About the Role

The Founding Director will play a pivotal role in shaping the identity, academic programs, partnerships, and long-term strategy of the Jaggi School of Business. Working closely with the leadership of the Kummer College, the Founding Director will build a distinctive business school model grounded in interdisciplinary collaboration, experiential learning, corporate engagement, and worldclass teaching and research. This is a rare opportunity to leave a lasting impact on students, industry, and society by building a business school within a college explicitly focused on innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic development.  

As Founding Director, you will:  

  • Shape the academic and cultural foundation of a new business school.  
  • Integrate business education within a college dedicated to innovation and entrepreneurship.  
  • Build programs that directly support economic development and workforce needs.  
  • Establish a legacy of excellence, impact, and community engagement 

View position profile (PDF)

Details & Application

Interested candidates can find details of the application process at hr.mst.edu/careers and must submit all applications through this site. Applications should consist of:

  • Cover letter outlining the applicant’s interest and how their background and experience make them a good fit for the position.
  • A statement of the applicant’s leadership philosophy and vision for the Jaggi School of Business.
  • Current curriculum vitae that includes the applicant’s record of teaching, publications, and service.
  • Contact information for at least three references.

The Search Committee Welcomes Nominations and Applications.

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Nominations and inquiries may be directed to: Carrie Arrowsmith (arrowsmithc@mst.edu), Lead Recruitment Consultant, Missouri S&T.

Apply Here

Overview

The Dennis and Janet Jaggi School of Business at the Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) is a newly established academic unit housed within the Kummer College of Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Economic Development. As part of a forward-thinking college dedicated to industry collaboration, applied research, and workforce development, the Jaggi School of Business will prepare students to lead in data-driven, globally connected, and technology-driven markets. We seek an entrepreneurial, dynamic, and visionary leader to serve as the Founding Director and guide the Jaggi School of Business through its formative years. Outstanding candidates will also be appointed as the Dennis and Janet Jaggi Endowed Chair in Business.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and School Development

  • Develop and implement a compelling vision and multi-year strategic plan aligned with the mission of the Kummer College.
  • Establish the School’s academic identity and differentiating strengths.
  • Establish academic priorities and growth plans for degree programs and enrollment.
  • Build the School’s organizational structure, governance processes, and operations.

Academic Excellence

  • Recruit, develop, mentor, and retain high-quality faculty and staff.
  • Oversee the design and launch of new undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs.
  • Ensure excellence in teaching, research, experiential learning, and student engagement.
  • Promote interdisciplinary collaboration across business, innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology programs.
  • Lead business school accreditation planning and execution.

Industry and Economic Engagement

  • Cultivate strong partnerships with regional, national, and global business communities.
  • Advance workforce-aligned programs and executive education initiatives.
  • Support research and innovation initiatives that drive economic development.

External Engagement and Partnerships

  • Foster relationships with industry leaders, alumni, and community partners.
  • Establish and cultivate advisory boards and external stakeholder networks.
  • Position the School as a regional and global thought leader.

Resource Development and Stewardship

  • Collaborate on fundraising, donor engagement, and corporate sponsorship initiatives.
  • Manage budgets responsibly and ensure long-term sustainability.
  • Secure external grants and philanthropy funding to support School and program growth.

Culture and Community

  • Build a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performance culture.
  • Promote ethical leadership, entrepreneurship, and community engagement.
  • Serve as a visible ambassador for the School within the University and beyond.

Minimum Qualifications

  • PhD or DBA in business or a related field.
  • Academic credentials consistent with appointment as a tenured full professor.
  • Demonstrated leadership experience in academic administration.
  • Distinguished record of scholarship.
  • Experience developing academic programs and leading strategic initiatives.
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, researchers, and industry partners.

Preferred Qualifications

  • PhD that meets the minimum qualifications and is from an AACSB accredited institution.
  • Experience with AACSB accreditation.
  • Commitment to interdisciplinary education and research.
  • Demonstrated success in fundraising and external partnership development.
  • Record of industry collaboration.
  • Experience working within innovation- or entrepreneurship focused environments.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will be a visionary leader that blends academic expertise with the ability to influence both academic thought and practical application in the rapidly evolving technological landscape.

This candidate will have a deep passion for bridging the gap between academia and industry. A forward-thinking approach to teaching and research, a commitment to mentorship, and a track record of fostering interdisciplinary collaborations will be key attributes of the Founding Director.

The successful candidate will be:

  • A visionary builder with an entrepreneurial spirit.
  • A respected academic leader with a global perspective.
  • A strategically minded thinker who translates vision into action.
  • A collaborative leader skilled in working across disciplines.
  • An effective communicator and consensus builder.
  • Deeply committed to student success and workforce readiness.
  • Experienced in fostering innovation and economic impact.

University Information

Missouri S&T is one of the nation's leading research universities with over 100-degree programs in 39 disciplines. It was founded in 1870 as one of the first technological institutions west of the Mississippi River. Located about 100 miles west of St. Louis in the vibrant community of Rolla, Missouri S&T is an accessible, safe, and friendly campus surrounded by Ozarks' scenery. Missouri S&T offers undergraduate degrees in engineering, the sciences, liberal arts, humanities, and business, with M.S. and Ph.D. programs available in many of the science and engineering programs. With over 7,000 students and 300 faculty, Missouri S&T is big enough to accommodate a broad population, yet small enough for individuals to build high visibility and impactful careers.

Kummer College

Missouri S&T offers an intellectually stimulating environment that promotes cuttingedge research, collaboration with world-renowned faculty, and engagement with industry leaders. The establishment of the Kummer College was made possible by a transformative $300 million gift from June and Fred Kummer, a 1955 graduate of Missouri S&T. The Jaggi School of Business offers STEM-designated programs in the fields of business and information science and is creating one or more new degrees in finance, accounting, or other areas of industry need. In addition to the Jaggi School of Business, Kummer College also includes the Department of Economics and the Department of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering, each of which participate in interdisciplinary and cross-cutting collaboration and offer undergraduate and graduate programs in their respective fields. 

Jaggi School

The Dennis and Janet Jaggi School of Business is a newly established $12.5million endowed academic unit within the forward-looking Kummer College of Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Economic Development at Missouri S&T, a globally recognized R1 institution.

About Rolla

Rolla, Missouri offers several great advantages that help individuals enjoy a high quality of life. Rolla is an ideal place for families, with its low cost of living, excellent schools, safe neighborhoods, and a range of recreational activities suitable for all ages. The Ozark Scenic Riverways and beautiful landscapes offers abundant opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts of every lifestyle. With its vibrant community, Rolla hosts multiple events, concerts, art exhibitions, and theater performances throughout the year. The university’s Leach Theatre showcases nationally renowned performers for campus and community alike.  Overall, living in Rolla offers a high quality of life with a supportive community, affordable living, beautiful natural surroundings, and numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth.

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses.  For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website.

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity & Title IX at 573-341-7734.