Program Manager - da Vinci Center, University College
Program Manager - da Vinci Center, University College
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Job Description
All full-time university staff are eligible for VCUs robust benefits package that includes: comprehensive health benefits paid annual and holiday leave granted up front generous tuition benefit retirement planning and savings options tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs employee discounts well-being resources abundant opportunities for career development and advancement and more. Learn more about VCUs benefits here.
Summary:
The da Vinci Center for Innovation at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) part of University College is seeking a Program Manager to lead the Shelfie Program at Shift Retail Lab. This flagship initiative empowers VCU students to bring their products and ideas to life through curated retail exposure mentorship and entrepreneurial support. The Program Manager will oversee the full lifecycle of the Shelfie experience including recruitment onboarding programming and storytelling ensuring students gain meaningful real-world learning in innovation product development and entrepreneurship.
Key Responsibilities
The responsibilities of the Program Manager include but are not limited to the following:
Program Leadership and Student Experience
- Lead all aspects of the Shelfie program lifecycle including application management cohort selection onboarding and participant support.
- Coach and mentor students on product strategy pricing branding customer feedback and retail readiness.
- Coordinate workshops mentorship sessions and community-building events to enhance student learning and entrepreneurial growth.
- Foster a culture of follow-through by developing and managing engagement strategies that keep participants informed and involved in future opportunities within the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Curriculum and Resource Development
- Collaborate with the da Vinci Center team and external partners to develop and deliver engaging educational content aligned with entrepreneurial milestones.
- Build tools templates and guides to support student success within the Shelfie experience.
- Integrate feedback and performance data to continually refine and evolve the program.
Stakeholder Engagement and Storytelling
- Cultivate relationships with faculty alumni community partners and mentors to support Shelfie participants.
- Collaborate with the communications team to highlight student stories and successes across digital channels and events.
- Represent Shelfie and Shift Retail Lab at campus-wide and community innovation events.
Program Evaluation and Operations
- Monitor program participation retention and outcomes; develop reports and recommendations for growth.
- Oversee the program budget track inventory and product performance and maintain records of participant progress.
- Ensure all Shelfie program components align with the mission and values of the VCU da Vinci Center.
Minimum Qualifications
- A bachelors degree in business design education entrepreneurship or a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 2 years of experience in program management innovation education or student support.
- Strong facilitation and coaching skills with a passion for empowering emerging entrepreneurs.
- Excellent organizational interpersonal and communication abilities.
- Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced collaborative environment.
- Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect professionalism and civility with a population of faculty staff and students from various backgrounds and experiences or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.
PreferredQualifications
- Experience working in higher education innovation labs or startup ecosystems.
- Familiarity with entrepreneurship product development and customer-centered design.
- Experience with program assessment data analysis and reporting.
- Ability to tell compelling stories through digital media newsletters or visual content.
- A creative student-centered mindset with a commitment to inclusive innovation.
Manjari Kumarappan
Required Experience:
Manager
Employment Type
Full Time
