Manager of Entrepreneurship Center

Title: Manager of Entrepreneurship Center Location: Kepler College, Kigali Reports To: Lead, Business and Entrepreneurship Analytics Research Position Type: Full-time (2 years, possibility to transition to full-time faculty, subject to performance and funding About Kepler College Kepler College was established in Rwanda to offer affordable, scalable, and competency-based higher education programs with the best job prospects for graduates, ensuring a job for graduates as a key driver of everything being done at the College. The key aspect of Kepler College's pedagogy is learning by doing with a primary focus on equipping students with 21st-century transferable skills that make them stand out at the labor market. In this program, students gain the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in today's global economy. Vision: To become a leading competency-based higher education institution in Sub-Saharan Africa with outstanding graduate employment outcomes that lead to economic mobility. Mission: To offer competency-based, accessible, employment-driven tertiary education; conduct applicable research; and provide innovative, scalable community service to support Rwanda's development. Motto: Educating Africa's youth for tomorrow's opportunities Core Values: We work with Purpose, We drive Innovation, We embrace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, We practice Transparency, We seek Balance. At Kepler College, we value diversity as a paramount aspect of growth; therefore, we do not discriminate against applicants based on gender, race, religion, physical abilities, social status, beliefs, culture, and values. Purpose of the Entrepreneurship Center The Kepler Entrepreneurship Center aims to become a thought leader in the region in building entrepreneurial mindsets and skills among youth, incubating and accelerating promising businesses. It does this through three connected areas of work: - Learning: offer the design thinking and entrepreneurship course and related training for students, alumni, and the wider community. - Incubation and acceleration: helping early ventures take shape and grow. - Scaling: helping promising businesses reach more customers, revenue and impact. The Center is a place where diverse, innovative approaches are tested and refined, and where the approaches that work are constantly communicated to students, faculty, partners and the wider ecosystem. Kepler is seeking a qualified Manager to lead the Center and deliver on this mandate. Objectives The primary objective of this role is to: - Develop and lead a comprehensive strategy that positions the Center as a thought leader in cultivating entrepreneurial mindsets and skills among youth and in effectively incubating and scaling promising businesses. - Design and deliver high-quality design thinking and entrepreneurship courses and training. - Plan and run the Center's incubation, accelerator, and scaling programs, including identifying, selecting, and mentoring startups. - Run the Center as a learning lab: test new approaches, keep what works, and share it widely. - Ensure the Center meets agreed goals, timelines, and impact targets. Key Responsibilities 1. Strategy and thought leadership - Develop and refine the Center's strategy in line with Kepler College's mission, and adapt it to the evolving needs of students, startups, and the market. - Build the Center's profile as a reference point for cultivating entrepreneurial mindsets and skills and for incubating and scaling businesses in Rwanda and the region. - Represent Kepler at industry events and conferences, and contribute to policy and ecosystem discussions. 2. Entrepreneurial learning: design thinking and entrepreneurship - Work with faculty to design, deliver, and update design thinking and entrepreneurship courses, workshops, and bootcamps. - Embed entrepreneurial mindsets across Kepler College's programs through projects, challenges and co-curricular activities. - Offer short training for alumni, partners and the community where there is demand. 3. Incubation, acceleration and scaling - Lead the process of identifying and selecting students and alumni for incubation and accelerator programs. - Ensure seamless program operations, from application and selection to delivery and follow-up. - Provide hands-on guidance and mentorship to ventures at each stage, from idea to growth. - Support high-potential businesses to scale through market access, investment readiness and links to funders. 4. Innovation lab: test, refine and share - Design and run pilots of new approaches to entrepreneurship teaching, venture support and scaling. - Use evidence to refine or retire approaches, and document what works. - Communicate results regularly through case studies, reports, events, social media and partner networks. 5. Partnerships and networks - Build relationships with mentors, investors, industry experts, government and development partners. - Collaborate with cross-functional teams across Kepler to plan and deliver the Center's work. - Mobilize partnerships and resources to sustain and grow the Center. 6. Performance and impact - Define and track key performance indicators, such as people trained, ventures incubated, businesses scaled, jobs created, revenue raised, and approaches adopted. - Continuously improve programs based on data and feedback, and report progress to leadership. Qualifications - A master's degree in business, entrepreneurship, or a related field is strongly preferred; a bachelor's degree with proven experience may be considered. - A minimum of 3 years of work experience in entrepreneurship or business is strongly preferred. - Proven experience in accelerator or incubator management, entrepreneurship, or startup ecosystem development. - Experience designing or facilitating design thinking and entrepreneurship courses or training. - Track record of testing new ideas, learning from evidence, and communicating results. - Knowledge of the startup ecosystem, including fundraising, mentorship, venture capital, and scaling. - Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines. - Ability to work independently and drive initiatives forward proactively. - Excellent communication, writing, and interpersonal skills (English and Kinyarwanda preferred). - Strategic thinker with a passion for innovation and entrepreneurship, and results-oriented with a track record of achieving program goals. How to Apply: - Materials Required: Candidates must submit the following: - A cover letter detailing their interest in the role and how their experience aligns with the responsibilities and qualifications listed. - An updated resume or curriculum vitae (CV) highlighting relevant experience and skills. - Deadline: All applications must be submitted by November 20th, 2026