Executive Director of 1846 Enterprises

The Executive Director of 1846 Enterprises assumes a pivotal role in providing strategic leadership and fostering innovative thinking for the development and implementation of campus construction initiatives and the transformational Main Street Mile Initiative. With a reporting structure to the Vice President for Strategy and Chief of Staff, the Executive Director will serve as a visitor for at least the first year to the President’s Cabinet and serve as a senior leader on campus. The role carries the responsibility for executing the University’s Campus Master Plan and the Main Street Mile Initiative. The role encompasses overseeing a broad spectrum of projects and initiatives, achieving critical key performance indicators, and expected outcomes outlined in the Main Street Mile Initiative, building and then leading a skilled team, actively cultivating collaborations across campus, with developers and other community partners, and undertaking additional duties essential for realizing the ambitions of Taylor Thrives and the larger calling to revitalize our town, county, and region.

This work is made possible by the largest gift in the University’s history, which we expect to draw an additional $70 million of capital. In total, this work will represent a direct capital investment of more than $100 million in Upland over five years – representing the largest investment in the town’s history, and among the largest investments over a short time period in any small town in Indiana.

·         Provide the vision, strategic planning, and leadership to execute the initiatives in the Main Street Mile Initiative.

·         Direct campus and town construction projects and is the principal liaison to architects, developers, local officials, and prospective developers for campus and community capital projects.

·         Manage the Construction Services office.

·         Build deep working relationships with community leaders, ensuring the University’s efforts are in

·         line with the desires and needs of Upland and Grant County.

·         Orchestrate a meticulous Request for Proposal (RFP) process and facilitate the selection of development teams.

·         Oversee grant-related work, including but not limited to budgeting, reporting, and convening activities.

·         Plan, execute, and host events for community leaders and others to deepen relationships with community partners and neighbors, including strategic meetings, workshops, and social gatherings.

·         Plan promotional opportunities for University exposure in Upland and the surrounding communities and support community initiatives through sponsorships and other avenues.

·         Serve as the principal “convener” for the 1846 Enterprises Advisory Council.

·         Coordinate with the Principal Investigator and Co-Investigators of the University’s College and Community Collaboration grant to ensure accurate implementation.

·         Facilitate the development of relationships with community and business leaders which could serve as internship and externship opportunities for students pursuing the new B.A. in Entrepreneurship and Economic Development and the B.S. in Construction Management.

·         Serve as the programmatic conductor for the community and entrepreneurial initiatives within the project.

·         Provide direct oversight for all current and future Taylor University projects off-site.

·         Serve as a liaison for the Office of the President to local and state officials, including Independent Colleges of Indiana and the Town of Upland.

For more details see: https://jobs.taylor.edu/docs/director_1846_enterprises.pdf