Director of Entrepreneurship and Incubation

Institution Background

Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) has established a new campus in Taicang city –XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang), with the collaboration of the Taicang Municipal Government and industry partners. It aims to pioneer the XJTLU 2.0 – Syntegrative Education model to cultivate future-ready leaders. As part of its vision and mission to explore Syntegrative Education and create an entrepreneurial ecosystem, XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang) comprises seven Industry-themed Schools and several campus-level platforms.

The Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Hub (EEH), as one of the cross-campus innovation platforms, serves as the cornerstone for catalysing entrepreneurial learning, applied research, and venture development. EEH is led by a Director and consists of four divisions: Entrepreneurial Education, Entrepreneurship and Incubation, Enterprise and Industry Ecosystem, and Industry Executive Education. This role directly oversees Innovation Factory (ideation-to-solution testing) and X3 Co-Venture (incubation-to-acceleration) – dual engines powering XEC’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. 

Role Overview

The Director of Entrepreneurship and Incubation provides senior strategic leadership for the development, integration, and operational excellence of Innovation Factory and X3 Co-Venture. Reporting directly to the Director of EEH, in collaboration with the XEC Chief Operating Officer and Deans of School, this role drives synergies between both units to advance XEC’s entrepreneurial vision while embedding innovation across academic programmes and external partnerships. The successful candidate will demonstrate entrepreneurial acumen, forge cross-functional alliances, and influence institutional strategy to position XEC as a leader in innovation, entrepreneurship and commercialisation. 

Key Responsibilities and Duties

1. Direct and provide strategic and operational leadership of Innovation Factory and X3 Co-Venture, aligning with EEH’s strategic objectives and XEC-wide priorities.
2. Establish integrated governance frameworks, policies, and operational protocols for both units, incorporating academic, industry, and governmental perspectives.
3. Secure and strategically allocate financial, human, and infrastructural resources to sustain growth and innovation across both units.
4. Provide strategic oversight of budgeting, investment controls, and legal compliance for both units, ensuring fiscal integrity and adherence to university and market policies, contractual obligations, and regulatory standards.
5. Directly manage Directors of Innovation Factory and X3 Co-Venture, and co-lead the Operation Team (direct-line reporting to the Chief Operating Officer) to foster high-performance cultures and collaborative excellence.
6. Cultivate solid partnerships with faculty, students, investors, government entities, and industry to amplify impact and secure opportunities.
7. Advise the XEC Leadership Team on entrepreneurship strategy, scalable incubation models, and ecosystem development.
8. Proactively monitor strategic risks and emerging opportunities for both units, ensuring compliance with university priorities, market trends and national and international regulatory frameworks.
9. Drive collaboration between Innovation Factory and X3 Co-Venture for seamless venture pipelines.
10. Collaborate with the Chief Operating Officer to optimise centralised support functions (e.g., finance, IT, HR, local government) for enhanced operational efficiency.
11. Represent Innovation Factory, X3 Co-Venture, and EEH at national/international forums, government meetings, and industry events to elevate institutional visibility.
12. Oversee the creation of joint initiatives and events (e.g., mentorship schemes, innovation challenges) bridging research, education, and commercialisation.
13. Maintain high-level external networks to access early-stage market intelligence, benchmark best practices, and influence entrepreneurial policy landscapes.
14. Perform any other work-related tasks assigned by the line manager or the Leader of the XEC Leadership Team. 

Qualifications and Experiences

1. Substantial senior-level experience in entrepreneurial education, incubator/accelerator management, or innovation ecosystem development within higher education or comparable settings.
2. Proven success in strategically overseeing multiple business units/projects (e.g., incubators, innovation labs) with integrated performance metrics.
3. Established credibility with academic, industry, and government partners; demonstrated ability to negotiate resources and represent institutions at executive levels.
4. Track record of leading managers and cross-functional teams to deliver complex, institution-wide initiatives.
5. Expertise in securing diversified funding (grants, partnerships, sponsorships) and allocating resources for multi-stakeholder programmes.
6. Extensive active networks with investors, policymakers, and entrepreneurial communities across China and globally.
7. Expertise in designing governance frameworks, risk-mitigation strategies, and service delivery models for innovation platforms.
8. Commitment to staff development, equality, diversity, and fostering collaborative cultures.
9. Ability to navigate institutional complexities, prioritise under pressure, and drive decisions in ambiguous environments.
10. Deep understanding of China’s innovation and entrepreneurship policy landscape.
11. Fluent in written and spoken Mandarin and English. 

CITIZENSHIP AND VISA REGULATIONS
Employment at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University is regulated by Chinese Labour Laws, and must comply with the regulations of the provincial government. These regulations stipulate who is eligible for legal employment with regard to obtaining work permits and visas. Please be advised candidates over 65 may be not eligible for a work visa in the P.R. China.  

Compensation & Benefits:

SALARY: Competitive salary in the market

BENEFITS

1. Allowance: XJTLU provide various month/annual/one-off allowances as

• Housing allowance
• Travel allowance
• Education allowance
• Relocation allowance
• Etc.

2. Medical insurance: commercial insurance plans customized for XJTLU staff and family members. (details refer to the University Policy)

3. Paid holidays:

• Statutory Holidays (13 days)
• Full Paid Holidays (34 days per academic year including university close days and annual leave)
• Family Matters Leave
• Paid Sick Leave
• Marriage Leave
• Paternity Leave
• Parental Leave
• Etc.

4. Working visa and residence permit in China: XJTLU sponsors working visa and residence permit in China for the staff.   

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your application on our university website (via the 'Apply' button above). 

Applications must be submitted in a single PDF file that includes:

• A Cover Letter
• A current CV, including country of citizenship and highest degree level
• Contact Details for Three References

For specific enquiries relating to the position, please email to Ms Mingyu Yuan, HRBP at Mingyu.Yuan@xjtlu.edu.cn.  

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