Academic Program Manager, Corporate Startup Lab (CSL) – Tepper School of Business

Carnegie Mellon University•Pittsburgh, PA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Corporate Startup Lab (CSL) connects corporations, startups, students, faculty, investors, and ecosystem partners as part of Carnegie Mellon University's (CMU) broader innovation ecosystem. CSL applies startup and venture principles across its offerings, including a capstone project course, a Fellows program, and various public-facing events. This role offers the opportunity to work at the intersection of corporate engagement, entrepreneurship, venture-backed startups, and higher education in a collaborative and evolving environment. The Academic Program Manager, CSL leads the delivery and continuous improvement of CSL’s academic and student-facing programs, specifically the CSL Capstone Project Course and Fellows Program. This position reports to the Director of the Corporate Startup Lab and focuses on managing complex experiential learning programs that connect students and fellows with corporations, startups, and faculty. The role requires navigating a dynamic academic environment with multiple stakeholders and evolving program needs, exercising judgment, managing ambiguity, and executing programs in real-time while maintaining a high-quality student and partner experience.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
3+ years of relevant experience in academic program management, experiential learning, higher education administration, or related roles required.
A combination of education and relevant experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.
Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree preferred.
Strong program management, organizational, and stakeholder coordination skills, with experience working closely with students, faculty, and external partners.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, along with the ability to manage multiple programs simultaneously and adapt priorities as organizational needs evolve.
Comfortable working independently in fast-paced, dynamic, and sometimes ambiguous environments, while also collaborating effectively with a small, cross-functional team in settings similar to startup or entrepreneurial organizations.

Responsibilities

Lead the planning, delivery, and execution of CSL’s academic programs, including the Capstone Project Course and Fellows Program.
Manage student recruitment, application review, interviews, selection, and onboarding (including NDAs and required documentation).
Provide ongoing program management and student support throughout the academic term, adapting to changing needs and timelines.
Coordinate closely with faculty, Entrepreneurs-in-Residence, corporate partners, and startups to ensure program alignment and outcomes.
Serve as the primary operational point of contact for partners engaged in CSL academic programs.
Manage academic program agreements and coordination with CMU offices (e.g., EPAs, OSP processes, gift agreements).
Lead the academic and student-facing components of CSL’s Case Competition, including outreach, application review, and student coordination.
Build and maintain strong working relationships across CMU academic units, graduate programs, and student organizations.
Navigate and align diverse stakeholder priorities within a complex institutional environment.
Other duties as assigned.