HERC of the Carolinas

Department: Office Rsrch Innov and Econ Impact

Classification: Administrative Faculty

Job Category: Administrative or Professional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location:  Northern Virginia (Fairfax, VA or Arlington, VA)

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible--expected to report to a GMU office at least once per week

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience; anticipated range is $100,000-$110,000/year

Restricted: Yes

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The Virginia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network is a partnership with the US SBA, George Mason University and local host organizations to provide advising services and training to small businesses in Virginia. The Virginia SBDC Lead office administers and manages the SBDC network of 25 centers across Virginia with 13 subrecipients including universities, community colleges and economic development organizations. The Virginia SBDC is a program of Mason Enterprise.

Virginia SBDC-Innovation Commercialization Assistance Program (ICAP) is focused on helping Virginia based technology and innovation-driven startups on their path to success. ICAP works with start-ups to provide support along their entire journey towards scaling - from the early idea stage all the way through working on Series A level of funding. This is accomplished through experiential learning programs and one-on-one advising with a team of experienced entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs. These services are offered at no cost and all advising is confidential.

About the Position:

The mentor provides technology startup clients and faculty, postdocs and graduate level students and spinouts from all Virginia public universities with guidance and support as they work to achieve key milestones of the startup process. The mentor delivers hands-on commercialization services based on Lean Start-up instruction. This includes customer discovery, MVP development, securing pilots/early sales, SBIR/STTR readiness, access to capital preparation, and connecting clients to accelerators, investors, potential partners, trade organizations, to support growth toward scaling.

The mentor is involved in regional and statewide entrepreneurial ecosystems with a principal focus in Northern Virginia. This includes supporting Mason Enterprise Entrepreneurs in Residence, Mason Office of Technology Transfer, engaging potential and existing partners at Virginia public universities and localities, developing client pipelines, presenting at relevant events, and traveling throughout the region when necessary for in-person meetings.

Technology mentors will have subject matter expertise in one or more of the areas listed below:
Cybersecurity; Communications; IoT; Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality; Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, and Quantum Computing; Energy and Infrastructure; Unmanned Systems; SaaS; Data; Digital Marketplaces; Education Technology; Smart Cities; Advanced Manufacturing; Transportation Technology; Agricultural Technology; Financial Technology; Life and Health Sciences; Modeling and Simulation.

Responsibilities:

Mentoring and Advising

• Meets one-on-one with entrepreneurs, faculty and graduate students to provide strategic and tactical guidance;
• Meets as a mentor team with entrepreneurs, faculty and graduate students to provide strategic and tactical guidance;
• Presents to the ICAP community on startup related topics;
• Collaborates with Mason Enterprise Entrepreneurs in Residence (EIRs) and Mason Office of Technology Transfer (OTT); and
• Refers client to appropriate resources when needed. 

Partner Development

• Finds, meets with and develops ongoing partner relationships;
• Assists localities, regions and Virginia public universities with entrepreneurial ecosystem development activities;
• Presents to partner organizations on startup related topics; and
• Travels to meetings and events. 

Program Impact and Reporting

• Reports activities as prescribed by Virginia SBDC and Mason Enterprise;
• Participates in Virginia SBDC Network and Mason Enterprise initiatives; and
• Represents Virginia SBDC Network and Mason Enterprise when required. 

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor?s degree in related field or the equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Extensive relevant work experience (generally 10 or more years);
• Direct entrepreneurial experience with innovation commercialization;
• Extensive knowledge of current and early stage technology business management principles;
• Knowledge of innovation commercialization, technology transfer, intellectual property, technology development, and alternate and  equity financing;
• Knowledge of business and economic trends;
• Demonstrated outstanding written and oral communication skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; and
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple assignments, organize work and establish priorities with minimal supervision.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master?s degree in related field;
• Experience applying NSF I-Corps principles with entrepreneurs;
• Direct experience advising and assisting university spinouts; and
• Fundamental understanding of consulting and counseling techniques and disciplines.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Virginia SBDC-ICAP Mentor at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide Cover Letter and Resume for review.

Posting Open Date: June 18, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  July 2, 2026

Open Until Filled:  Yes

About George Mason University

George Mason University is a public, comprehensive, research university established by the Commonwealth of Virginia located in Northern Virginia, outside of Washington, D.C. Mason was initially founded as a branch of the University of Virginia in 1949, and became an independent institution in 1972. George Mason University is an innovative and inclusive academic community committed to creating a more just, free, and prosperous world.

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