Director, Ratcliffe Center For Creative Entrepreneurship (Rcce)

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Job Title: Director, Ratcliffe Center for Creative Entrepreneurship (RCCE)

Department: Ratcliffe Center for Creative Entrepreneurship

Division: Open Studies

FLSA Status: Exempt

Union: NA

Grade: 10

Salary Range: $115,000 - $130,000

Reports to: Senior Vice President, Enrollment Strategy, Innovation and Partnerships

Position Overview

The Director of the Ratcliffe Center for Creative Entrepreneurship (RCCE is a dynamic leadership role that advances MICA's commitment to innovation, venture creation, and social impact through the arts and design.

This leadership position is responsible for advancing student-engaged entrepreneurship, cultivating community and business partnerships, and building innovative, high-impact programs through the Ratcliffe Center for Creative Entrepreneurship (RCCE).

Reporting to the Senior Vice President of Enrollment Strategy, Innovation, and Partnerships, the Director will guide strategic, student-engaged entrepreneurship initiatives, foster community and business partnerships, and build transformative programs that empower creatives to move their ideas from the classroom into the marketplace. This position works collaboratively with senior leadership, faculty, and external stakeholders to grow the impact of MICA's nationally recognized creative entrepreneurship ecosystem and to scale the Center's mission of transforming classroom ideas into ventures and industry-changing outcomes.

About RCCE

The Ratcliffe Center for Creative Entrepreneurship is a cornerstone of MICA's academic vision. Supported by the Philip E. & Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation, the RCCE integrates entrepreneurship across disciplines, providing students and alumni with the tools, mentorship, and platforms to launch ventures that shape industries and communities. From business incubators to pop-up shops, the RCCE champions the next generation of entrepreneurial artists and designers.

The RCCE is a vital component of MICA's academic identity, serving students and faculty across all disciplines. The Director will represent the Center both internally and externally, foster long-term institutional partnerships, and ensure compliance with the grant agreement between MICA and the Philip E. & Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation.

Major Role Functions

• Develop and Deliver Programming: Lead the creation and delivery of co-curricular and extracurricular entrepreneurship initiatives-including flagship events such as the MICA Art Market and the UP/Start Venture Competition-while expanding integration into MICA's academic curricula.

• Cultivate Strategic Partnerships: Build and sustain partnerships with businesses, mentors, investors, foundations, AICAD peers, and creative sector organizations, positioning MICA within national and global creative economy networks.

• Launch High-Impact Initiatives: Design and execute transformative programs-including a national conference, quarterly co-working incubator events, and pilot initiatives-that scale entrepreneurial capacity for students and alumni.

• Advance Fundraising and Accountability: Collaborate with Advancement and Finance to steward Ratcliffe Foundation deliverables, while also cultivating external grants, philanthropic support, and entrepreneurial revenue streams; track and report key metrics such as venture launches, revenue generated, participation levels, and job creation.

• Lead Operations and Team Development: Oversee RCCE staff, operations, and resource management, fostering a thriving culture of innovation and entrepreneurship across the MICA community.

• Represent and Promote RCCE: Serve as a visible ambassador for RCCE and MICA at local, national, and international conferences and forums; publish and present thought leadership in entrepreneurship and the creative economy.

• Elevate Storytelling and Visibility: Manage the publication of RCCE's Outside the Lines Journal and co-develop strategic communications that amplify MICA's entrepreneurial achievements.

Key Responsibilities

• Expand the RCCE's co-curricular offerings and deepen engagement with external business and nonprofit communities.

• Lead the vision and implementation of a national entrepreneurship conference at MICA-curating speakers, designing tracks, coordinating logistics, and fostering community engagement.

• Act as the campus point of contact for strategic partnerships that support student venture development, incubation, and launch.

• Collaborate with the Associate Director to design and deliver the UP/Start Accelerator curriculum, integrating guest lectures and mentorship from industry experts.

• Facilitate quarterly co-working incubator sessions to maintain alumni and student engagement with MICA's entrepreneurship network.

• Recruit/retain/maintain an advisory board of investors, entrepreneurs, and civic leaders to advise and support RCCE programs.

• Collaborate with Strategic Communications to promote student/alumni success stories and elevate MICA's impact in the venture space.

• Partner with Advancement and Finance to develop annual and final reports demonstrating RCCE program deliverables in accordance with the Ratcliffe Foundation grant.

• Support growth of key RCCE resources: CESI Hub, Resource Labs, and ENTRE/Play online tools to increase access for students, alumni, and faculty.

• Oversee program assessment and conduct regular evaluations of RCCE staffing, programming, partnerships, and financial operations.

• Develop integrated engagement strategies with BCAN and alumni bridge initiatives to expand post-graduation support.

• Build and sustain relationships to secure demonstration, launch, or incubation spaces to showcase venture cohorts and pilot products.

• Conduct ongoing research on best practices in entrepreneurship education and incorporate insights into RCCE programming and conference design.

• Maintain a curated roster of mentors, speakers, judges, and panelists who support student and alumni ventures.

• Develop and disseminate resources that connect MICA entrepreneurs to local and national support systems, including investors and incubators.

• Oversee the production of the Outside the Lines Journal (RCCE Zine) and support its integration into RCCE storytelling.

• Collaborate with Strategic Communications and media teams to design and implement multi-channel marketing campaigns for the RCCE.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Experience in business development, including familiarity with business planning resources and venture support systems.

• Strong background in program administration, event planning, and stakeholder engagement.

• Understanding of the intersections between entrepreneurship and the fields of art and design.

• Demonstrated experience in delivering presentations, pitches, and public speaking engagements.

• Proven ability to build relationships with a broad range of stakeholders including students, alumni, faculty, funders, and industry partners.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strengths in planning and documentation.

• A demonstrated and active commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with the ability to work across difference with respect and empathy.

• Professional demeanor with strong interpersonal skills, collaborative orientation, and capacity for complex problem-solving.

• Proficiency in standard office technology platforms (Microsoft Office; Windows or macOS); ability to learn new systems quickly.

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree with at least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in entrepreneurship, business development, innovation ecosystems, or related areas

• Demonstrated success in program administration, stakeholder engagement, and event management

• Strong knowledge of business planning, creative economies, and support systems for emerging ventures

• Experience working with students or early-career professionals in mentorship, advising, or instructional roles

• Familiarity with grant reporting, budgeting, and public speaking

Preferred qualifications:

• Advanced degree in business, design, arts administration, entrepreneurship, or related field

• Experience in art and design higher education or creative industry sector

Conditions of Employment:

• Satisfactory Background Check results

• Position will require some evening and/or weekend work

To Apply:

Please submit your resume, a cover letter outlining your interest and qualifications, and contact information for three references. Application review will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Physical demands and work environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical Demands: While performing the duties of the job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. (may be adjusted depending on position)

• Work environment: While performing the duties of the job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually (minimal, moderate, or high).

• Required training: Handbook orientation, Anti-Harassment, Hazard Communication, Emergency Plans & Fire Prevention, Personal Protection Equipment. (additional training may be added, SEE: EHS Manager training schedule)

Maryland Institute College of Art is committed to its policy of providing equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or veteran status (disabled, Vietnam-era, or otherwise). Furthermore, the College does not tolerate any form of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment or sexual violence. This policy applies to all programs, facilities, and activities provided by Maryland Institute College of Art, including but not limited to admission, educational programs, and employment.

Applicants must apply online for each job in which they are interested. You will not be considered for any job for which you have not specifically applied. We do not accept applications via email, U.S. mail, or fax. Successful candidates for any staff or faculty positions will be subject to a pre-employment background check.

MICA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact Human Resources at 410-225-2363.