Associate Deputy Chancellor, Small Business Launch Pad
Dallas College Richland Campus
All Job Postings will close at 12:01 a.m. CT on the specified Closing Date.
Weekly Work Hours
40Compensation Range
Administrator Range E10Salary Minimum
$133,800.00 AnnuallyFLSA
United States of America (Exempt)Position Type
AdministratorPosition Summary
The purpose of this position, Associate Deputy Chancellor, Small Business Launch Pad, is to support the mission and strategic goals of Dallas College by providing leadership to the strategic development, implementation, and continuous improvement of Dallas College’s entrepreneurship and innovation initiatives. This role builds robust ecosystems, fosters experiential learning, champions inclusive innovation, and ensures measurable impact. The position supports both small businesses and startups, driving disruptive innovation, job creation for graduates, and business creation for participants. The initial work plan includes aligning the Launch Pad with regional industry sectors, building a mixed student–community cohort accelerator, operationalizing physical and virtual spaces, integrating partner assets, and delivering a KPI dashboard to drive regional awareness and impact. This role plays a vital part in advancing the college’s commitment to transforming lives and communities through higher education by meeting the needs of the graduates and business participants.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge
Deep understanding of entrepreneurship education, startup ecosystems, and small business development.
Familiarity with experiential and project-based learning models.
Knowledge of partnership-building across academic, industry, alumni, and community sectors.
Understanding fundraising, grant management, and resource development.
Skills
Strategic program design, implementation, and evaluation.
Leadership in building and sustaining entrepreneurship ecosystems (including incubators, accelerators, and alumni networks).
Data-driven assessment and continuous improvement.
Fundraising, grant writing, and resource development.
Communication, marketing, and outreach.
Event and coworking space management.
Innovation in teaching methods and technology integration.
Abilities
Lead and inspire diverse teams and stakeholders.
Foster student engagement and support entrepreneurial activities.
Build coalitions and cross-sector partnerships.
Champion inclusive innovation and disrupt inequitable systems.
Adapt to dynamic environments and drive organizational change.
Make informed, timely decisions with measurable impact.
Promote a culture of ethical leadership and results orientation.
Leadership Competencies
Strategic Thinking: Develop long-term goals, anticipate trends, and create actionable strategies.
Communication: Convey information clearly, listen actively, and engage in meaningful dialogue.
Collaboration & Coalition-Building: Build strong relationships, foster teamwork, and lead cross-sector coalitions.
Entrepreneurial Mindset: Make informed, timely decisions with organizational impact.
Change Management & System Disruption: Lead and adapt to change, drive innovation, and disrupt inequitable systems.
Emotional Intelligence: Manage one’s own and others’ emotions to build strong relationships.
Ethical Leadership: Demonstrate integrity, fairness, and ethical behavior.
Results Orientation: Focus on measurable outcomes and high-quality results.
Adaptability & Innovation: Thrive in dynamic environments and champion new approaches.
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in business, entrepreneurship, education, or related field.
5+ years of experience in entrepreneurship education, program management, or relevant business experience.
Proven ability to build partnerships across academic, industry, alumni, and community sectors.
Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
Experience working with diverse student populations and promoting inclusive innovation.
Demonstrated experience with experiential and project-based learning models.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree (MBA or related field).
Experience in higher education or community college entrepreneurship.
Knowledge of startup ecosystems, venture capital, small business development, and franchise operations.
Experience with fundraising, grant management, and philanthropic financial structures.
Familiarity with dual credit systems and secondary education partnerships.
Experience managing grant-funded programs or securing sponsorships.
Demonstrated ability to manage new projects and timelines while promoting a sense of urgency.
Experience with innovative teaching methods and leveraging technology in education.
Bilingual or multilingual preferred.
***Will be subject to a criminal background check. Some positions may be subject to a fingerprint check.***
Physical Requirements
Normal physical job functions performed within a standard office environment. Reasonable accommodation may be made for individuals with physical challenges to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.
Key Responsibilities
Design, implement, and evaluate entrepreneurship programs in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
Align programs with Dallas College’s sector strategies and regional economic development priorities.
Lead the integration of experiential and project-based learning models, including startup simulations, design thinking workshops, and real-world consulting projects.
Develop and maintain alumni networks, incubators, and accelerator programs to support student and community entrepreneurs.
Collaborate with system leaders to support student clubs, organizations, and events that promote entrepreneurship.
Mobilize resources for students in business plan development, pitch preparation, and startup strategy.
Develop pathways and support mechanisms for high school and dual credit students interested in entrepreneurship.
Build and sustain partnerships with industry, alumni, community organizations, and like-minded entities.
Coordinate programming and events within coworking environments to foster collaboration among startups, freelancers, and industry professionals.
Pursue partnership opportunities with non-profits and other organizations to expand the entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Establish and implement data-driven assessment tools to evaluate program effectiveness and drive continuous improvement.
Deliver a KPI dashboard and communications rhythm to drive regional awareness and measurable impact.
Lead fundraising, grant management, and resource development efforts.
Champion initiatives that disrupt inequitable systems and proactively address barriers to entrepreneurship for underrepresented populations.
Promote inclusive innovation and ensure programming meets the needs of diverse students and community groups.
Collaborate with stakeholders to create outreach initiatives that promote program awareness and participation.
Represent Dallas College at regional, state, and national entrepreneurship forums and conferences.
Promote innovative pedagogical approaches and leverage technology to expand access and impact.
Integrate partner assets and offerings (SBDCs, Goldman Sachs 10KSB, Dallas College Venture Club, Bloomberg terminals).
Align efforts with the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem as outlined in the state’s Bigger. Better. Texas. initiative.
All employees are required to complete a minimum of 19 hours.
People leaders are required to have an additional 16 hours of leadership development.
Exercises full discretion and decision-making authority in recruitment, selection, hiring, mentoring, coaching, development & termination of staff.
Administers performance management processes, sets clear expectations, conducts evaluations, and implements initiatives to enhance engagement, motivation, and retention
Exercises full discretion and decision-making authority in the recruitment, selection, hiring, mentoring, coaching, development & termination of staff, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, budgetary constraints, and workforce planning strategies.
Drive high performance by administering the performance management process timely, setting clear expectations, conducting performance evaluations, and implementing initiatives that enhance employee engagement, motivation, and retention.
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Incumbents may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description. Position requires regular and predictable attendance.
About Us
Since 1965, Dallas College, formerly Dallas County Community College District, has served more than three (3) million students. Comprising seven campuses located around the Dallas/Fort Worth area, we are one of the largest community college systems in the state of Texas. We strive to be a leader in the community college space, placing students at the center of everything we do.
Dallas College is committed to cultivating an environment of opportunity and belonging for all students and employees. We recognize that the Dallas College workforce, and the diverse talent that stems from it, is directly linked to our success. We are part of an equal opportunity system that provides education and employment opportunities without discrimination on the basis of any protected attribute, including race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, veteran status, pregnancy or any other basis protected under applicable law. In accordance with applicable law, Dallas College will make reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees’ religious practices and beliefs, as well as any mental health or physical disability needs.