Entrepreneur Coach

• $63000 Annual Dependent on Experience Exempt
• 40 hours per week
• This position will work onsite at UND Grand Forks ND campus

This position is a critical component of the Center for Innovations entrepreneurial coaching program staff with a focus on startup growth and fundraising. This position will take leadership for guiding growth ready startups to market ensuring they have access to appropriate learning mentorship and helping startups and the Center with fostering strong funding pathways.
A successful candidate for this position has two key responsibilities: First is to oversee and manage the execution of accelerator and incubation programs at the Center for Innovation. As part of this responsibility this position will develop and oversee startup accelerator programs for students faculty and staff using recognized best practice principles identify mentors and coordinate a formalized mentorship strategy and program to name a few key tasks. Second is to identify foster and connect founders to startup fundraising opportunities (eg. Venture capital angel investors competitions etc.). This work will involve activities such as assessing fostering and managing a portfolio of startup capitalization opportunities on a local state and national addition this position will assist with grant writing donor outreach fostering relationships with key organizational and community stakeholders to ensure technology translation and support of acceleration programs as a sustainability goal for the department.

• Oversee and manage the execution of entrepreneurial programming focused on startup growth and acceleration to the market.
  • Develop facilitate and ensure all logistical needs are arranged for the implementation of a startup accelerator curriculum;
  • Revise and maintain a flexible startup accelerator curriculum and demonstrate alignment with current best practice;
  • Recruit and advise start-ups engaged in the accelerator curriculum facilitated by the Center for Innovation;
  • Identify mentors for critical and emerging industry sectors in North Dakota and coordinate a formalized mentorship strategy and program for selected accelerator companies;
  • Assist in the onboarding of mentors speakers and startup companies engaged with the accelerator program;
  • Facilitate communication between mentors partners accelerator participants etc.
  • Design and administer surveys as well as other metric-capturing tools to capture and analyze accelerator program outcomes.
  • Build foundational expertise in technology transfer and commercialization helping translate research and innovation into startup opportunities licensing pathways and real-world market applications. Support innovators through the commercialization journey by assisting with opportunity validation market exploration and connecting technologies to potential partners investors and venture pathways.
• Identify foster and assist in fundraising activity to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Centers entrepreneurial programs.
  • Assess develop and manage a working portfolio of current start-up startup capitalization opportunities in North Dakota regionally and nationally with a focus on critical and emerging ND industry sectors and where gaps exist work to develop and foster new relationships to build high-level opportunities.
  • Work with the CFI team to research draft and submit proposals such as grants foundation applications awards etc. to state and federal opportunities.
  • Assist in the submission of reports as appropriate to comply with funding requirements of any organization and/or stakeholder supporting the Centers entrepreneurial programs.
  • Build and maintain high-level relationships with key funding agencies foundations donors and stakeholders.
  • Assist CFI staff in the development of presentation decks and outreach material highlighting Center for Innovation entrepreneurial programs success stories etc.
  • Maintain a record of and foster relationships with startup fundraising networks on a local regional and national level to ensure founders have access and introductions to a diverse network of fundraising avenues for their innovations.
  • Represent the Center for Innovation by attending events and activities and being active in the entrepreneurial community.

• Superior problem-solving skills
• Project management skills
• Excellent writing interpersonal and verbal communication skills
• Strong leadership skills
• Demonstrated quantitative and analytical skills
• Demonstrated ability to exercise initiative flexibility and independent judgement
• Ability to cultivate build and maintain strong working relationships with individuals or organizations with diverse perspectives and backgrounds.
• Motivated work ethic in a culture of independent professional activity in fast-paced deadline driven climate.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team based environment.
• Ability to quickly get up to speed on new or unfamiliar business models industries etc.
• Comfort working in ambiguous work environments.

• Bachelors degree.
• 5 years related work experience.
• Experience or familiarity with entrepreneurship business or commercialization of research.
• Demonstrated passion for entrepreneurship startups fundraising or innovation.
• Proven familiarity with entrepreneurial activity either through launch of their own start-up working at or with a start-up or through business expansion in larger corporations.
• Proficiency in word processing spreadsheets databases and other basic business software.
• Position requires occasional evening and weekend work and travel.
• Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check

In compliance with federal law all persons hired will be required to verify identityand eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.This position does not support visa sponsorship for continued employment.

• Advanced degree in law business engineering aerospace life sciences entrepreneurship economic development or medical sciences.
• Background in entrepreneurial coaching curriculum development or program design for entrepreneurs or businesses.
• Experience recruiting managing and on-boarding mentors or volunteers supporting a project cause or organization.
• Fundraising experience through grant writing business development startup capitalization etc.
• Experience working with local state and federal government entities.

Submit a resume/CV and cover letter detailing how you meet each qualification. Include 3-5 professional references with contact information.