Specialist, Venture Programs, Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking, VP Research

Position Overview

The Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking under the VP Research invites applications for a Specialist, Venture Programs. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 1 year (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.

Reporting to the Executive Director of 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 and engagement activities and programs in entrepreneurial thinking and innovation that reach a large, broad and diverse audience of students, staff and faculty across the university and beyond.

The primary purpose of this position is to empower students, staff and faculty across all faculties to be more entrepreneurial, and to prepare create, coordinate, communicate and deliver entrepreneurial thinking and entrepreneurship activities, initiatives and programs for the community in line with the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking strategy for the STEAM portfolio (i.e. science, tech, engineering, arts, and math) which covers all fourteen faculties. This includes the Launchpad 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 students, faculty, and staff across the university and with community partners. 

Position Description

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

• Develop personas and formulate outreach strategies for each to reach a diversity of students from different disciplines and backgrounds to engage in our interdisciplinary STEAM programming and build our community.
• Be a strong, inspiring ambassador for the Hunter Hub by engaging with students, staff and faculty on a daily basis and in the community, and promoting the exciting opportunities in entrepreneurial thinking and innovation across the university available to them.
• Work creatively and collaboratively with the Students Union, a broad range of student groups and departments to develop outreach plans for entrepreneurial thinking and innovation for students. Outreach may include, but not limited to, classroom presentations, creating outreach materials, competitions or challenges, and/or planning and supporting other innovation activities held across campus.
• Work with the Executive Director to design, organize and lead the delivery of a calendar of entrepreneurial thinking and innovation co-curricular events, programs and initiatives for the STEAM portfolio (i.e. science, technology, engineering, arts and math) which may involve one or more faculties or partner organizations; A key strategic initiative in this portfolio will be the interdisciplinary Launchpad program; Support Launchpad programming team as a coach for startup teams.
• Provide expert advice, coaching and training on entrepreneurial thinking and innovation to students in the classroom or via innovation initiatives to build capacity around entrepreneurial thinking and innovation.
• Create detailed project plans and formal communications such as Event Briefs with programming leads (Academic Director, Executive Director or faculty leads, etc.) 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:

• One or more university degrees in innovation, business, entrepreneurship and/or education. A Master's degree is an asset.
• A background in innovation, business, entrepreneurship and/or education background
• 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.
• 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:  Review of applications will begin March 4, 2022. This posting will remain open until filled.

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.

Additional Information

This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Specialist/Advisor Job Family, Phase III.

To find out more about management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary and all we have to offer, view our Management and Staff Careers website. 

COVIDSafe Campus Strategy

The University has implemented a new Vaccination Directive that requires all faculty and staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by January 1, 2022. You will be required to upload proof of vaccination prior to commencing your duties. Please review the COVIDSafe Campus website for further information and access to additional resources.

About the University of Calgary

The University of Calgary is Canada’s leading next-generation university – a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude. Located in the nation’s most enterprising city, the university is making tremendous progress on its Eyes High journey to be recognized as one of Canada’s top five research universities, grounded in innovative learning and teaching and fully integrated with the community it both serves and leads. The University of Calgary inspires and supports discovery, creativity and innovation across all disciplines. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy in line with the foundational goals of Eyes High, 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.

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 professional success while they are here. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.