VC Specialist @ WashU in St. Louis, MO

This position advises entrepreneurial students and helps them connect with resources they need, including each other, to advance their ideas and develop their skills. The Venture Development Specialist designs and implements multiple venture/ideation competitions and programs on behalf of the Center and designs inducements to engage innovators university-wide.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Meets with Washington University affiliates to assist in identifying promising ideas and opportunities; help to evaluate ideas and technologies; conduct feasibility reviews; connects to resources across campus, across disciplines, and in the region.
• Supports the center’s venture development pipeline and Skandalaris Competitions and Programs such as the Global Impact Award, the Skandalaris Venture Competition, IdeaBounce®, hackathons, etc. Conducts outreach to student and alumni participants, manage deliverables, compile data, and share results.
• Advises and resources students/alumni participating in regional, national, and international startup competitions.
• Actively tracks metrics; manages databases (AirTable) and design custom research surveys. Ensures efficiencies and data analysis for the venture development pipeline, including reporting program, competition, and gap funding access for all stakeholders.
• Manages budget for Venture Development programs; provides general operational support for the Center and Venture Development team; tracks financial investments made by the Center.
• Manages CRM platform (AirTable) on behalf of the Center. Ensures ongoing and accurate collection of data and metrics are being pulled into the CRM and develops functional reporting systems and dashboards for the Center leadership and operation teams. Collects and analyzes data for rankings and other reporting needs.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions

• The work environment is primarily an office setting with frequent events/programs where transporting of lightweight (15lbs) materials/tables/etc. will be required.
• Many Skandalaris events and programs are held in the evenings and on weekends, thereby requiring hours/activities outside the normal work-day as needed. Work will be conducted at both the Danforth and Medical School campuses and occasionally off-campus.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree in business or entrepreneurship.
• Proven ability to handle confidential information responsibly.
• Proven ability to manager and prioritize multiple tasks and deadlines with varying degrees of pressure; ability to exercise judgement and take corrective action.
• Donor and volunteer management, including positive stewardship experience.
• Background working in entrepreneurial support organizations or directly at a startup venture.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite Package (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Publisher, Outlook, and Access), AirTable Software Management, and SalesForce.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, written and verbal; a service-oriented communicator who is a true team player.
• Strong creative and problem-solving skills, organizational skills, event management, attention to detail, and customer service skills.
• This position requires a self-starter with excellent project management, technical, communication (both written and oral), and interpersonal skills.
• Desire to work in environment of growth and change.
• Must be able to work independently in an environment of multiple and conflicting priorities and projects; anticipate and resolve problems and updates leadership on status of projects.
• The candidate should have good professional judgment, initiative, and confidence.
• The candidate will work independently but have the ability to function as part of a team, coordinating with multiple constituencies.
• Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Required Qualifications

Undergraduate degree and three years of related experience.

Grade

G10

Salary Range

$49,700.00 – $82,100.00 / Annually

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one’s qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.