Program Manager, UH Ventures

University Hospitals•Cleveland, OH

About The Position

The Program Manager supports the strategic growth and operations of the UH Haslam Sports Innovation Center (HSIC), working in partnership with UH Ventures. The role coordinates a portfolio of innovation analysis, venture diligence, ecosystem engagement, marketing and communications, and program management activities. As a key operational staff member, the Program Manager helps coordinate innovation evaluations, strategic initiatives, flagship events and partnerships, and regional and national visibility for University Hospitals’ sports medicine innovation platform. The position coordinates Center operations, including meetings, reporting, performance metrics, stakeholder engagement, records, and governance materials. It evaluates emerging technologies, startups, research opportunities, and partnerships relevant to sports medicine, orthopedics, rehabilitation, performance, and athlete health through research, market analysis, due diligence, and commercialization assessments. The role also develops decision-support materials and supports strategic partnership development. The Program Manager co-leads planning and execution of SportsLand™ and other HSIC programs and events, supports sponsor and ecosystem relationships, develops workshops and educational programs, and helps build innovation pipeline initiatives such as competitions, accelerators, and mentorship programs. The position collaborates with clinicians, researchers, administrators, entrepreneurs, investors, sponsors, and external stakeholders, and supports strategic planning and special projects. The role must comply with University Hospitals’ policies and standards, including requirements for protecting patient health information.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, communications, healthcare administration, life sciences, sports management, public health, or a related field.
At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in program management, innovation, venture analysis, healthcare strategy, business development, marketing, communications, event management, or a related field.
Experience supporting executive-level initiatives and cross-functional projects.
Familiarity with startup ecosystems, innovation programs, commercialization, venture investing, or strategic partnerships.
Ability to conduct research, synthesize information, and present recommendations clearly and succinctly.
Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
Strong project management and organizational abilities, with attention to detail.
Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, Excel, Teams, and project management tools.
Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
Comfort operating in a fast-paced entrepreneurial environment with evolving priorities.
Entrepreneurial mindset, intellectual curiosity, professionalism, and commitment to advancing UH’s mission of innovation and excellence.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Experience managing events, conferences, educational programs, sponsorships, and stakeholder engagement activities.
Experience developing communication and marketing materials across multiple channels.
Experience in healthcare, sports medicine, academic medicine, innovation, or technology.
Training or certification in design or innovation, such as a LUMA Institute certificate.

Responsibilities

Coordinate UH Haslam Sports Innovation Center activities across portfolio companies, strategic partnerships, advisors, programming, and investment initiatives.
Organize weekly HSIC operating meetings, including agendas, action-item tracking, documentation, and stakeholder follow-up.
Maintain HSIC dashboards, reports, performance metrics, and centralized records of initiatives, partnerships, investments, pilots, and stakeholder engagements.
Coordinate engagement with advisory board members, mentors, investors, and external partners in collaboration with the Director of Haslam Sports Innovation Center.
Develop quarterly and annual reports summarizing Center activities, milestones, outcomes, and strategic opportunities.
Support governance processes and prepare materials for advisory, investment, and leadership meetings.
Evaluate and conduct due diligence on emerging technologies, startups, research opportunities, and strategic partnerships relevant to sports medicine, orthopedics, rehabilitation, performance, and athlete health.
Conduct market research, competitive intelligence, reimbursement assessments, customer discovery, and commercialization analyses.
Prepare investment and opportunity assessment memoranda and organize due-diligence materials for potential investments, partnerships, sponsorships, and commercialization opportunities.
Maintain innovation opportunity tracking systems and related reports, coordinating with UH Ventures, clinicians, researchers, and external partners.
Develop presentations, briefing documents, and decision-support materials for leadership, advisory groups, sponsors, and strategic partners.
Build and maintain relationships with startups, industry partners, venture investors, professional sports organizations, universities, and entrepreneurial ecosystem stakeholders.
Co-lead planning, coordination, and execution of SportsLand™ and other HSIC programs and events in partnership with UH Ventures programming leads.
Coordinate speaker recruitment, sponsor engagement, event logistics and production, and post-event follow-up.
Co-develop programming concepts that strengthen UH’s position in sports medicine innovation.
Co-manage relationships with sponsors, community partners, entrepreneurs, investors, clinicians, researchers, and innovation ecosystem participants.
Support workshops, educational programs, and strategic convenings aligned with HSIC and UH Ventures objectives.
Build pipeline initiatives through innovation competitions, accelerators, and/or mentorship programs.
Measure and report program outcomes, sponsor engagement, attendee feedback, and ecosystem impact.
Collaborate with physicians, researchers, administrators, entrepreneurs, investors, sponsors, and external stakeholders.
Participate in HSIC strategic planning and support special projects and other duties as assigned.
Comply with University Hospitals policies and standards, including requirements to safeguard protected health information.