What are the responsibilities and job description for the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center Program Manager position at Indiana University Academic Positions?
Position Details
Title Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center Program Manager Appointment Status Non-Tenure Track Department IU Kokomo Academic Affairs Location Kokomo Position Summary * * * FOR INDIANA UNIVERSITY KOKOMO EMPLOYEES ONLY * * *
One of eight campuses of Indiana University, Indiana University Kokomo is a comprehensive non-residential campus located 50 miles north of Indianapolis in Kokomo, Indiana, a city with a population of about 57,000. Committed to student success, the campus serves approximately 3,230 students from a 14-county area in north-central Indiana. lU Kokomo has around 260 full-time faculty and staff. Associate, baccalaureate, and master's degrees are offered. Additional information about Indiana University Kokomo can be accessed at http://Kokomo.iu.edu/ . Accommodations are available in the hiring process for individuals with disabilities. Those needing accommodation should contact the Office of Civil Rights Compliance at 765-455-9316.
One of eight campuses of Indiana University, Indiana University Kokomo is a comprehensive non-residential campus located 50 miles north of Indianapolis in Kokomo, Indiana, a city with a population of about 57,000. Committed to student success, the campus serves approximately 3,230 students from a 14-county area in north-central Indiana. lU Kokomo has around 260 full-time faculty and staff. Associate, baccalaureate, and master's degrees are offered. Additional information about Indiana University Kokomo can be accessed at http://Kokomo.iu.edu/ . Accommodations are available in the hiring process for individuals with disabilities. Those needing accommodation should contact the Office of Civil Rights Compliance at 765-455-9316.
Indiana University is an equal opportunity employer, and a provider of ADA services and prohibits discrimination in hiring. See Indiana University Notice of Non-Discrimination here which includes contact information.
Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center Program Manager Roles & Responsibilities
Position Purpose The Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center Program Manager serves as the operational lead for
IU (Campus)'s Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center and the primary campus liaison to IU Innovates. This individual is responsible for coordinating entrepreneurship programming, cultivating student engagement, activating the center as a hub of innovation, and connecting students with faculty, alumni, and community partners.
Working collaboratively with campus leadership and IU Innovates, the Program Manager builds a vibrant entrepreneurship ecosystem that guides students through the IU Innovates Learning & Launch Journey-supporting learners from initial curiosity and problem exploration through venture development, customer discovery, and launch.
Core Objectives - Build a vibrant campus entrepreneurship community.
- Guide students through the IU Innovates Learning & Launch Journey.
- Activate the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center as the campus hub for innovation.
- Strengthen connections between campus, alumni, and the regional entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Primary Responsibilities
- Serve as the primary point of contact for students interested in entrepreneurship and innovation.
- Provide direct coaching and mentorship through one-on-one meetings, Founder Groups, workshops, bootcamps, and other experiential learning opportunities.
- Assess each student's stage in the IU Innovates Learning & Launch Journey and provide individualized guidance, accountability, and connections to mentors, alumni, investors, funding opportunities, and campus resources.
- Foster a welcoming and inclusive environment that encourages students to explore ideas, develop ventures, and engage with the entrepreneurship community.
- Coordinate implementation of IU Innovates programming at IU (Campus) that supports students throughout the Learning & Launch Journey.
- Develop and maintain the annual entrepreneurship programming calendar in collaboration with campus partners.
- Plan and execute workshops, Founder Groups, speaker events, networking opportunities, pitch competitions, bootcamps, and other entrepreneurship programming.
- Ensure programming aligns with campus priorities while maintaining consistency with the IU Innovates statewide framework.
- Activate the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center as a vibrant gathering space for students.
- Coordinate drop-in hours, networking opportunities, community-building activities, and regular center programming.
- Collaborate with faculty and campus partners to integrate entrepreneurship into academic and co-curricular experiences.
- Increase student awareness and utilization of the Center.
- Recruit, hire, train, and supervise student Community Managers.
- Coordinate Community Manager schedules, office hours, Founder Groups, and student engagement activities.
- Hold regular planning meetings and provide ongoing coaching to ensure consistent program delivery and peer mentorship.
- Build relationships with faculty, alumni, entrepreneurs, investors, and regional ecosystem partners.
- Connect students to entrepreneurship events, accelerators, competitions, mentors, internships, and funding opportunities.
- Expand partnerships that enhance experiential learning and strengthen the campus entrepreneurship ecosystem.
- Coordinate logistics for entrepreneurship programming and events.
- Collaborate with IU Innovates on communications, storytelling, marketing, reporting, and statewide initiatives.
- Maintain calendars, documentation, program resources, and other operational materials.
- Track student participation, venture progression, and outcomes across the IU Innovates Learning & Launch Journey.
- Collect student feedback and recommend program improvements.
- Prepare reports and updates for campus leadership, IU Innovates, and external stakeholders.
- Monitor key performance indicators related to engagement, venture development, mentorship, and ecosystem growth.
The Program Manager will work collaboratively with:
- IU (Campus) faculty and staff
- IU Innovates leadership
- Student Community Managers
- Student entrepreneurs
- Alumni founders
- Regional entrepreneurship ecosystem partners
- Community organizations and funders
The ideal candidate demonstrates:
- Strong project or program management experience.
- Experience working with students, founders, startups, nonprofits, or innovation initiatives.
- Excellent relationship-building and communication skills.
- Ability to organize and manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
- Comfort working in a collaborative, entrepreneurial environment.
- Passion for helping students progress through the IU Innovates Learning & Launch Journey while building an inclusive entrepreneurship ecosystem.
- Previous entrepreneurial or founder experience preferred.
For further information, please contact Academic Affairs at 765.455-9248.
Additional Qualifications Success Measures Success in this role will be demonstrated through:
- Increased student participation in entrepreneurship programming.
- Growth in the number of students progressing through successive stages of the IU Innovates Learning & Launch Journey.
- Strong participation in Founder Groups, workshops, and mentorship opportunities.
- Active utilization of the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center.
- Strong collaboration across campus and with regional ecosystem partners.
- Increased student venture development, prototype creation, customer discovery, and venture launches.
- Positive student satisfaction and engagement.
- Effective execution of entrepreneurship programming and events.
- Meaningful contributions to the growth of IU Innovates' statewide entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Applicants should submit a letter of application addressing your qualifications for this position given the requirements and preferences above. Please include a curriculum vitae and contact information. Review of applications will begin August 12, 2026. Interested candidates should upload their application at:https://indiana.peopleadmin.com/postings/33944.
For Best Consideration Date 08/12/2026 Expected Start Date 08/24/2026 Posting Number IU-101619-2026