Student Innovation Programs Coordinator - Technology Entrepreneur Center

Student Innovation Programs Coordinator

Ignite Innovation and Shape the Future of Entrepreneurship! At the Technology Entrepreneur Center (TEC), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, we are committed to transforming ideas into groundbreaking startups, and we’re looking for a visionary leader to join us on this exciting journey.

The primary function of this position is to design, build, and launch new programs that support the formation of new startups from teams in The Grainger College of Engineering, the University of Illinois, and the Midwest region. This role will be responsible for building connections with partners in the campus entrepreneur ecosystem and the broader Midwest Entrepreneur Ecosystem.

• Support the planning and execution of programming for the Grainger Engineering Tech Startup Challenge to showcase top teams from the University of Illinois and other top universities, including identifying the needs and interests of student teams to ensure that the programming is relevant and meets their needs.
• Develop and implement plans to recruit teams to participate in the challenge.
• Regularly research and stay informed on the latest trends and emerging best practices in new venture competitions to ensure that our programming is relevant.
• Coordinate logistics, including venue selection, catering, audio-visual setup, transportation, and any necessary accommodations within time and budget constraints.
• Collaborate with Grainger Marketing and Communications team to create promotional materials, including flyers, social media posts, and email campaigns.
• Develop sponsorship opportunities and other key partnership opportunities for the Grainger Challenge.
• Build and maintain relationships with external partners, such as alumni, industry experts, investors, and mentors, who can provide resources and opportunities for student programs.
• Gather and analyze feedback from event participants to continuously improve program offerings.

• Assist with other related programs as needed throughout the semester. This would include the deep tech accelerator course, Silicon Valley Entrepreneurship Workshop, and Illinois Innovation Prize.
• Collaborate with the TEC team to maintain a database of contacts and track interactions to ensure effective relationship management between TEC programs.

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• A total of two (2) years (24 months) in education, training and/or work experience in education events/program creation and/or management.

• One (1) year of relevant experience with event management and/or program development.
• Experience working in an entrepreneurial capacity, in a higher education community, or with undergraduate/graduate students.
• Experience with entrepreneurship and a strong understanding of the startup ecosystem.
• Professional experience working with students or in an educational setting.
• Demonstrated experience with Microsoft Excel.
• Experience with the Chicago startup community and local resources.

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong professional relationships across diverse networks.
• Comprehensive understanding of the startup landscape.
• Skilled in connecting and aligning stakeholders to cultivate a thriving and supportive startup community.
• Ability to foster entrepreneurial growth and advance educational initiatives.
• Skilled in successfully planning, coordinating, and executing a variety of events.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to anticipate future needs and proactively develop solutions.
• Effective in multitasking, prioritization, and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work outside the typical hours of the standard workday may be required, including evenings and occasional weekends.
• Travel is required.

This is a full-time Civil Service 5002‑Program Coordinator position appointed on a 12‑month service basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after…