Description
The Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking under the Office of the President invites applications for a Specialist, Venture Programs. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 2 years (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.
Reporting to the Senior Manager of Programs and Events at the Hunter Hub as a member of the Hunter Hub programming team and working across all innovation organizations and faculties of the university, the Venture Programs Specialist will create, coordinate, communicate and deliver successful, innovative community outreach, engagement activities, and programs in entrepreneurship and innovation that reach a large, broad and diverse audience of UCalgary community members.
The primary purpose of this position is to empower the UCalgary community across all faculties to engage in entrepreneurship, and to plan, execute, and manage entrepreneurship activities, initiatives and programs for the community in line with the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking strategy which covers all fourteen faculties. This includes the Launchpad program, the Business Playbook program, and other entrepreneurial thinking and entrepreneurship events, presentations, workshops, hackathons, and fairs; and other strategic and/or partnership initiatives.
The incumbent will be a passionate ambassador for the innovation community at U Calgary and will work closely with the UCalgary community across the university and with community partners.
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
- Develop, execute, and manage the delivery of a calendar of entrepreneurship and innovation co-curricular events, programs and initiatives which may involve one or more faculties or partner organizations; a key strategic initiative in this portfolio will be the interdisciplinary Launchpad program and the Business Playbook program.
- Provide expert advice, coaching and training on entrepreneurship and innovation to Hunter Hub community members and startups via programming or the Innovation Sandbox to build capacity around entrepreneurship.
- Foster initiatives to promote interdisciplinary team formation and peer-to-peer learning for the UCalgary community
- Work with the marcom team to develop outreach strategies for each to reach a diversity of UCalgary community members to engage in our programming and build our community.
- Be a strong, inspiring ambassador for the Hunter Hub by engaging with the UCalgary community on a daily basis and promote the exciting opportunities in entrepreneurship and innovation across the university available to them; be a community ambassador for the Hunter Hub by attending external and community events.
- Create detailed project plans and formal communications such as Event Briefs and take ownership over all aspects and logistics of the professional delivery of events, programs and initiatives that encourage or reward innovation experiences such as hackathons, challenges, scholarships, prize competitions and entrepreneurship programs either within the Hunter Hub Collision Space, at other locations, or taking place online.
- Contribute to the development of high impact communications plans with internal/external partners, sponsors and partners for all initiatives and coordinate their implementation working alongside the appropriate person(s) within the Hunter Hub team or externally; Develop and implement stakeholder strategies and project manage advisory or other stakeholder committees as needed.
- Help to grow the University's and the Hunter Hub's brand in entrepreneurial thinking and innovation through creating and delivering presentations and content for programs to support ventures created by the UCalgary community.
- Develop relevant and engaging entrepreneurial thinking presentations, resources and learning materials for students, faculty and marcom channels and programs, as needed; Support the development of cutting-edge content with subject matter experts as needed.
Qualifications / Requirements:
- A university degrees in business and/or education that incorporates a background in innovation or entrepreneurship.
- Passionate about entrepreneurial thinking, entrepreneurship and innovation.
- Demonstrated expertise in entrepreneurial thinking and/or student talent development: 5+ years experience running entrepreneurial, social innovation and/or education activities or student talent development projects or programs.
- Experience in an academic environment with a diverse cohort of inexperienced innovators from technical and/or arts/humanities domains is an asset.
- Experience teaching is an asset.
- Experience with cross-faculty education, initiatives, entrepreneurship and the development of the innovation ecosystem at the University of Calgary is an advantage.
- Superior organizational skills required. Demonstrated project planning skills and experience successfully running impactful, high quality, multi-stakeholder events and initiatives.
- The incumbent will have an in-depth knowledge of local innovation ecosystems; demonstrated experience in developing collaborative relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
- Knowledge and understanding of University plans and policies, as well as structure, governance, and decision-making processes is an asset.
- You will be required to stay late and work adjusted hours to implement program delivery.
- You will be required to work on Main Campus and Foothills Campus.
- Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills (verbal/presentation and written skills) with strong attention to detail and high degree of professionalism is required.
- Demonstrated ability to work both independently and in a team environment that is complex and fast-moving.
- Sound judgement, problem-solving and negotiation skills required.
- Experience managing budgets and ensuring fiscal responsibility.
- Excellent computer skills in Microsoft Office are required. Experience with University core business systems (Peoplesoft, eFIN, enterprise reporting, etc.) is an asset.
Application Deadline: April 17, 2025
We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.
This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Specialist/Advisor Job Family, Phase 3.
For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.
About the University of Calgary
UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.
The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.
As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments (equity@ucalgary.ca) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources (hrhire@ucalgary.ca).
Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.
We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.
