Director of Leadership and Entrepreneurship Development (LEAD) Center

Job Title:
Director of Leadership and Entrepreneurship Development (LEAD) Center

Job Purpose Summary:
The Director is responsible for spearheading the development of leadership and entrepreneurship, and innovation skills among students, faculty, and the broader KIMEP University community. The role focuses on providing strategic oversight and operational leadership, fostering global connections with leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators, and ensuring the center contributes significantly to academic excellence and practical experience.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Leadership Responsibilities:

• Program Development & Oversight:
  Lead the design and execution of the Leadership Development Program, ensuring it meets the evolving needs of students and the university's strategic goals.
• Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration:
  Facilitate interdisciplinary leadership training and initiatives that engage students from various colleges within KIMEP, promoting diversity of thought and experience.
• Mentorship & Networking:
  Establish and nurture mentorship opportunities by partnering with industry leaders and alumni, creating a network of mentors for students to develop leadership capacities.
• Event & Forum Management:
  Organize high-profile events, such as leadership seminars, forums, and workshops featuring notable guest speakers from various sectors, fostering real-world learning experiences.
• Curriculum Integration:
  Work with academic departments to integrate leadership components into existing courses, promoting leadership development across all disciplines.
• External Engagement & Partnerships:
  Build relationships with corporate, government, and non-profit organizations to facilitate leadership shadowing programs, internships, and experiential learning opportunities.

Entrepreneurship & Innovation Responsibilities:

Based on an analysis of top university centers, the Director’s entrepreneurship and innovation responsibilities include:

• Startup Incubation & Acceleration Programs:
  Design and manage incubation and acceleration programs that support student and faculty-led startups, providing resources such as funding opportunities, mentorship, office space, and networking events with investors.
• Entrepreneurial Curriculum & Training:
  Collaborate with academic units to embed entrepreneurial thinking into the curriculum. Develop workshops, seminars, and certificate programs focused on entrepreneurship and innovation.
• Global & Local Ecosystem Development:
  Foster partnerships with global and local entrepreneurial ecosystems, including venture capital firms, angel investors, and innovation hubs. This will provide students and faculty with access to cutting-edge resources and collaboration opportunities.
• Competitions & Challenges:
  Organize business plan competitions, hackathons, and innovation challenges to stimulate entrepreneurial thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving. These events will showcase student and faculty projects and connect them with potential investors and partners.
• Technology Transfer & Commercialization:
  Establish pathways for technology transfer and commercialization of university research. This includes facilitating connections between academic research and industry partners, as well as guiding students and faculty through the patenting and licensing processes.
• Thought Leadership & Research:
  Promote research in entrepreneurship and innovation, encouraging faculty to contribute to academic and industry knowledge through publications, case studies, and applied research projects.
• Student Engagement & Clubs Support:
  Engage with student entrepreneurship clubs and innovation societies, providing guidance, resources, and mentorship to cultivate a vibrant entrepreneurial culture within the university.
• External Stakeholder Relationships:
  Build and maintain relationships with entrepreneurs, innovators, venture capitalists, and policymakers, both locally and globally, to enhance the visibility of the center and create real-world opportunities for students and faculty.

Administrative Responsibilities:

• Operational Oversight:
  Oversee daily operations of the Center, including budgeting, staffing, and resource allocation to ensure efficient and effective program delivery.
• Performance Monitoring & Reporting:
  Monitor program performance and student engagement, providing regular reports to BCB and KIMEP administration on the center’s outcomes and strategic initiatives.
• Event Planning & Coordination:
  Coordinate logistics and administration for events and programs, ensuring successful delivery of workshops, competitions, and conferences.
• Social media & Promotion:
  Manage the center’s digital presence and promote activities across social media platforms, ensuring high visibility both within KIMEP and externally.

Key Deliverables:

• Develop and deliver 5-10 high-profile events annually (seminars, workshops, competitions).
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with at least 5 global and local entrepreneurial or innovation ecosystems.
• Establish at least two new startup incubation or acceleration programs within the academic year.
• Support the commercialization of 3-5 research projects annually through technology transfer or patenting.
• Facilitate mentorship programs connecting students with 20+ industry leaders.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, or a related field.
• Fluency in English and Russian.
• Strong communication, organizational, and multitasking skills.
• At least 3 years of experience in leadership, entrepreneurship, or innovation roles.
• Demonstrated experience in project management and team leadership.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Entrepreneurship, Innovation Management, or Business Administration from a globally recognized institution.
• Experience in managing startup incubators or accelerators.
• Strong connections with global innovation ecosystems.
• Fluency in Kazakh.

Deadline for submission of applications/resumes is December 2, 2025 included or open until filled.