Job Description: Entrepreneurship & Innovation Program Manager

Company: Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
Job Category: Economic Development
Job Type: Full-Time
Salary: $$58,500.00 - $71,650.00 - Yearly

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Entrepreneurship & Innovation Program Manager

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

Position Description

Position Title: Entrepreneurship & Innovation Program Manager

Department: Entrepreneurship & Innovation

Reports to: Startup Ecosystem Director

Position(s) Supervised: N/A

FLSA Status: Exempt

*WEDC is a Wisconsin-based organization, with a remote-work first environment. Remote work is intended to be performed in the State of Wisconsin.

Position Summary

The Entrepreneurship & Innovation Program Manager is responsible for administration of E&I programs and ecosystem initiatives. This position will be a key team member in servicing Wisconsin early stage companies, entrepreneurs, and service providers in relation to E&I programs and initiatives. This includes program management at all stages in the ecosystem investment process as well as outreach and advising for applicants and recipients. The Entrepreneurship & Innovation Program Manager anticipates and supports the needs of internal and external customers, effectively managing multiple complex programs while prioritizing service and process improvement.

Responsibilities

The Entrepreneurship & Innovation Program Manager will spend most of their time on the following activities:

Administration of the Entrepreneurship Programs:
- Conduct proactive outreach to engage potential applicants, including participating in events and conferences.
- Consult with applicants and assist them in designing their projects and completing viable applications.
- Effectively utilize multiple databases to track grant progress and deliverables.
- Draft expected outcomes, review performance requirements and governance, and approve contract language.
- Track and report on measurable outcomes and deliverables.
- Manage processing and approval of performance reports.
- Create and manage contract amendments as necessary.
- Connect past, current and prospective program partners with other internal resources including the Entrepreneurship & Innovation investment programs, or other WEDC programs that are aligned.
Management of startup attraction projects and partnerships:
- Responsible for the overall administration of startup attraction initiatives that includes operating budgets and narratives, and briefing internal and external stakeholders on the annual progress.
- Coordinate with key external partners and sub-awardees to effectively track projects, ensure fund utilization and obtain key data to be included in reporting and evaluation.
- Advise partners on innovative approaches, evolution of project, and expected outcomes.
- Completing the performance reporting through a cross-divisional team. This process includes gathering the submission information, validating the information, compiling and submitting the reports.
- Use project and initiative data to draw insights, trends and recommendations to continuously improve the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Division’s approach.
- Curate networks of ecosystem builders across the country to understand best practices, new approaches, and peer benchmarking.
Act as a resource on issues related to program design and implementation, performing specific evaluation, monitoring, and planning tasks.
Market Entrepreneurship & Innovation programs internally and externally to grow and improve the programs.
Work collaboratively with other WEDC divisions and external partners to market WEDC’s entrepreneurship and innovation programs, and lead effective storytelling around successes.
Manage databases, dashboards and track year-over-year data to ensure programmatic goals are met.
Work with Wisconsin founders and early stage startups to help them access the best resources to support their growth efforts.
Work collaboratively with other WEDC divisions to provide cross-divisional program training and develop best practices in providing technical and financial aid to Wisconsin early-stage startups.

Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance or technology related fields such as entrepreneurship, innovation, technology-based economic development or comparable education/experience/training.
Minimum of 3 years of experience in business finance, entrepreneurship, economic development, communications, public/nonprofit organizations, technology/research & development or related field required.

Skills and Talents:

Ability to organize work, balance multiple priorities, and manage a variety of projects in a fast-paced, flexible work environment with strong attention to detail.
Strong problem-solving skills, sound reasoning, independent judgment and initiative to accomplish tasks with little or no direction and to solve issues/accomplish tasks not requiring the involvement of others.
Quantitative and qualitative analytical skills including but not limited to use of spreadsheets, basic statistical analysis, and identifying key points from written reports.
Advanced computer skills with Microsoft Office Suite of products including database management (CRM), Excel, and other software or applications associated with assigned work.
Public speaking ability and comfort presenting to groups of all sizes.
Strong written and verbal communication skills with experience working with diverse groups of people at all levels, both internal and external to the organization.
Requires a high level of confidentiality, discretion, and professionalism.

Other Requirements

State-wide travel will occur on an occasional basis, between 10-15% of the time. Travel is anticipated to include day and overnight travel.
Based on the responsibilities of this position, this position may need to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

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