Venture Programs and Events Coordinator

Job Description Summary
Job Description Summary:

Lead and optimize venture support programs to drive high-impact outcomes and enhance the Dingman Center's operational efficiency, which serves as a central hub for student opportunities, mentorship, and community engagement. The Dingman Center is an inclusive environment where we educate, empower and equip students with the business skills needed to be an entrepreneur and the resources necessary to make their business ideas a reality. We proactively seek to work with both traditional and social entrepreneurs, as well as female founders and under-represented minorities. We are looking for a hardworking, solutions-oriented professional to join our team as the Venture Programs and Events Coordinator. This person will support the Dingman Center team in maintaining a sustainable portfolio of high-quality programming and manage support and logistics for key events. This person will report to the Director of Venture Development and will work closely with all members of the Dingman Center staff, faculty partners, and other collaborators.

Position Overview And Key Responsibilities:

Program Coordination -

- Serve as a dependable and collegial member of the Dingman Center team who takes initiative and communicates well across all team members
- Successfully plan, execute and support venture programs and events as assigned. Example programs include:
- Terp Marketplace event takes place every semester. It is an opportunity for student founders to sell and demo their products/services to a wider audience. Activities include recruiting students, managing all logistics, and making the Smith community aware of the event.
- Dingman Advising is a weekly advising program during the semester that provides mentorship and support for students pursuing business ideas. The program coordinator recruits a diverse set of advisors and communicates with them in a professional fashion
- Money awarding process and documentation for all financial awards, tracking all awards through the complex process with patience and professionalism. Track student ventures' progress and funding.
- Matching student startups with faculty for project-based learning during business courses such as Digital Marketing.
- Other program support as assigned.
- Build strong connections with students in our programs - make them feel welcome at the Dingman Center and supported in their entrepreneurial efforts. Promote relevant opportunities to them as they arise throughout the school year.
- Communicate professionally with all faculty members with affiliated courses every semester to offer Dingman Center support and obtain their class rosters; maintain an updated list of courses and track engagement with those classes each semester
- Assist with recruitment activities for venture programs, supporting the development of the schedule of classes, fairs, and other events to attend
- Support for any new or updated venture programs as needed

Events Logistics and Administration -

- Successfully execute the logistics of Dingman Center events and board meetings, this includes preparation such as booking the venue, furniture requests, and catering orders, along with coordinating with catering and venue staff, managing day-of event logistics.
- Ensure successful execution of Dingman Signature events which includes Elevate. Diverse Founders Fall and Spring events, Terp Startup Demo Day, Pitch Dingman, and Community Open Houses.
- Use the event reservations system to book rooms for all venture programs

ABOUT THE ROBERT H. SMITH SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

One of 12 schools and colleges located on the University of Maryland, College Park campus, the Robert H. Smith School of Business is a recognized leader in management research and education for the global economy. A comprehensive business school, Smith offers undergraduate, specialty masters, online graduate programs, full-time and part-time MBA, Executive MBA, PhD, and non-degree executive education programs as well as outreach services to the corporate community. The school is consistently ranked among the top business schools by leading business publications such as U.S. News & World Report, Financial Times, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, and The Wall Street Journal.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Repetitive movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers for typing writing, and operating office equipment. Close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; writing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading.

PREFERENCES

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- High energy, efficient worker who excels in a dynamic working environment.
- Strong personal communication skills; ability to build relationships with people at varying levels
- Enjoys operations and administrative tasks - prides themselves in making things more efficient and helping others create successful programs and events
- Inclusive - knows and values diversity of all kinds
- Collaborative - enjoys being part of a team and helping other team members succeed
- Communicates proactively and in a professional manner
- Interest in innovation and entrepreneurship, knowledge of the entrepreneurial process a plus
- Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills
- Ability to work under time constraints and adapt quickly to a changing environment
- Proficient in Google Suite and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Tech savvy: experience or interest working with digital platforms such as Airtable, Google Suite, Microsoft Office, Slack.
- Willingness to work some early mornings and evenings

Minimum Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Five (5) years of professional program management experience.

Other: Additional work experience as defined above may be substituted on a year for year basis for up to four (4) years of the required education. Knowledge of business acumen to understand key business drivers, organizational communications, and data.
Skill in oral and written communication.
Skill in the use of Microsoft Office products.
Ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion.
Ability to develop and administer new policies and procedures.
Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, regulations, and laws.

Additional Job Details

Required Application Materials: Cover Letter, Resume, List of References

Best Consideration Date: 1/31/25

Posting Close Date: N/A

Open Until Filled: Yes

This position may require flexibility in work hours to accommodate student events and programming. The Assistant Director may occasionally be asked to work outside of regular business hours, including evenings or weekends.

Job Risks
Not Applicable to This Position

Financial Disclosure Required

For more information on Financial Disclosure, please visit Maryland's State Ethics Commission website.

Department
BMGT-Ctrs-Dingman

Worker Sub-Type
Staff Regular

Salary Range
, $50,000 - $76,000

Benefits Summary

For more information on Regular Exempt benefits, select this link.

Background Checks

Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.

Employment Eligibility

The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization. Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.

EEO/AA Statement

The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer; all qualified applicants, including veterans and people with disabilities, will receive consideration for employment. UMD is actively engaged in recruiting, hiring, and promoting underrepresented communities. Please read the entire University of Maryland Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Statement of Policy.

Women, Minorities, Disabled, Veterans, and LGBTQ+ Welcome.

Diversity Statement

The University of Maryland, College Park, an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex . click apply for full job details