Program Manager

Job Title

Program Manager

Agency

Texas A&M University

Department

Center for New Ventures and Entrepreneurship

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Our Commitment

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment for all visitors, students, faculty, and staff by promoting a culture that embraces inclusion, diversity, equity, and accountability.  Diverse perspectives, talents, and identities are vital to accomplishing our mission and living our core values .

Who we are

The McFerrin Center for Entrepreneurship seeks to enhance the livelihood of Texas A&M University and the greater community. Since 1999, the McFerrin Center for Entrepreneurship has served as the hub of entrepreneurship for Texas A&M University. We’re committed to the success of entrepreneurs and believe that they are the cornerstone of a robust economy and nation. The McFerrin Center provides events, programs, scholarships, competitions and more to enterprising students, faculty and former students. With the support of our volunteer network, corporate partners, faculty, and staff, the McFerrin Center for Entrepreneurship has been able to support the achievements of entrepreneurs within the Aggie Network and throughout the State of Texas.

What we want

The Program Manager is responsible for organizing and managing the planning, development, and implementation of entrepreneurship and business support programs and related initiatives targeting non-student entrepreneurs across the Texas A&M University entrepreneurial ecosystem. Focuses especially on Former Student engagement in programs, resources and network tools to support this community of stakeholders in the launch, operation and growth of their business ventures. Coordinates with other staff working on program implementation and directly supports the Assistant Director with programmatic strategy and direction for both current and new initiative targeting current student entrepreneurs. The selected candidate will subscribe to and support our commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability as stated above. If this job description sounds interesting to you, we invite you to apply to be considered for this opportunity.

What you need to know

Cover Letter/Resume’: A cover letter and resume’ are strongly recommended. You may upload these documents on the application under CV/Resume.

COVID-19 information:  Texas A&M University monitors local, state and federally mandated health guidelines to keep students, employees, prospective employees, and visitors as safe as possible. For the latest information regarding Texas A&M’s COVID-19 response, please visit the University’s COVID-19 website . For COVID-19 employment-related information, please visit the Division of Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness’ COVID-19 website .

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Five years of related program management and entrepreneurship education/training, small business advising, business strategy, or other related field.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet applications and effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal, leadership, problem solving and organizational skills.
• Maintains attention to detail and utilizes sound judgement.
• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others.
• Ability to successfully manage projects concurrently while meeting assigned deadlines and maintaining excellent work.
• High-level of drive, energy, and curiosity to consistently meet and engage former student entrepreneurs throughout the state of Texas.

Other Requirements or Other Factors:

• Flexibility to travel including evenings, overnight and weekends to meet with former students at their place of business.
• The position requires frequent weekend and evening hours for travel and/or attending McFerrin Center events.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in a business-related field (e.g., entrepreneurship, business administration, finance, etc.).
• Six or more years of program management experience in entrepreneurship education/training, small business advising, business strategy, or closely related field.
• Experience supervising one or more full-time employees while working in a dynamic team environment.
• Experience in conducting in-person or online education or training programs.
• Experience with successfully obtaining grant or other program sponsorship funding is also strongly preferred.
• Specific experience with developing and managing programs/services/resources relating to entrepreneurship, technology commercialization, or other key aspects of launching/scaling a business.
• Experience in successfully founding/scaling a startup or small business or other experience directly supporting entrepreneurs/owners with their business plans and strategy is strongly preferred.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and Google or related software.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with sharp attention to detail. Ability to act with integrity, professionalism and confidentiality.
• Must be able and willing to work in a dynamic team environment.
• Ability to effectively develop and manage professional relationships with a variety of internal/external stakeholders, including current/former students, university staff/leadership, industry partners, and private and government sponsors.
• Direct knowledge of entrepreneurship principles and other fundamentals of launching, running, and growing a business entity.

Responsibilities:

• PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT - Work with the Assistant Director to plan, manage, and implement various education, training, and related services/resources to support entrepreneurs and business owners with the launch, operation, and growth of their business. Includes identifying/assessing stakeholder needs, building and developing the content/services/resources to meet those needs, and facilitating their delivery to program stakeholders through events, workshops, lectures or other means. Perform regular portfolio maintenance and enhancement of related McFerrin Center programs, past participants, and supplemental programming to further support. Coordinate with additional McFerrin Center staff on program logistics to ensure they are executed in accordance with McFerrin Center standards and procedures, maintaining compliance with TAMU & Mays policies, rules & procedures.

• OPERATIONAL SUPPORT - Manage inquiries and requests for program information and support the recruitment of former students as new program participants. Ensure all communications and marketing for entrepreneurship and business support services/programs are coordinated with McFerrin Center communications staff. Manage the development of proposals and other documents necessary for the McFerrin Center to pursue grant, ranking, and other related opportunities. Regularly review current grants and develop/manage processes for collecting all necessary data as it relates to former student involvement and entrepreneurial achievements. Communicate all updates and information for the maintenance of McFerrin Center records and databases in regard to former students and their business status. Maintain strong working relationships with a variety of program stakeholders – including participants, mentors, sponsors and other university/industry partners.

• PROGRAM EVALUATION & STRATEGIC PLANNING - Assist with the evaluation of current entrepreneurship and business support programs against McFerrin Center goals and objectives. Analyze data and develop recommendations that will support planning/decision-making for entrepreneurship and business support services/programs. Support development of and assist with monitoring program budgets. Prepare reports on program activities as needed for grants, program sponsors, or McFerrin Center leadership. Assist with the research and evaluation of additional opportunities that will support the growth of entrepreneurship/business services and programs at the McFerrin Center and enhance its ability to engage with various stakeholders in the launch and execution phases of their business and perform other duties as assigned.

Instructions to Applicants: Applications received by Texas A&M University must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to pre-populate the online application.

In accordance with the federal contractor vaccination mandate , specific facilities at The Texas A&M System may be considered a covered contractor workplace with covered contractor employees. Therefore, successful applicants for this position may be subject to the federal mandate to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment unless an approved medical or religious accommodation is in place.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer committed to diversity.