Chief Operating Officer

Responsibilities

• Develop and administer the business incubation programs while also coordinating business accelerator initiatives and programs
  
• Work closely with the Board to provide a range of support services while seeking innovative funding mechanisms
  
• Promote and solicit for new start-ups business and develop a revenue model for services and sustainability
  
• Entrepreneurial Hub: set the direction and goals and oversee operations of the school
  
• Grants and Research: source and collaborate with partners to identify funding and research opportunities that support innovation and entrepreneurship
  
• Establish highly effective business incubation programs with robust value proposition metrics grounded on industry best practices
  
• Establish a Mentoring Program in collaboration with Alumni groups and business/industry partners to support early stage companies.
  
• Market and promote the Business Accelerator Program to community/business partners, faculty, students/entrepreneurs, etc.
  
• He/she will develop and implement cutting-edge programs to support new and growing businesses with co-work space, affordable office space, professional development, and a wide array of mentorship opportunities
  
• Coordinate with strategic stakeholders to enhance the entrepreneurial community; develop and maintain an active advisory council; create partnerships with local, regional, and state economic development organizations; attend state and national conferences and meetings to enhance knowledge and create partnerships
  
• Directs the work of multiple employees, including making recommendations to hire, promote, and discipline direct reports and conducting annual performance reviews of staff
  
• Assist with grant proposals, pursue innovative opportunities, and oversee grant project initiatives
  
• Adhere to and operate the incubator and accelerator within the business standard of best practices and the principle of client graduation so as to stimulate economic growth, business sustainability, and a lasting and vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem
  

Requirements:

• Knowledge of the best practices of business incubation and accelerator principles.
  
• Knowledge of, or willingness to acquire knowledge of, business and entrepreneurial development methodologies like business incubation, and business acceleration, including best practices
  
• Previous experience as Head of a School of Entrepreneurship or the entrepreneurship division/department of a bank or a large corporate organization
  
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant course. A Master's degree is an added advantage
  
• Experience sufficient to thoroughly understand the diverse objectives and functions of organization subunits, divisions, and departments in order to direct and coordinate workflow
  
• Knowledge of investor access processes for seed and growth funding
  
• Knowledge of budget development and management principles
  
• Knowledge of people-management
  
• Skill in delegation of responsibility and authority
  

Location: Lagos, Nigeria