Program Specialist II

Iowa State University•Ames, IA

15h•Onsite

About The Position

The Iowa State Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship is seeking a Program Specialist to support its CyBIZ Lab Student Consulting Program (Program Specialist II). The Iowa State University CyBIZ Lab provides the opportunity for cross-functional teams of undergraduate and graduate students to work on business and organizational projects. Students gain hands-on experience working to solve real business problems, and companies and organizations receive potential solutions to business issues from a perspective outside the company. CyBIZ Lab services are available to existing businesses and corporations, startups, university departments, and non-profit organizations. Consulting and startup projects are fee-based and priced according to complexity and timeframe. The individual in this position will be a self-starter with business and industry project experience. The successful candidate will apply their business acumen to support the CyBIZ Lab program through student recruitment, working with and mentoring student teams, reviewing and editing student-created surveys and professional reports, analyzing data, and preparing students for executive-level board presentations. This individual will be comfortable in the business environment, speaking to industry leaders, interacting with clients, giving public presentations, networking with potential partners, and processing program metrics.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree
2 years of related experience
Self-starter with business and industry project experience
Comfortable in the business environment, speaking to industry leaders, interacting with clients, giving public presentations, networking with potential partners, and processing program metrics.
Legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Experience preparing professional reports, project scope documents, marketing materials, and client-facing communications.
Experience analyzing complex business challenges and developing solutions across various industries, including education, manufacturing, technology, agriculture, software, retail, nonprofits, or startups.
Experience with project management, including overseeing multiple projects, managing timelines, and coordinating deliverables with multiple stakeholders.
Experience mentoring or guiding student teams, facilitating leadership experiences, reviewing and editing reports, and supporting student consulting projects from research through execution.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Qualtrics, market research databases, Workday, or similar business technology platforms; experience with CyBIZ Lab preferred.

Responsibilities

Support and mentor student consulting teams by providing project guidance, accountability, feedback, and resources throughout the project lifecycle.
Monitor project progress by communicating regularly with student team leaders and escalating concerns or resource needs to the program director.
Improve program operations by identifying opportunities to enhance student training, internal processes, and semester planning.
Prepare students for executive-level client presentations through coaching, mentoring, and review of professional reports and survey instruments.
Recruit, interview, evaluate, and onboard student consultants for multidisciplinary project teams.
Develop and deliver student training programs, workshops, and skill-building opportunities to enhance consulting competencies.
Coordinate student engagement initiatives, including case competitions and recruitment events.
Build and maintain relationships with businesses and community partners to generate consulting projects and expand the client pipeline.
Represent the program at business events, conferences, and university outreach activities to promote CyBIZ Lab and identify new partnership opportunities.
Assist with business development by scoping projects, managing client leads, and supporting sustainable program growth.