AVP & Executive Director of the Swartz Center for ...

CMU seeks an accomplished, strategic, and results-focused leader to serve as the Associate Vice President and Executive Director of the Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship to guide CMUu2019s entrepreneurial ecosystem into its next era of bold ambition, innovation, and impact. Reporting to Vice President for Research, Theresa Mayer , the Executive Director will work to leverage the extensive assets of the university to generate excitement, momentum, and meaningful engagement in the practice of entrepreneurship and startup creation, launch, and growth. The Executive Director will work collaboratively across CMU to engage faculty, students, staff, alumni and external partners u2014 including investors, industry leaders and mentorsu2014 to deliver the Swartz Centeru2019s vision and mission and secure CMUu2019s position as a globally leading university for entrepreneurship. This is a pivotal time for entrepreneurship at CMU. Long renowned for its translational excellence and impact in key areas of interdisciplinary science and technology research, such as AI, computer science, engineering and robotics, CMU is now poised to strengthen its support and commitment for innovators and founders across all domains. During its first decade, the Swartz Center established itself as a vibrant and successful university-wide hub with programs, events, networks, and funding to support student and alumni engagement, ideas, and startups. The next Executive Director will be charged with significantly expanding its reach and impact by building more robust pathways for CMU faculty, postdocs, graduate and undergraduate students to translate research and compelling ideas into world-changing startups, with a key goal of working collaboratively across colleges and schools to identify potential founders and create an environment that fosters the creation and growth of startups with u201cunicornu201d potential u2014 privately held startups valued at over $1 billion. The Associate Vice President and Executive Director is a highly visible, newly expanded role, with strong support from university leadership and CMUu2019s Board of Trustees to shape the future of entrepreneurship within a culture that prizes ambition, creativity, and interdisciplinary excellence. CMU seeks a leader who will not only steward its entrepreneurial mission but will elevate it by transforming ideas into impact, enabling the CMU community, and positioning the Swartz Center as a defining force in entrepreneurship for years to come. Priorities, Opportunities, and Expectations _The next Executive Director of the Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship will boldly advance CMUu2019s success by:_ + Developing and executing a cohesive and ambitious campus-wide strategy to realize CMUu2019s role as a global leader in entrepreneurship and startup success. + Elevating CMUu2019s entrepreneurial culture, visibility, ambition, incentives, and narrative to make entrepreneurship and startup creation, launch, and growth central to the universityu2019s identity. + Ensuring that the Swartz Center is CMUu2019s flagship resource for entrepreneurship by engaging with colleges and schools to deliver highly impactful, visible, and accessible events, services, programs, and resources for all the universityu2019s students, staff, faculty, and alumni. + Strengthening alumni mentorship networks and relevant infrastructure, particularly in the areas of AI, software, deep tech, hardware, and biomedical ventures. + Building a founder-first environment that provides exceptional training, mentoring, facilities, and access to funding at all stages of start-up development u2013 derisk, launch, invest, and grow. + Collaborating across the CMU academic colleges, schools, and departments to enhance incentives u2014student fellowships, promotion and tenure recognition, faculty leave, IP structuresu2014 to mobilize students and faculty into action. + Expanding relationships with a broad range of top-tier investors and companies in Pittsburgh and beyond. Driving student, faculty, staff, and alumni ambition to create and build start-ups with unicorn potential. + Establishing a data-centric approach to measure outcomes and impact and to tell CMUu2019s story of success both internally and externally. + Raising philanthropic funding to expand Swartz Center entrepreneurship activities and programs, and to increase the amount of CMU early-stage grant support and resources for startups with the most potential for launch and growth. + Using the Swartz Centeru2019s distinctive mission and platform to leverage the expertise, networks and experience of CMUu2019s Trustees, alumni, partners, and friends to accelerate CMUu2019s entrepreneurship agenda. + Developing and incentivizing an ambitious team, ensuring that roles and structure are aligned with the Centeru2019s mission, and are in line with best practices in governance and data infrastructure. CANDIDATE PROFILE IDEAL EXPERIENCES AND QUALIFICATIONS _CMU's next Executive Director of the Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship will be a successful leader with many of the following attributes, characteristics, and experiences:_ + Credibility as a successful tech entrepreneur and/or investor with a track record of building and scaling organizations that drive impact and value. + Intellectual stature and curiosity with a bias for action and results to achieve an outsized impact for CMU entrepreneurship and startups. + Deep appreciation of and passion for CMUu2019s goals to have a transformative impact on society through education, research, creativity and entrepreneurship. + Able to thoughtfully lead and influence within an academically rigorous culture rooted in excellence and interdisciplinary outcomes and across colleges and schools with diverse portfolios and goals. + Capable of articulating and implementing an ambitious vision for the future of entrepreneurship at a leading research university through an action-oriented, collaborative, cross-college/school approach. + Can leverage strong and active contacts with a broad range of investors, companies, alumni, and universities to advance Swartz Center goals. + Able to serve as a compelling and visible ambassador and fundraiser to further elevate the profile of the Swartz Center and CMUu2019s culture of entrepreneurship. + Capable of recruiting, retaining, and leading high-performance matrixed teams through action, collaboration, and influence. + Prior experience as executive and/or operational leader in the context of significant complexity and commensurate scope and scale THE SEARCH PROCESS Spencer Stuart, a global executive search and leadership advisory firm, has been retained by Carnegie Mellon University to help identify and recruit the new Executive Director of Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship. All inquiries, nominations, and applications (CVs and letters of interest) should be sent electronically and in confidence to: Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits. Benefits eligible ( employees enjoy a wide array of benefits including comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance ( as well as a generous retirement savings program ( with employer contributions. Unlock your potential with tuition benefits (, take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off ( and observed holidays (, and rest easy with life and accidental death and disability insurance. Additional perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, access to our Family Concierge Team ( to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access ( , and much more For a comprehensive overview of the benefits available, explore our Benefits page ( . At Carnegie Mellon, we value the whole package when extending offers of employment. Beyond credentials, we evaluate the role and responsibilities, your valuable work experience, and the knowledge gained through education and training. We appreciate your unique skills and the perspective you bring. Your journey with us is about more than just a job; itu2019s about finding the perfect fit for your professional growth and personal aspirations. Are you interested in an exciting opportunity with an exceptional organization? Apply today Location Pittsburgh, PA Job Function University Administration and Management Position Type Staff u2013 Regular Full Time/Part time Full time Pay Basis More Information: + Please visit u201cWhy Carnegie Mellon (u201d to learn more about becoming part of an institution inspiring innovations that change the world. + Click here ( to view a listing of employee benefits + Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran . + Statement of Assurance ( Interested in a career with Carnegie Mellon University but not finding anything that currently aligns with your interests, background, or experience? Learn how to sign up for Job Alerts (through your candidate profile. If your heart is in your work, come work with us. Carnegie Mellon University isnu2019t just one of the worldu2019s most renowned educational institutions u2013 itu2019s also a hotspot for some of the most talented doers, dreamers, and difference-makers on the planet. When you join our staff, youu2019ll become an important part of our mission to create a healthier, safer, and more just life for all. No matter what your role or location, youu2019ll connect and collaborate with dedicated, passionate colleagues u2013 and youu2019ll have the satisfaction of delivering work that truly matters. We cultivate a vibrant, welcoming environment where everyone is valued and encouraged to contribute and achieve. In addition to competitive benefits and a robust support network, youu2019ll have access to many tools and resources to sharpen your abilities and professional skills, as well as opportunities to engage and share perspectives with a dynamic and inspiring community of uniquely talented staff, faculty, students, and alumni. The future is awaiting your expertise and intellect. Come join the architects of whatu2019s next. Apply now. Learn more about Student Employment (. Please see Faculty Careers. ( For technical assistance, email HR Services () or call 412-268-4600. If you are an individual with a disability and you require assistance with the job application process, please email Equal Opportunity Services () or call 412-268-3930. Prospective Employee Disclosures (

Created: 2026-01-19