The Blackstone LaunchPad is actively seeking prospective candidates for the role of Program Manager. The LaunchPad’s previous Program Manager, Sam Hollander ’21, recently announced that he will be stepping away from the position to pursue an entrepreneurial venture of his own in New York City full-time. The job posting is live and applications are being accepted here. The committee will begin reviewing applications the week of August 8, so apply soon if you are interested in this role.
The LaunchPad Program Manager supports the mission of the Blackstone LaunchPad, which is part of SU Libraries. The LaunchPad is Syracuse University’s innovation hub, connecting the entire University’s resource-rich ecosystem with a global network that provides support for aspiring entrepreneurs, innovators, and creators. The position reports to the Executive Director, and supports communications, outreach, events planning and management, as well as other strategic initiatives. This is a highly collaborative role, and the successful candidate will work with LaunchPad staff and academic units across campus to deliver effective programs that support the student experience and Syracuse University’s Academic Strategic Plan to create an innovation ecosystem across the institution that prepares participants to be trailblazers in an entrepreneurial world.
The major position responsibilities include:
- Help develop, manage and support LaunchPad events and activities that advance program objectives, including visiting speakers, workshops, business plan competitions, business assistance days with subject matter experts, mentor meetups, networking events, and other special events such as Startup Weekend and Global Entrepreneurship Week. Support special initiatives by the Blackstone Charitable Foundation network to engage students through programs such as Idea Competitions, Fellowships, annual meetings, etc. Recruit and coordinate student employee and volunteers to support these programs and special events. Maintain an updated the events calendar and make other updates to the LaunchPad as needed.
- Assist with student coaching, particularly in areas around building business models and product development roadmaps, providing direct support in subject areas such as problem identification, customer discovery, solution formation, competitive landscapes and industry analysis, sales and marketing plans, technology platform development, etc. Help connect ventures to subject matter experts, professional service providers and LaunchPad Entrepreneurs in Residence. Engage and interact with peer and alumni mentors and help make mentor matches with students. Manage connections through the on-line LaunchPad mentor portal.
- Support faculty and student outreach, and the development and growth of an entrepreneurial pipeline of program participants. Identify key stakeholders and develop strategic outreach plan. Coordinate outreach efforts, working with partners across academic programs and student organizations to continue to grow program participation. Help with communications channels to deliver high quality and consistent content across all platforms. Work with student employees to help staff outreach events and deliver outreach programming. Increase the number of new program participants, as well as participant retention, and help manage tracking, performance metrics and outcomes reporting.
- Work in conjunction with the Executive Director to help develop strategy and implementation plans, work with advancement and alumni to create deep engagement by key constituents, support advancement work to build additional program resources, and help expand the network of mentors and donors. Complete reports and other deliverables as required by the university, funders, and others. Engage with the Executive Director in creating and implementing special projects that foster collaborative work across academic disciplines.
The position is posted on the SU JobOpps website: https://www.sujobopps.com/postings/94816 .
Please help the LaunchPad spread the word of this opening to individuals who would be well-suited for the role, particularly around alumni circles. We want to build on the legacy we all created here — especially the class acts of our previous Program Managers, Sam Hollander, and Nick Barba ’20.
Story by John Carmen “Jack” Rose, Blackstone Global Media Fellow.