Program Officer, I&E Education & Curriculum Design

VentureWell • Cambridge, MA

10d • $70,000 - $85,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

VentureWell is seeking a Program Officer to design and manage immersive learning experiences in STEM Innovation and Entrepreneurship (I&E) to support the growth of its higher education ecosystem development initiatives. This role will facilitate learning models for administrators, faculty, industry professionals, and I&E researchers, aiming to enhance their knowledge and skills in advancing R&D translation and STEM entrepreneurship. The Program Officer will be part of the Higher Education Innovation Ecosystems Team, focusing on equitable and inclusive innovation ecosystems. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in STEM Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Commercialization professional development, including curriculum design, needs assessments, and delivering customized training models. Experience working with Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) is valued. The position reports to the Director, Higher Education Ecosystems, and requires approximately 25% travel.

Requirements

• At least 5 years related experience in higher education including instructional design and training administration, with domain experience in fields related to VentureWell program areas such as science and technology innovation, entrepreneurship, commercialization, tech-based economic development, etc.
• At least 5 years experience in programming and curricular development in higher education, implementation, and assessment; grant administration and development; program design and administration; stakeholder management, as well as, direct experience working with university stakeholders: faculty, staff, administrators, etc.
• The ideal candidate for this role has experience designing STEM I&E training programs for various stakeholders: institutions of higher-education, industry and government
• Knowledge and fluency working with various needs assessment
• Ability to succeed and thrive in an environment with competing and changing priorities and tight deadlines
• BS/BA required

Nice To Haves

• Curious staff members
• Experience working with Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs)

Responsibilities

• Serves as an internal subject matter expert in the field of instructional design; designs, develops, and delivers, a wide range of STEM Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Commercialization, Ecosystem Development curricula and training programs to create customized learning solutions that are aligned with VentureWell’s strategy
• Leads the development and management of immersive experiences such as STEM Innovation & Entrepreneurship Communities of Practice, customized trainings/workshops and convenings
• Manages the logistics successful program implementation of activities and programs
• Attend conferences and meetings to serve on panels and/or present insights, strategies, and best practices to various audiences
• Leverages experiences and knowledge to coordinate, develop and implement new and existing delivery methods and synthesize lessons learned to improve learning outcomes
• Incorporate social learning principles into programs to support the diffusion of ideas and best practices
• Defines competency models and skills frameworks for various audiences in higher education, industry and government by translating Invention, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship content into easy-to-understand learning objectives and materials
• Provides recommendations to support continuous improvement and organizational learning
• Implements defined program objectives, using domain experience to deliver programming – including group conversation facilitation, presenting and teaching directly in a “front of classroom” role, and one-on-one engagements with participants (e.g. students, faculty, professionals, etc.)
• Actively participates in internal (and external) collaboration and communication to ensure program success through use of project management tools and practices including project kick-off and ongoing management
• Contributes in collaboration and partnerships with external subject matter experts, consultants and vendors
• Designs, plans and facilitates effective meetings
• Prepares and syntheses written material and reports to funders
• Gathers and synthesizes critical information and builds strategies for project expansion and/or new project development
• Contributes to program design, evolution and renewals through provision of content for and authorship of reports to funders
• Identifies new strategies to engage IHEs into programming with a focus on assessing the unique training needs of these audiences
• Maintains relationships with university leadership and faculty to understand institutional goals, priorities, and challenges with supporting STEM Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Commercialization
• Conducts Virtual and In-Person site visits, as needed
• Support VentureWell membership activities

Benefits

• Salary range of $70,000-$85,000 commensurate with experience and internal equity
• 403(b) plan with 200% match up to a maximum contribution from VentureWell of 10% when the employee puts in 5% (eligible after one year of service for the match)
• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• $1,000 home office stipend upon hire
• Work weeks that reflect a focus on work-life balance
• Aim for employees in this position to not work more than a 40-hour workweek
• 20 paid vacation days
• 12 paid holidays
• 12 paid wellness days

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level