAD programs and activities
• Communicate and coordinate directly with NYU GNU centers to develop best practices for growth of startAD programs and initiatives
• Responsible for identifying trainers and mentors for startAD core programs and providing similar support to program participants
• Responsible for remaining up to date on current trends concerning innovation and entrepreneurship by communicating regularly with regional stakeholders, attending conferences, lectures, workshops and seeking out professional development opportunities
• Act as representative for the organization at various external events including panels, talks and guest lectures

Required Education:

• Undergraduate degree in business, finance, computer science, engineering or related field

Preferred Education:

• MBA

Required Experience:

• Minimum 12 years of professional experience, with successful record of strategy, management, business development and operations
• Experience in a startup environment as a founder, early stage employee, board member, investor, or part of an accelerator for early stage startups
• Minimum 2 years of experience as advisor, coach or mentor to early stage technology startups
• Knowledge of Entrepreneurship news, trends, terms and insights. Regional understanding of entrepreneurial ecosystem is a plus
• Knowledge of seed investing including term sheets, valuation and due diligence processes

Preferred Experience:

• Training in Lean Launchpad methods
• Experience leading investments in seed stage technology companies
• Experience commercializing research and faculty-based innovations or creating industry partnerships
• Experience leading an innovation team within a corporate environment
• Experience in an academic setting working with students and student groups
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (written and oral) and demonstrated ability to manage professional relationships across a variety of stakeholder groups
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks while sticking to deadlines
• Data driven
• Ability to think creatively