Director of the LAU Fouad Makhzoumi Innovation Center

Role Summary

The Director of FMIC provides visionary leadership and strategic direction to cultivate a dynamic ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship at the university. The Director oversees the planning, implementation, and evaluation of programs, while securing funding and building strategic partnerships with industry leaders, investors, alumni, and the academic community. This role ensures the Center’s operations and initiatives align with the university’s mission and strategic priorities.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning & Execution: Develops and implements the Innovation Center’s strategic plan in alignment with university goals
• Programs Execution & Management: Plans and leads the execution of incubation and acceleration programs, including activities and events. Develops detailed project plans, timelines, and resource allocation strategies tailored to the requirements of LAU stakeholders
• Startup Engagement & Support: Oversees outreach, admission and recruitment of accelerator and incubator cohorts. Ensures effective support structures are in place to guide start-ups through the successful progression of the programs
• Resource & Operational Management: Oversees program budgets, logistics, and operational aspects. Establishes process frameworks to ensure efficient and effective use of resources
• Stakeholder & Partnership Development: Cultivates and maintains strong collaborative relationships with internal departments (including research, tech transfer, alumni relations, faculty), as well as with external stakeholders in industry, government, and partner institutions to enhance program impact and unlock new opportunities for startups
• Performance Monitoring & Reporting: Defines and monitors key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure program success.  Generates comprehensive reports on the impact of the accelerator and incubator programs
• Team Leadership & Supervision: Onboards, trains, and supervises program managers and officers. Provides strategic direction in mentorship, fostering professional development, and cultivating a high-performance, collaborative team culture
• Risk Management & Compliance: Ensures all program activities comply with university policies, regulatory requirements, and best practices in entrepreneurship programming, proactively identifying and mitigating potential risks
• Operational Process Optimization: Contributes to the development and refinement of standard operating procedures (SOPs) to improve the efficiency, consistency, and quality of program delivery
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation: Leads continuous improvement initiatives by regularly analyzing program effectiveness benchmarking against industry best practices, and collaborating closely with the LAU Catalyst Fund to implement strategic enhancements and new innovative program models
• Internal Collaborations: Partners with the LAU Industrial Hub (IH) on joint innovation and industry-related initiatives. Develops and manages marketing and communication strategies in collaboration with the Global Affairs Service Center (GASC)
• Perform other related tasks as assigned to support the overall success and sustainability of the Innovation Center’s programs

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business, entrepreneurship, innovation, or a related field
• Minimum of 12 years of relevant experience in innovation or entrepreneurial environments, including at least 5 years in a leadership or supervisory capacity
• Demonstrated success in securing funding and forming strategic partnerships
• Strong understanding of startup ecosystems and experience supporting early-stage ventures
• Established network of external partners, including investors, industry leaders, and innovation hubs
• Excellent leadership, communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills
• Proficient in program and project management
• Demonstrated passion for innovation and entrepreneurship

Interested candidates should email their CVs with a letter of interest outlining the applicant’s relevant experience to recruitment@necg.com.lb, specifying the job title in the subject line. 

CVs should include the exact month and year while listing the candidate’s professional experience and educational background.

Closing date for accepting applications is Tuesday, June 24, 2025.

No applications will be accepted after this date, and only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

The Lebanese American University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.