**SUMMARY:** The Senior Director, Ventures plays a critical role in building and scaling new businesses that will shape CoreCivic’s long-term growth. Combines entrepreneurial drive with strategic discipline to identify, validate, and grow adjacent and new market opportunities, with particular focus on technology-enabled solutions and services. Serves as a builder and operator moving ideas from concept to market, securing early customers, and developing scalable business models. Partners with the executive team to ensure ventures are aligned to CoreCivic’s broader strategy, while operating with the speed and autonomy required to compete in new markets. **ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:** The incumbent should be able to perform all of the following functions at a pace and level of performance consistent with the job performance requirements. 1. Shapes corporate growth strategy by sourcing, evaluating, and recommending new venture opportunities. Develops financial models, market sizing, and competitive landscapes to inform venture investment decisions. Provides operating best practices that translate into scalable revenue and margin improvements. 2. Engages directly with customers, partners, and market stakeholders to validate unmet needs and test new business concepts. Builds and maintains networks with industry experts, entrepreneurs, and investors to stay ahead of emerging opportunities. Translates insights into investable business cases that influence corporate strategy. 3. Oversees the incubation and launch of new ventures, from MVP development through go-to-market execution. Builds cross-functional teams, establishes agile ways of working, and ensures ventures move quickly from pilot to first paying customer. Establishes repeatable processes to achieve early traction and prepare for scale. 4. Leads the development of venture P&Ls, budgets, and capital requirements. Ensures ventures achieve defined milestones (LOIs, first customers, scalable growth metrics). Balances entrepreneurial experimentation with disciplined fiscal management 5. Brings an external, future-focused perspective on technology, policy, and industry trends. Champions first-principles and evidence-based decision-making across the Ventures portfolio. Actively shapes and refines the venture governance process to improve speed and outcomes. 6. Leads cross-functional initiatives that span CoreCivic and Ventures, ensuring alignment and collaboration without slowing down execution. Partners in change management during acquisitions, partnerships, or venture spinouts. Strengthens CoreCivic’s reputation as an innovator and partner of choice for government and community stakeholders. 7. Builds early customer relationships, secures design partners, and drives pilots to commercialization. Partners with business development teams to prepare bids and proposals for new venture opportunities. Develops partnerships with external providers, start-ups, and technology firms to accelerate time to market. 8. Domestic U.S. travel may be required. **QUALIFICATIONS:** Graduate from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Business, Technology, Public Policy, or Social Sciences is required. Graduate degree (MBA, MPA, or related) preferred. Seven years of experience with increasing responsibility in venture building, corporate strategy, or high-growth business leadership is required. Demonstrated experience in building and scaling new businesses from concept to first revenue with measurable success in achieving growth targets. Knowledge of performance-based government contracting and evidence-based service models preferred. Highly effective interpersonal skills to engage senior executives, government partners, and external stakeholders. Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills with a proven ability to turn insights into action. Knowledge of AI tools for discovery, prototyping, and data analytics, and demonstrated ability to apply them in venture design, customer validation, and operational scaling. Comfort with ambiguity, ability to operate autonomously, and strong entrepreneurial orientation. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and other business productivity tools is required. _CoreCivic is a Drug Free Workplace & EOE – M/F/Vets/Disabled._