Director of the Crisp Small Business Resource Center

Join the Pirate Nation! East Carolina University ( ECU) is a Carnegie Doctoral University with high research activity. We are also a teaching institution that is renowned for academic excellence. As an R1 university, we make a significant investment in faculty research by providing support related to travel, technology, research databases, and development. We are one of the largest universities in North Carolina with almost 27,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Our main campus is in downtown Greenville, which is a rapidly expanding city and the predominant health, entertainment, financial, and educational hub of the eastern North Carolina region. In addition, many of our students come from rural communities with their own set of challenges and perspectives.

The College of Business ( COB) has been AACSB accredited for over 40 years. We offer BSBA, MBA, and MSA degrees and our School of Hospitality Management offers both a BS in Hospitality Management and an MS in Sustainable Tourism and Hospitality. Additionally, the Miller School of Entrepreneurship offers a BS in Entrepreneurship. We are one of the largest Colleges of Business in the state with approximately 4,200 undergraduate and 900 graduate students. To date, the COB has approximately 150 faculty members of the highest caliber, skilled in the scholarship of research, teaching, and application of knowledge. A strategic goal of the college is to create an environment where the faculty, staff, and students can thrive and be personally and professionally respected.

INTERNAL POSTING: Open only to applicants currently employed by East Carolina University.

The College of Business is seeking applications for the position of Director of the Crisp Small Business Resource Center within the Miller School of Entrepreneurship , available beginning July 2025. The Miller School of Entrepreneurship serves as a regional hub for preparing students to take an entrepreneurial mindset and skillset into their communities. The Miller School is committed to an experiential-based curriculum and co-curricular activities for students in the BS Entrepreneurship degree and Entrepreneurship Certificate programs. Leaning on the Miller School's applied research expertise, the Crisp Small Business Resource Center (Crisp Center) will provide students and the surrounding community with best practices and proven knowledge required to start and sustain enterprises in eastern North Carolina. Distinct Center activities include specialized research reports and grants, community workshops, and executive education offerings. In addition, the Crisp Center helps convert curricular programs in the Miller School into actionable ideas and ventures created by students from all academic fields. Efforts will focus on working collaboratively across campus and with regional partners to sponsor events for both the research and business communities.

The Director of the Crisp Center will lead efforts in planning and implementing the focus areas mentioned above. Key primary responsibilities will include (but are not limited to):

In addition, the Director will support campus-wide programs aimed at promoting student and/or faculty-led startups and help support and promote entrepreneurial grant opportunities across the campus.

Contingent upon availability of funds.

The candidate must possess a graduate degree ( MBA, MA, MS, PhD, or EdD) in a closely related discipline (examples include, but are not limited to: business administration, entrepreneurship, accounting, finance, marketing, economics, or management) from an appropriately accredited institution.

Experience with small business and/or small business ownership.

N/A

Knowledge and experience are preferred in marketing; program management; consultation; client relationship management; budget development; strong written and verbal communication skills; grant writing

East Carolina University requires applicants to submit a candidate profile online in order to be considered for the position. Candidates must also submit a cover letter, resume, and a list of three references, including contact information, online. Candidates must also submit a statement of vision for the director position and place under required additional document #1.

2-3 original letters of reference are required for employment. Please be aware that if selected as a candidate of choice, an automatic e-mail will be sent to the individuals entered by the applicant in the References section in the PeopleAdmin applicant tracking system. Letters of reference submitted via the PeopleAdmin applicant tracking system will be verified and considered towards meeting this requirement.

For letters of reference not submitted via the PeopleAdmin applicant tracking system, please have the original signed letters mailed to Mr. Len Rhodes, Search Committee Chair, College of Business, East Carolina University, Bate 1200, Mail Stop 503, Greenville, NC 27858 (email: rhodesi@ecu.edu). An original transcript of highest earned degrees for selected candidate will be required prior to employment.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

East Carolina University is committed to workforce success and cultivating a culture of care for our employees. ECU prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment based on race/ethnicity, color, genetic information, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, political affiliation, and veteran status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their protected veteran status or disability.

Individuals requesting accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act ( ADAAA) should contact the ADA Coordinator at (252) 737-1018 (Voice/ TTY) or ADA-Coordinator@ecu.edu.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. ECU participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. If highest degree earned is from an institution outside of the U.S. and its territories, final candidates are required to have their degree validated as equivalent to the degree conferred by a regionally accredited college or university in the U.S.

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Department for People Operations, Success, and Opportunity at (252) 328-9847 or toll free at 1-866-489-1740 or send an email to employment@ecu.edu. Our office is available to provide assistance Monday-Friday from 8:00-5:00 EST.