Entrepreneurship Program Coordinator

The UVA Wise Office of Economic Development and Engagement serves Southwest Virginia communities, citizens, and employers to support our region’s vitality through economic development, education, entrepreneurship, innovation, health and wellness. Our service and support extend to UVA Wise students, faculty, and staff, professionals including those in economic development as well as organizations, employers and citizens of the region.

The Entrepreneurship Program Coordinator is responsible for building a culture of entrepreneurship on the UVA Wise campus and connect student entrepreneurs, faculty and staff to regional resources and strategies. Specifically, the Entrepreneurship Program Coordinator will be responsible for the following: 

• UVA Wise Entrepreneurship Capacity 

1. Building entrepreneurial capacity at UVA Wise by planning and coordinating various programs, workshops, and competitions that expose students to entrepreneurship, inspire and encourage students to start ventures, connect them with resources and mentors, and support them as they move their business ideas forward.
2. Planning and coordinating student entrepreneur competitions (events such as the UVA Wise Entrepreneurship Cup). This can include designing the competitions and events, encouraging student participation, overseeing logistics for the events, and recruiting sponsors and mentors to assist and support student needs.
3. Planning and coordinating an annual trip for entrepreneurial students to attend a founder’s summit and/or a trip to visit UVA, Forge, and UVA’s i.Lab.
4. Managing nesthouse, a collaborative space off-campus for student entrepreneurs and community members to work on their projects, to include designing and coordinating programs, managing co-working space, and exploring funding opportunities and building relationships with potential funders.
5. Building and maintaining relationships with UVA Wise staff and faculty to better engage student entrepreneurs and enhance their level of entrepreneurial learning.
6. Providing guidance and support to the nest entrepreneurship club to include assisting with weekly meetings, various programs and events, student recruitment, and social media.
7. Overseeing outreach and communication efforts for student entrepreneurship, including website maintenance, presentation material, correspondence with sponsors, and reports.
8. Providing experiential opportunities for students by managing and supporting student interns.
9. Managing budgets and reports related to each program, grant and overall office operations. 

• Regional Outreach & Community Engagement 

1. Participating in the regional entrepreneurial support network, Opportunity SWVA and contribute to the group’s identification of goals and strategic planning; assist with the facilitation of action teams, planning and organizing of bi-monthly meetings, and working with regional partners on programs and events.
2. Contributing to the promotion of Opportunity SWVA initiatives and the SWVA region as an entrepreneurial center by building and maintaining relationships with partners and funders; contributing to the development of reports and marketing materials; presenting the initiative’s work throughout the region, and providing content for the website and social media outlets.
3. Providing direct support to potential and existing entrepreneurs in the region, when appropriate by connecting them with the appropriate resource partners, tracking their progress, and following up with them on a regular basis.
4. Assisting with coordination and implementation of K-12 entrepreneurial programming
5. Assist with Rally SWVA when needed and promote opportunities for students, faculty and staff to engage in community development work.
6. Supporting activities at Oxbow Center in St Paul when needed including the Hatch Business Accelerator. 

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Required for this Position

• Bachelor’s degree in management, business administration, marketing, communication or related field;
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience working in or supporting small businesses, entrepreneurs and/or student entrepreneurial ventures or associated programming;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills as well as social media marketing and promotion;
• Entrepreneurial experience launching or working in a startup (preferred);
• Must have the ability to handle multiple assignments, organize work and establish priorities with minimal supervision;
• Ability to coordinate and lead meetings, including public speaking;
• Accurate and precise attention to detail;
• Flexibility to work some nights or weekends as may arise from certain event attendance. 

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Interested candidates need to apply at https://hr.virginia.edu/careers-uva.  Please include a resume, cover letter and contact information for at least three references.

Employee fulfills duties as a “responsible employee” under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.  A Responsible employee includes any employee:  who has the authority to take action to redress sexual violence; who has been given the duty of reporting incidents of sexual violence or any other misconduct by students to the Title IX Coordinator or other appropriate school designee; or whom a student could reasonably believe has this authority or duty.

UVA Wise is committed to helping the campus community provide for their own safety and security.  The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report containing information on campus security and personal safety, including alerts, fire safety, crime prevention tips, and crime statistics is available at www.uvawise.edu/ASR.  A copy is available upon request by calling 276-328-0190 or 276-376-3451.

UVA Wise is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to excellence through diversity. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The University of Virginia, including the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff.  We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences.  We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, military status, and family medical or genetic information.

COVID Vaccination Requirement and Guidelines

Please visit the UVA COVID-19 Job Requirements and Guidelines webpage prior to applying for current information regarding vaccination requirements and guidelines for employment at UVA.