Assistant Director of Entrepreneurship Programs - Gies College of Business

The Origin Ventures Office of
Entrepreneurship is expanding access to evidence-based entrepreneurship
education and providing expertise and resources to fuel all forms of
entrepreneurship. The office does this through learner entrepreneurial
activities, fosters knowledge creation and dissemination from top faculty in
the field, and designs and offers the curriculum needed to bring that knowledge
to the classroom - exposing learners to new ideas that could shape and
transform the future of business. Gies College of Business purposefully
innovates through this office's thriving and continually growing
entrepreneurship efforts. As a key component of the University of Illinois
Urbana-Champaign's world-class entrepreneurial ecosystem, the office is a
central hub for iVenture Accelerator, EntreCorps, Orange and Blue Ventures, the
Program Fellowship, the Faculty Entrepreneurial Leadership Program, and the
Entrepreneurship Minor. You can find more information here: https://giesbusiness.illinois.edu/origin-ventures-office-of-entrepreneurship

• Initiatives of the Associate Dean of Entrepreneurship or designee(s)
  
  * Assist with efforts to increase entrepreneurship opportunities for students and faculty within the Origin Ventures Office of Entrepreneurship. Strengthen the Office's suite of programs and increase access by expanding the scope of the ecosystem to include Chicago, the State of Illinois, and the national community which may include new partnerships and online programming.
  
  * Investigate opportunities for the Office to support budding student entrepreneurs through events, research, networking and operations.
  
  * Assist with efforts for the Office to serve as an educational resource for innovators to enhance campus-wide interest in and knowledge about entrepreneurship and technology commercialization.
  
  * Contribute to overall work to support unit goals, including participation in team meetings about unit strategy, program development, reporting requirements, branding and communications, advancement, and alumni relations. Provides analytical and programmatic support by evaluating current programs, facilitating structured feedback for improvement, and implementing adjustments annually.
  
  * With Gies Business Marketing and Communications, coordinate outreach and advertising content to attract qualified students to Office offerings.
  
  * Manage workspaces and workstacks for students, as well as day to day communication with them.
  
  
• Program Administration
  
  * At the direction of the Associate Dean of Entrepreneurship and/or designee, provide program administration and management for a portfolio of cross-campus programs in entrepreneurship and innovation, including the iVenture Accelerator, Entrecorps, the Entrepreneurship Minor, the Program Fellowship, among other offerings. Within the program fellowship, manage student workers and interns. Support Gies entrepreneurship efforts in Chicago, including but not limited to the iVenture Accelerator summer program.
  
  * Support programs and events, including oversight of outreach, planning, logistics, and operations for programs that engage students in the Illinois and Chicago entrepreneurship ecosystems.
  
  * Represent the Origin Ventures Office of Entrepreneurship at campus and external events, strengthening visibility and engagement.
  
  * Actively explore and implement programs within the entrepreneurial and innovation space that directly align with the current efforts and goals of the unit. Collaborate with faculty, staff, and campus partners to integrate entrepreneurship programming across disciplines and support the development of a cohesive campus-wide ecosystem.
  
  * Manage social media content and coordinate with Gies Marketing & Communications to ensure a consistent and engaging presence across our channels, while supporting other outreach efforts.
  
  * Cultivate and maintain relationships with external stakeholders, including alumni, founders, investors, and corporate partners, to enhance program engagement and mentorship opportunities.
  
  * Create, curate, and deliver educational content in co-curricular and outreach programs. Conduct venture analysis and critique, monitor and assess student progress, design and evaluate founder experiments, and review updates through tracking systems. Produce concise written summaries and feedback memos for startups to guide iteration and improvement. Participate in select workshops, office hours, and group sessions to provide analytical input and pressure-test founder thinking.
  
  * Mentor and coach student startups, social ventures, and constituents. Work with team for program recruitment and selection processes, including outreach, application review, and cohort development.
  
  * Coordinate speakers, mentors, and judges for entrepreneurship programs and events.
  
  
• Other Duties as Assigned

Bachelor's degree.

A total of three (3) years (36 months) in education, training, and/or work experience in entrepreneurship or with startups.

Demonstrated experience in hands-on management, including project management and/or program management.

Demonstrated experience working with college students.

Master's degree in business, education, fine arts, media, social work, engineering, or a related field.

Experience supporting or interacting with entrepreneurship programs in an academic setting.

Experience designing and executing structured experiments, including hypothesis testing, data collection, and iterative improvement within startup contexts.

Experience with social media management, content creation, and photo/video capture.

*A commitment to serving students and to advancing the intellectual, professional, and leadership development of undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty.

*Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to evaluate complex business models, identify risks, and synthesize insights into actionable recommendations.

*Ability to translate data and research findings into practical strategies, including defining key performance indicators (KPIs) and tracking venture progress.

*Knowledge of startup development processes, including customer validation, product iteration, and early-stage venture growth.

*Quantitative and data analysis capabilities in experimental design to support founders.

*Ability to organize, coordinate, and manage multiple complex projects simultaneously with attention to detail, quality, and program consistency and operate effectively in fast-paced, multi- stakeholder environments

*Ability to work independently.

*High energy, self-motivated, and enthusiastic about working with students.

*Collaborative work style with faculty, students, professionals, and executives.

* Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with others, including producing clear, structured reports and presenting findings to a wide range of audiences

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 5002 - Program Coordinator position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after 8/31/2026. Salary is competitive and commensurate with
qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. The
budgeted salary range for this position is $60,000 to $64,000. This position is not eligible for any type of
sponsorship for work authorization.

For more information about Gies Business, visit https://inside.giesbusiness.illinois.edu/work-at-gies

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on August 14. 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at
the top or bottom of this posting. Please upload your cover letter, resume
(months and years of employment must be included), and names/contact
information for three professional references. Please remember to include
specific information on how you meet the qualifications of the position in your
resume, including all relevant experience. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact rgoben@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - the state's flagship public university and one of the world's leading research institutions - every staff member helps shape what's next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you're empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence - where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.

Champaign-Urbana

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or accessibility@illinois.edu.

Requisition ID: 1037074

Job Category: Professional and Administrative

Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu