Careers
Program Manager, Commercialization
The Program Manager, Commercialization plays a vital role in the success of the Science Center's Commercialization programs, ensuring their smooth execution, impact, and alignment with organizational goals.
The Program Manager will lead all aspects of program planning and implementation, in line with the budget. They will support evaluation, and collaboration with diverse stakeholders and cross-functional teams. This strategic and results-oriented position requires an experienced, adept professional with expertise in program management, event planning, and effective communication, skilled at managing the complexity of multiple concurrent program logistics and stakeholder outreach efforts — from minor logistical details to large-scale customer relationship management (CRM).
The Commercialization team offers key programming to startups and entrepreneurs. This role is essential in helping startups navigate their commercialization journey and contribute to the program's impact and success. The Program Manager, Commercialization will primarily provide operational management of the Science Center's entrepreneurial commercialization programs. The Program Manager will ensure the programs are run with quality and efficiency, while maintaining participant engagement and successful program completion. The Program Manager works closely with Commercialization team members, along with internal and external stakeholders to manage programs within approved budgets and meet timelines and benchmarks for assigned programs and projects.
The Program Manager's primary responsibilities include program planning and coordination, program execution and facilitation, and relationship building and communication.
This position has access to sensitive Science Center information and is expected to handle such information with integrity and professionalism. The Program Manager will report directly to the Director of Commercialization Programming. This position will participate in additional department activities, as necessary.
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Essential Functions
Program Planning and Coordination
- Formulate, organize, and monitor project plans for assigned programs and projects, ensuring on-time and on-budget delivery of Commercialization programs and activities.
- Implement detailed program plans, ensuring logical flow, variety, and engagement.
- Facilitate pre-planning meetings with internal and external teams to discuss logistics, expectations, and roles.
- Manage logistics for all program components, including onsite facilities, technology, catering, and participant materials.
- Balance granular logistical details with concurrent, large-scale coordination across multiple programs and stakeholder groups.
- Coordinate and oversee speaker contracts, travel arrangements, and stipends.
- Track expenses, and adapt plans based on resource availability. Ensure that program and activity tasks are implemented within deadlines and budgets.
- Follow up on travel and expense (T&E) logistics for speakers and investors, and manage related invoice processing and reimbursement requests.
- Identify and mitigate risks associated with achieving program deliverables, developing, and implementing mitigation strategies.
- Maintain the program's Change Control Log, curriculum, and delivery changes between program cohorts.
- Support production reports and/or materials to provide to leadership and external stakeholders.
- Support the collection data and qualitative analyses relevant for Commercialization programs and projects.
- Complete and maintain key documentation across assigned functions, programs, and projects within Commercialization.
Program Execution and Facilitation
- Oversee the smooth day-to-day execution of programs, proactively addressing any challenges or issues.
- Facilitate program session logistics, ensuring a positive learning environment.
- Manage time effectively and adapt schedules as needed to maintain program pace and objectives.
- Collect, analyze, and share participant feedback with Director of Commercialization Programs to improve program delivery and content in future iterations.
- Manage participant engagement throughout programs, supporting their progress through the completion of the program.
- Work with the Director of Commercialization Programs to document program progress, growth, and opportunities for grant reporting requirements.
- Coordinate the judging and candidate selection process, including reviewing rubrics and scoring materials with the Director.
Task Management and Meeting Coordination
- Assign and track tasks for team members, ensuring deadlines and deliverables are met.
- Facilitate weekly meetings, including preparing agendas, taking detailed notes, and ensuring follow-up on action items.
- Provide clear and consistent updates to leadership on program progress and team performance.
Relationship Building and Communication
- Work with the Director of Commercialization Programs to build strong relationships with participants, internal and external stakeholders through relationship management and content management systems.
- In coordination with the Director of Commercialization Programs, engage the Science Center's existing network of subject matter experts (SMEs) to secure speaking engagements and office hours for program sessions.
- Schedule and manage onboarding meetings for incoming program participants, investors, and SMEs.
- Collect, collate, and organize speaker and session presentation materials ahead of each program delivery.
- Provide clear and consistent updates throughout the project planning and execution process.
- Proactively share concerns and questions from all stakeholders and provide recommended mitigation plans to Director of Commercialization Programs.
- Represent the organization professionally and effectively.
- Share best practices and lessons learned across the Commercialization Programming team.
- Maintain and update communication SOPs and email templates for program stakeholders, in coordination with the Director.
Data Analytics and Reporting
- Track key performance indicators (KPIs), analyzing data and reporting on program performance.
- Manages and maintains department and programmatic data in Salesforce.
- Supporting Director of Commercialization Programming with organization and impact reporting data.
Requirements
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Program Management
- Proven expertise in planning, and implementing programs and events.
- Excellent organizational, project, and task management skills.
- Clear views and positions without being dogmatic, favoring a consensus-oriented approach to decision-making.
- Ability to manage multiple facets of event planning and program implementation with strong attention to detail in an often fast-paced and constantly changing environment, including simultaneous oversight of granular program logistics and large-scale customer relationship management (CRM) across multiple concurrent programs.
- Ability to follow-up and follow-through with strong attention to detail.
Communication and Collaboration
- Outstanding written and oral communication skills, coupled with active listening skills.
- Strong meeting facilitation skills.
- An inclusive, welcoming, and hospitable approach to building strong communities and solving problems directly and ethically.
- Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively across diverse business, academic, government, and community stakeholders, both verbally and in writing, with exceptional listening skills.
- Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with diverse stakeholders.
Technical Skills
- A strong relationship with technology and proficiency in relevant software and tools.
- Adept at using Salesforce as a CRM tool to manage program and stakeholder data.
- Familiarity with data analysis and reporting methods.
- Potential need for technical skills specific to program types (e.g., online learning platforms, Microsoft Office Suite).
Other
- Knowledge of the startup ecosystem and commercialization processes.
- Risk management experience (preferred).
- Leadership skills to motivate and lead without authority.
- Possesses strong interpersonal skills as demonstrated by compassionate, courteous, cordial, cooperative, and professional interaction with diverse groups of co-workers, external business partners, and the community.
- Adheres to all Science Center and departmental policies and procedures.
Experience, Education, and Licensure
Minimum Experience:
- 3–5 years of experience in a program management ownership, preferably within a commercialization or startup context.
Minimum Education:
- BA/BS degree in a relevant field (e.g., business, science, technology) from an accredited college or university or commensurate professional experience; PMP or commensurate certification and experience preferred.
Salary Description
$70,000 – $78,000