The Executive Director of Business Enterprise Development provides entrepreneurial leadership for comprehensive strategic development and management of new business ventures including the Tsongas Arena, the Boathouse, and the UMass Inn & Conference Center. The Executive Director will create and oversee a business plan to manage and market these facilities in a way that ensures fiscal viability. In addition, the Executive Director will lead the development of athletic licensing and brand management, from both strategic and operational perspectives. Reporting to the Executive Vice Chancellor, the Executive Director will play a collaborative role in the University's ambitious strategic planning efforts related to business development.
Areas of Responsibilities:
1. Provide overall leadership and oversight of the UMass Lowell Arena, including:
-Execute business plan and provide hands-on execution management to ensure successful operation of facility, plan to include revenue opportunities, event projections, and expenditure forecasts including direct and indirect expenses.
-Developing a marketing, sales and revenue generation plan that will:
- Expand the number of venues offered at the Arena
- Increase attendance at Arena events
- Increase revenues from ticket sales, corporate partnerships, advertising, concessions and novelty sales
-Enhance the overall entertainment value for all those who use the facility.
-Develop a high profile by taking an active role in appropriate business/professional associations as appropriate for the market & the facility.
2. Develop a business plan at the UMass Lowell Boathouse that will:
-Increase the number of events hosted at the Boathouse.
-Generate new net revenues needed to ensure the facility is self-sustaining.
3. Develop long-term growth plans to achieve innovative and strategic brand and licensing goals.
-Oversee licensing and brand management initiatives including the on-line store and campus point of purchase sites.
-Build brand awareness by introducing licensed products in area stores and other locations.
-Work with brand leaders to drive consumer purchase interest in licensed products.
4. In cooperation with the Vice Chancellor for Advancement, lead and expand athletic fund-raising strategies to increase revenues derived from the following:
- River Hawk Club
- Annual Golf Classic
- Corporate partnerships and advertising
- Naming rights at all athletic & recreation venues
- Special events that attract top donor prospects
Supervision Received: Reports to the Executive Vice Chancellor
Initial review of applications will begin immediately, and will continue until the position is filled.
Minimum Qualifications: 1. Bachelor's degree preferred.
2. 7+ years business experience with strong background in business development, licensing, sales and marketing.
3. Demonstrated capacity to provide leadership and vision for entrepreneurial enterprises.
4. Advanced business and financial acumen needed to negotiate contracts, develop business proformas, and conduct trend analysis in growth and profitability.
5. Proven ability to lead in the development of new business ventures. This will require excellent organizational, management and people skills, project management skills, with an ability to openly convey information to team members in a timely, concise manner.
6. Past fundraising experience at the senior level is required and demonstrated success in personally cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gifts.
7. A team builder and powerful manager with sound judgment. One who sets the tone for a department driven by values based on professionalism, productivity, responsiveness, a strong work ethic, responsibility, collaboration, open communication, mutual respect, and achievement.
