Dir, Stone Center

Since 1906, UWG has been home to those who are eager to take their own path, learn, and grow. With more than 12,700 students from across Georgia, 34 other states and 64 countries, 95+ undergraduate programs and concentrations, and 35 master’s, specialist, and doctoral degree programs, we’ve come a long way since then. Today, we’re a regional powerhouse making a $626 million local economic impact.

With locations in Carrollton, Douglasville, and Newnan, Georgia, we take pride in making a difference in the lives of our students, our neighbors, and the world. In essence, UWG provides a safe, quality and affordable college experience that transforms lives. Amazing things happen when you Go West!

The university is organized into our College of Art, Culture, and Scientific Inquiry; College of Education; Richards College of Business; University College; School of Communication, Film, and Media; Tanner Health System School of Nursing; Honors College; Graduate School; UWG Newnan; and our UWG Douglasville Center.

The Stone Center for Family Business, Entrepreneurship and Innovation was made possible due the generosity of the Bob and Tish Stone family and their multigenerational family business, Systems and Methods, Inc. (SMI), founded in 1971 in Carrollton, GA. Since its official launch in November 2021, the center has been a resource for local family businesses seeking to navigate their unique challenges and a key driver of campus programming like Entrepreneurship Week and the Wolf Den Pitch competition that supports the entrepreneurial endeavors of UWG students.

The inaugural Director of the Stone Center will be responsible for strategically leading the center in its effort to become the premier hub of family business and entrepreneurial resources and connections for the West Georgia region. Reporting to the Dean of the Richards College of Business, the director will work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to develop a wide range of campus and community programming, events, and activities, that enhance the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem and drive innovation and economic growth.

Central to the external focus of the center director will be the development and execution of high impact programming that fuels the success of the growing community of family-oriented businesses in West Georgia by addressing important topics related to family businesses such as succession planning, governance, non-family employees, family business culture, and exit strategies, just to name a few. In addition to the external programming, the director will work with UWG faculty and staff to develop and implement curricular and co-curricular programming that builds an entrepreneurial mindset among students and supports the successful launch and growth of student ventures.

Review of applications will begin Sept 5, 2023 and continue until position is filled

• Collaborate with college and university leadership to develop and execute a strategic framework for growing the Stone Center and maximizing its impact on the campus and regional community.
• Partner with individuals and entities within UWG and in the external community to develop relevant programming that supports the unique needs of family businesses in the region
• Work with UWG faculty to develop programming that supports student entrepreneurship and innovation and leads to successful business ventures
• Work closely with University Advancement, the Department of Research and Sponsored Projects, and other relevant entities, to strategically grow the resources needed for a self-sustaining university center.

Bachelor’s Degree and substantive experience in business and entrepreneurship

• Master's Degree
• Experience with entrepreneurial education, mentoring, and programming within or outside a university
• Experience working with a family business

$115-125K

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively, develop effective networks and partnerships, and manage stakeholder relationships
• Demonstrated high level of oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Demonstrated understanding of the family business, entrepreneurial, and innovation community both locally and nationally

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of West Georgia, as determined by the University of West Georgia in its sole discretion, confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. Applicants may be subject to a pre-employment drug test. Offers are made expressly subject to the applicable federal and state laws, to the statutes, rules and regulations of this institution and to the Bylaws and Policies of the Board of Regents (BOR) of the University System of Georgia (USG), which are available for your inspection upon request.

It is the policy of the University of West Georgia to follow federal law in regards to affirmative action and equal opportunity. The University of West Georgia's affirmative action program and related policies are developed in compliance with Executive Orders 11246 and 11375, as amended; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Sections 503 & 504) and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (Title II) and their implementing regulations; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; and the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as it amends 38 U.S.C. 4212.