Economic Development Assistant Director, Iowa JPEC
The Economic Dev Asst Director will oversee the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center’s Startup Incubator in the Tippie College of Business, which is available to all University of Iowa undergraduate students. This will include providing business training to University of Iowa students, primarily undergraduates, who are starting and operating businesses and overseeing all associated programming, including ideation events and pitch competitions, resources, and support staff. The individual will be responsible for building the application funnel, growing the size of the program, increasing the quality of the startups, and recruiting students from a wide variety of majors from across campus. The Startup Incubator and associated programming are located at the Bedell Entrepreneurship Learning Laboratory.
Please Note: This will be a 1 year specified term role. Please follow the link to employee status definitions for more details.
Get to know the Tippie College of Business
Since 1847, the Tippie College of Business has cultivated a legacy of innovation, thought leadership, and excellence in business education. We are over 4,700 students with BBA and graduate programs spanning six academic departments—accounting, business analytics, economics, finance, marketing, and management and entrepreneurship. We are eight centers and institutes, and four student-managed endowment funds. We’re over 56,000 alumni—and growing. Tippie is regularly listed in top business school rankings. We also hold the gold standard of accreditations, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and have maintained the accreditation for over 95 years (since 1923).
KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITIES AND SPECIFIC JOB TASKS
Client/Case Management
Identify new business opportunities and provide market expertise to help develop new markets and new business partners. Prioritize clients based on the degree of their potential economic impact on their community. Maintain internal client/case database(s).
- Oversee all programming including Startup Incubator, Summer Accelerator, and funnel-building ideation events such as Idea Storms
- Ensure the Bedell Entrepreneurship Learning Laboratory is utilized appropriately, an ecosystem is created, and that you, Startup Coaches, and Specialists hold regular office hours
- Prioritize facilities and other scarce program resources to the highest potential startups
- Facilities Management – submit maintenance requests, manage security access cards and office keys, oversee facility projects / improvements including furnishings; work with interns as appropriate
Outreach
Manage the engagement of outside vendors and project consultants. Develop and maintain positive relationships with local, state, and federal governmental units, commercial lenders, and attorneys. Develop workshops. Coach and mentor students involved in economic development classes, internships, or projects.
- Regular engagement in the community entrepreneurial ecosystem (1MC, incubators/co-working spaces, accelerators, etc.)
- Recommend students for regional and national competitions and grants; this includes CEO
Marketing-External
Organize and manage market research, data, processes, and marketing strategies for the purposes of economic development.
- Lead on-campus recruiting – building the funnel, in coordination with JPEC marketing and events staff
- Manage strategic planning and development of outreach/recruiting events; work with the events team to ensure seamless execution
- Work with JPEC leadership and other staff to develop and maintain student tracking system and program metrics
Business Development Assistance
Counsel potential entrepreneurs, faculty, staff, or students regarding the creation of a new business.
- Develop and oversee student levels (such as Idea, Startup, Traction, and Growth) and work with coaches to determine promotions each semester; set expectations for student founders
- Oversee and approve new Startup Incubator applications
- Oversee development and delivery of content/curriculum
- Work with JPEC leadership to help develop and manage strategic planning around seed funding for students
Student Mentoring
Coach and mentor students involved in economic development classes, internships, or projects.
- Oversee student engagement with Coaches and Specialists (General, Marketing, Accounting, Software/Tech, etc.) and outside partners and consultants (including EDC, SBDC, attorneys, and ProtoStudios)
- Develop and manage student readiness for pitch competitions
- Understand and promote all Iowa JPEC programming available to students and entrepreneurs; communicate opportunities to students
Financial Responsibility
Monitor and analyze financial information and develop reports. Provide budget projections.
- Develop and maintain program budget, ensuring compliance with department accounting staff
- Recommend budgets for events and programming, as well as for recruiting and marketing, working with department event and marketing staff.
Supervision
Provide functional supervision of staff. Provide direction, assignments, feedback, coaching, and counseling to ensure outcomes are achieved.
- Oversee, train, and set priorities for Startup Coaches and Specialists, who are mainly a mix of independent contractors and adjunct instructors
- Oversee and train student interns assigned to help with data collection, administration, and events
Salary: $70,000-$85,000
To obtain the full job description including key areas of responsibility, technical competencies, and desirable qualifications, please contact joshua-gulick@uiowa.edu
Education Requirement
- Bachelor’s Degree or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
Required Qualifications
- A high level of business acumen including entrepreneurial experience such as senior leadership or founding/co-founding a company.
- 1-3 years of professional experience in business operations, project management, or a closely related field.
- 1-3 years of relevant work experience in a leadership role.
- Professional experience promoting a welcoming and respectful workplace environment that recognizes, celebrates, and rewards behaviors that support the university’s core values.
- Ability to travel, including overnight, generally a few times per year.
- Current valid driver’s license and ability to meet the UI Fleet Safety Driving Policy.
Desired Qualifications
- Familiarity with community and/or state of Iowa entrepreneurship ecosystem.
- Knowledge of best practices in business incubation including use of methodologies such as the Business Model Canvas.
- Knowledge of state-of-of the art technology including AI tools for startup businesses.
- Knowledge of University Policies and Procedures.
Application Details:
In order to be considered for an interview, applicants must upload the following documents and mark them as a “Relevant File” to the submission:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
Job openings are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended. Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process. For questions, contact Josh Gulick at joshua-gulick@uiowa.edu.
Benefits Highlights:
Regular salaried position. Pay Level 5A. Located in Iowa City, Iowa.
Fringe benefit package including paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans.
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Equal opportunity/affirmative action employer
The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, gender identity, or associational preferences.
Persons with disabilities who need assistance or accommodations with the application or interview process may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, (319) 335-2660 or fsds@uiowa.edu. For jobs in UI Health care, please contact UI Health care Leave & Disability Administration at 319-356-7543.
