OCHE Program Manager, Nucleus

Job Summary

Nucleus Grow supports Utah’s innovation economy by helping entrepreneurs, researchers, startups, and small businesses develop and commercialize innovative technologies. Through training, technical assistance, funding guidance, and strategic connections, Nucleus Grow helps innovators access the resources needed to advance ideas from concept to market. This includes assisting companies in identifying and pursuing federal funding opportunities, including the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.

The Program Manager works directly with founders, researchers, universities, investors, industry partners, and economic development organizations across Utah. The position provides innovation funding guidance, proposal and business review, entrepreneurship support, program delivery, and stakeholder engagement while helping strengthen Utah’s statewide innovation ecosystem.

• Advise entrepreneurs, researchers, and technology companies on innovation funding opportunities, funding readiness, commercialization planning, proposal development, and customer discovery activities.
• Support the planning and delivery of entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology commercialization programs, workshops, and events.
• Develop practical resources, tools, and guidance that help innovators navigate funding and commercialization pathways.

• Review and provide feedback on funding applications, proposals, commercialization plans, pitch materials, and other strategic documents.
• Assist companies in evaluating federal, state, and other funding opportunities, including SBIR/STTR and other non‑dilutive funding programs.
• Analyze complex technical, scientific, and business concepts and communicate recommendations to diverse audiences.

• Build and maintain relationships with entrepreneurs, universities, investors, economic development organizations, and industry partners.
• Represent Nucleus Grow at meetings, conferences, workshops, and community events.
• Facilitate connections that support company growth, technology commercialization, and innovation collaboration.

• Track program activities, outcomes, and performance metrics.
• Support reporting, compliance, communications, and other operational requirements associated with grants, contracts, and organizational initiatives.

• Associate’s degree or recognized certificate or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for one year of related work experience) required;
  Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, science, public policy, entrepreneurship, or a related field strongly preferred.
• 2-4 years of experience in program management, entrepreneurship, business development, innovation, technology commercialization, or related fields.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to review, edit, and provide feedback on complex technical and business documents.
• Ability to understand and evaluate scientific, engineering, technical, and business concepts.
• Experience supporting startups, entrepreneurs, technology companies, research organizations, or innovation‑focused programs.
• Knowledge of business development, technology commercialization, entrepreneurship, economic development, or innovation funding.
• Strong project management, organizational, and relationship‑building skills.
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities.

Strong interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to work well with researchers and founders.

• Experience with SBIR/STTR, research commercialization, technology transfer, federal grant programs, or innovation‑focused funding initiatives.
• Experience reviewing grant proposals, technical applications, business plans, or commercialization strategies.
• Familiarity with Utah’s startup, research, and innovation ecosystem.

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service may…