Team Leader

Job Title: Team Leader

Reports to: Team Director

Employment Dates and Locations:

• June 14 - July 12, 2026 (Includes mandatory training June 14 - June 21, 2026) University of Kentucky (Lexington, Kentucky)

Pay: $17/hr (Includes room and meals)

About the Governor’s School for Entrepreneurs:

The Governor's School for Entrepreneurs (GSE) identifies, inspires, and empowers Kentucky’s future innovators and business leaders. Our three-week Summer Startup program immerses high school students in a fast-paced entrepreneurial experience, from selecting a startup idea, to creating a prototype, to pitching their business plan. Since 2013 we have impacted the lives of more than 1,000 high school students. Summer Startup participants are eligible for millions of dollars in college scholarships. Our Collegiate Pitch program is Kentucky’s largest collegiate pitch competition and provides access to thousands of dollars in funding. GSE’s newest initiative is our growing alumni program. We are an independent, non-profit 501c3. We are committed to diversity and inclusivity in our cohorts. Our alums have launched more than 70 businesses and filed for multiple patents. We have reached a powerful stage of growth in GSE’s evolution as we start our second decade of fostering creative and collaborative learning, along with economic development. We aim to serve the entire state of Kentucky through our programming.

Job Description:

Team Leaders work directly with the Team Director and Instructional Coaches to help guide the student teams through the process of their product/service design, development, and through the components of a business model. Team Leaders should be good at motivating students, spotting and addressing conflict early, and keeping teams on task. Upper level undergraduate students, graduate students and teachers make great Team Leaders.  Prior knowledge of business models and business startups is a huge plus, but not required. A room and all meals are provided at no cost. Team Leaders are expected to participate in a living-learning/working situation with students that will require 40-50 hours a week. However, Team Leaders are welcome to commute to campus/program activities if preferred. Team leaders will accompany our entrepreneurs on field trips, site visits, recreational outings, and help manage the day to day activities of the GSE program.

Responsibilities:

• Plan and execute classroom activities that will help facilitate an environment for student autonomous learning in conjunction with GSE instructional coaches.
• Supervise up to 25 high school entrepreneurs daily to ensure all students are learning in a safe and productive environment.
• Motivate and encourage entrepreneurs while also helping teams address and resolve conflict quickly with help from Summer Program Counselor when needed.
• Maintain close communication with instructional coaches and work with them to help guide the student teams through the process of their product/service design, development, and through the components of a business model.
• Assist in providing for the safety and well-being of entrepreneurs while under the care and/or supervision of the residential program.
• Prioritize the quality of the student experience and what is best for them socially and emotionally.
• Ensure your classroom is clean and orderly.
• Be a contributing and communicating member of the staff team always focusing on the wider community’s role and goals. Remain prompt, tidy, and respectful of others.
• In cooperation with GSE admin, provide supervision for all GSE field trips, assist with additional summer program preparations as needed, cooperate and work in coordination with Summer Program Counselor in support of students as needed.
• Available during meals and during other non-instructional daytime hours for program planning, evaluation, scheduling and student issues as needed.
• Serve as liaison between residence life and instructional coaches communicating logistics for daily activities with particular attention to field trips and Demo Day.
• Maintain close communication on a frequent basis with the GSE Admin, including attendance at weekly Team Leader meetings.
• Enforce and abide by rules, regulations and procedures for community living as published in the GSE Staff Handbook.
• Effectively balance between authority figure and mentor with entrepreneurs by being approachable but setting boundaries where needed; professionalism is expected at all times.
   

Requirements:

• Prior knowledge of business models and business startups is a huge plus, but not required.
• Proven leadership ability. Superior interpersonal skills, including conflict resolution.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Experience in residential educational programs and camps.
• Self-starter, must be able to work alone with a minimum amount of supervision.
• Live in-residence during the summer program and training week during June and July, in the host campus dormitory.
• Bachelor’s Degree or pursuit of degree; at least one year of college or equivalent required to apply
   

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability.