Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
Position Description
Position Title: Entrepreneurship & innovation Program Manager
Department: Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Reports to: Startup Ecosystem Director
Position(s) Supervised: N/A
FLSA Status: Exempt
*WEDC is a Wisconsin-based organization, with a remote-work first environment. Remote work is intended to be performed in the State of Wisconsin.
Position Summary
The Entrepreneurship & Innovation Program Manager is responsible for administration of E&I programs and ecosystem initiatives. This position will be a key team member in servicing Wisconsin early stage companies, entrepreneurs, and service providers in relation to E&I programs and initiatives. This includes program management at all stages in the ecosystem investment process as well as outreach and advising for applicants and recipients. The Entrepreneurship & Innovation Program Manager anticipates and supports the needs of internal and external customers, effectively managing multiple complex programs while prioritizing service and process improvement.
Responsibilities
The Entrepreneurship & Innovation Program Manager will spend most of their time on the following activities:
- Administration of the Entrepreneurship Programs.
- Conduct proactive outreach to engage potential applicants, including participating in events and conferences.
- Consult with applicants and assist them in designing their projects and completing viable applications.
- Effectively utilize multiple databases to track grant progress and deliverables.
- Draft expected outcomes, review performance requirements and governance, and approve contract language.
- Track and report on measurable outcomes and deliverables.
- Manage processing and approval of performance reports.
- Create and manage contract amendments as necessary.
- Connect past, current and prospective program partners with other internal resources including the Entrepreneurship & Innovation investment programs, or other WEDC programs that are aligned.
- Management of startup attraction projects and partnerships:
- Responsible for the overall administration of startup attraction initiatives that includes operating budgets and narratives, and briefing internal and external stakeholders on the annual progress.
- Coordinate with key external partners and sub-awardees to effectively track projects, ensure fund utilization and obtain key data to be included in reporting and evaluation.
- Advise partners on innovative approaches, evolution of project, and expected outcomes.
- Completing the performance reporting through a cross-divisional team. This process includes gathering the submission information, validating the information, compiling and submitting the reports.
- Use project and initiative data to draw insights, trends and recommendations to continuously improve the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Division’s approach.
- Curate networks of ecosystem builders across the country to understand best practices, new approaches, and peer benchmarking.
- Act as a resource on issues related to program design and implementation, performing specific evaluation, monitoring, and planning tasks.
- Market Entrepreneurship & Innovation programs internally and externally to grow and improve the programs.
- Work collaboratively with other WEDC divisions and external partners to market WEDC’s entrepreneurship and innovation programs, and lead effective storytelling around successes.
- Manage databases, dashboards and track year-over-year data to ensure programmatic goals are met.
- Work with Wisconsin founders and early stage startups to help them access the best resources to support their growth efforts.
- Work collaboratively with other WEDC divisions to provide cross-divisional program training and develop best practices in providing technical and financial aid to Wisconsin early-stage startups.
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance or technology related fields such as entrepreneurship, innovation, technology-based economic development or comparable education/experience/training.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in business finance, entrepreneurship, economic development, communications, public/nonprofit organizations, technology/research & development or related field required.
Skills and Talents:
- Ability to organize work, balance multiple priorities, and manage a variety of projects in a fast-paced, flexible work environment with strong attention to detail.
- Strong problem-solving skills, sound reasoning, independent judgment and initiative to accomplish tasks with little or no direction and to solve issues/accomplish tasks not requiring the involvement of others.
- Quantitative and qualitative analytical skills including but not limited to use of spreadsheets, basic statistical analysis, and identifying key points from written reports.
- Advanced computer skills with Microsoft Office Suite of products including database management (CRM), Excel, and other software or applications associated with assigned work.
- Public speaking ability and comfort presenting to groups of all sizes.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with experience working with diverse groups of people at all levels, both internal and external to the organization.
- Requires a high level of confidentiality, discretion, and professionalism.
Other Requirements:
- State-wide travel will occur on an occasional basis, between 10-15% of the time. Travel is anticipated to include day and overnight travel.
- Based on the responsibilities of this position, this position may need to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
WEDC DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION & BELONGING STATEMENT
WEDC must be a diverse and inclusive organization reflective of the businesses, communities, and people in Wisconsin and beyond. We believe that diversity drives innovation and commit to create an inclusive, equitable and diverse workplace where our differences are celebrated as drivers of our organization’s performance.
TO SUPPORT A DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE WORKFORCE AT WEDC, WE WILL WORK TO ACHIEVE THE FOLLOWING GOALS:
- Increase WEDC’s racial diversity, specifically with Black/African American, Native American and Latinx populations;
- Increase LGBTQ representation across WEDC; and
- Increase the diversity of WEDC’s leadership.
TO MEET OUR DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION GOALS, WEDC WILL TAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS:
- Create an intentional approach to recruit minority candidates by using targeted media channels to promote open positions;
- Ensure formal offers are made only after a diverse pool of candidates have been considered at each hiring stage;
- Identify and develop a variety of employee resource groups, including groups for African Americans, Hispanics and Latinos, LGBTQ+ and more;
- Post signage to highlight WEDC’s commitment to diversity and inclusion; and
- Revisit EEO disclosures in our application process to highlight statements regarding WEDC’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution and EEO/Affirmative Action Employer committed to excellence through diversity. Employment offers are made on the basis of qualifications, and without regard to race, sex, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, age, veteran status, or sexual orientation.
Veteran Declaration
Applicants for employment are invited to participate in affirmative action program by reporting their status as a protected veteran or other minority. In extending this invitation, we advise you that: (a) workers (applicants) are under no obligation to respond but may do so in the future if they choose; (b) responses will remain confidential within the human resource department; and (c) responses will be used only for the necessary information. Refusal to provide this information will have no bearing on your application and will not subject you to any adverse treatment.
** PROTECTED VETERAN DEFINITION
Protected veteran means a veteran who may be classified as an active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran, disabled veteran, Armed Forces service medal veteran or recently separated veteran.
Active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.
Armed Forces service medal veteran means any veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985 (61 FR 1209, 3 CFR, 1996 Comp., p. 159).
Disabled veteran means (1) a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or (2) a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.
Recently separated veteran means a veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service.
* EEOC RACE/ETHNIC IDENTIFICATION CATEGORIES
Hispanic or Latino - A person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin regardless of race.
White (not Hispanic or Latino) - A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East or North Africa.
Black or African American (not Hispanic or Latino) - A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa.
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (not Hispanic or Latino) - A person having origins in any of the peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa or other Pacific Islands.
Asian (not Hispanic or Latino) - A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia or the Indian Subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand and Vietnam.
American Indian or Alaska Native (not Hispanic or Latino) - A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America (including Central America) and who maintain tribal affiliation or community attachment.
Two or more races (not Hispanic or Latino) - All persons who identify with more than one of the above races.


