As part of its vision and missions to explore Syntegrative Education and create an innovative & entrepreneurial ecosystem, XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang) has launched two platforms across the campus: 1) X3 Co-Venture is committed to providing a unique ecosystem of support for innovators and entrepreneurs that redefine the market by nurturing innovation, empowering student entrepreneurs, and building their unique business ideas.2) Innovation Factory aims to build an international innovation service platform, encouraging innovative ideas, providing innovative solutions, sharing space and laboratories, etc., to create innovation ecosystem and excel in education and technology innovation. Roles & Responsibilities: Innovation and Strategy Leadership 1. Work with the Academic Directors of Innovation Factory and X3 Co-Venture to develop and implement strategies of Innovation Factory and X3 Co-Venture. 2. Proactively engage with the strategic establishment and development of the Syntegrative Education ecosystem, leading on the impact strategies with an emphasis on innovation productivity and entrepreneurship, to facilitate entrepreneurial and innovative learning & teaching, research, start-up, as well as industry collaboration. 3. Raise awareness of Innovation Factory and X3 Co-Venture among students, staff, and industry partners through working with the marketing team of XEC and the university. 4. Build on market trends, existing research and corporate strengths and activities, define, develop, and implement Innovation Factory and X3 Co-Venture focus areas and key stakeholders. 5. Develop the working procedure, mechanisms and operation plans alongside its strategy and update them over time. 6. In conjunction with the Directors of both platforms, provide executive-level strategic advice, briefings, and support to the Leader of the Taicang Leadership Team, Deans of School, and industry partners for innovation, knowledge exploitation, incubation and acceleration, and serve on a range of institutional committees and groups. Stakeholder Management 1. Build network and impact with internal and external stakeholders, to ensure smooth operation and strategic development of Innovation Factory and X3 Co-Venture. 2. Build effective and collaborative working relationships with academic divisions, and other University units and service areas in the delivery of key priority agendas. 3. Working closely with the Chief Operating Officer to develop centralised professional services support for Innovation Factory and X3 Co-Venture. 4. Work with the University Laboratorial and Technical Management Office (LTMO), Lab Managers, and Deans of the School, to ensure Innovation Factory are under regular review for the key strategic risks and opportunities, as well as daily safety operations. 5. Regular communications with internal partners such as University Research Engagement and Innovation Office, International Innovation Hub, JITRI Academy, etc. to contribute to XJTLU across campus collaboration and ecosystem building. 6. Proactively reach out to accelerators, investors, legal services, financial services, and governments, to integrate innovation and entrepreneurship into ecosystem. 7. Maintain a strong personal external network to be able to access early-stage intelligence and good practices from across the research and entrepreneurial community and exert influence. Engagement and Impact 1. Develop and implement a comprehensive student engagement plan that includes varies formats of events and activities across schools and campuses. Provide strategic resource and support to develop and strengthen ****s between the platforms and students. Increase interest and participation from students, faculty and industry partners. Subsequently increase awareness of Innovation Factory and X3 Co-Venture to students and wider community. 2. Collaborate closely with industry partners, alumni, project holders, and other stakeholders to identify and implement potential real-world projects, including but not limited to industry mentors, practical projects, start-ups, and research projects. Foster a community of student, staff, industry interactive ecosystem. 3. Build a sharing platform for resources and solutions, including labs, space, experts, talents, projects, innovative ideas, incubation, and entrepreneurial practices to establish a ‘go-to place’ for essential stakeholders. 4. Foster interdisciplinary and innovative projects and optimize both collaboration with governments, industries and external partners in the city of Suzhou and Yangtze Delta Region, and the impact of the University’s education and research approach. Commercial and Financial 1. Develop and implement a comprehensive commercialization strategy of Innovation Factory and X3 Co-Venture, aligned with the University policy, research engagement practice, meet the needs of market, students and staff. 2. Formulate and execute post-incubation strategies by leveraging a network of resources from various stakeholders. This includes engaging with commercial accelerators, securing investments from angel investors, accessing financial services, and utilizing government support. 3. Collaborate with local government and industry partners to explore the potential of establishing a ‘Proof of Concept Centre’, and/or industry-led future research lab/centre. 4. Integrate and implement a range of funding strategies of Innovation Factory and X3 Co-Venture, to ensure continuing tech and funding support from the University, industry, and local government. 5. Work closely with research engagement team to develop commercilisation scheme for current and future projects. Including IP protection, commercialization, technology transfer, technology innovation and entrepreneurship, and etc. Operation 1. Lead the development of the branding, governance, processes, policies, and operational protocols of Innovation Factory and X3 Co-Venture to ensure these are shaped by academic input and industrial perspectives. 2. Support the directors to design, develop, and implement projects, activities and events initiated by the Innovation Factory, such as workshops, competitions, training sessions, and visits. 3. Lead the cross-functional team, including Administrative Officers, event engagement, marketing, professional services team to align Innovation Factory and X3 Co-ventures’ initiatives with organizational goals. 4. Coordinating across 7 Schools and Hub towards achieving operational ****ives, and tracking progress. 5. Engage in the attr**** and implementation of projects from students, faculty, and industry partners. Conduct a thorough screening and ****uation process to identify promising initiatives. Subsequently, **** and actively promote these projects to foster their potential and visibility. 6. Represent the XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang) at a senior level in government meetings, external forums, recruitment fairs, and regional and national bodies. 7. Perform any other work-related tasks assigned by the line manager or the University Senior Management Team. Qualifications: 1. Substantial experience and significant achievement at leadership level in innovation, entrepreneurship and operation in a higher education institution, or a similar context. 2. A track record of success in the development and implementation of innovation centers, incubators, or entrepreneurship projects. 3. Demonstrable experience of innovation project or start-up project design to include a mix of different stakeholders and customer needs, incorporating the latest teaching and innovation deliveries. 4. Proven experience in building and leading high-performing and collaborative project teams to deliver major institution-wide initiatives. 5. Strong communication skills and ability to manage, influence and attract different stakeholders. Proven experiences in identifying key collaboration partners and project management a project from design, team forming, and delivery. 6. With deep understanding of the project needs, meticulous analysis, market research and resources, ensure open and clear communication and build robust relationship with all stakeholders. 7. Credibility amongst academic leaders and external partners, personal authority and the ability to make key strategic decisions and represent the institution at a senior level. 8. A highly-developed external network and proven experience of operating at the most senior levels with a wide range of external stakeholders, sector networks, funders and government departments and agencies. 9. A strong customer service ethos, ability and achievement in a services planning, coordination and delivery role, in driving team performance and implementing customer service measures. 10. Enthusiasm for implementing change and the ability to bring new approaches to facilitating innovation. Ability to influence and lead change beyond one’s own functional unit. 11. Substantial experience of successful staff management with the demonstrated ability to exercise formal and informal leadership, to bring fresh thinking to tasks, to lead by example and to support colleagues to succeed with a demonstrable commitment to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion. 12. Outstanding organisational skills, and ability to priorities at individual and team levels, to be sensitive to the pre
