Temporary Community Experience Manager, Third Coast Foundry

University of Chicago•Chicago, CA

11d•Onsite

About The Position

The Community Experience Manager helps make the Third Coast Foundry a vibrant, well-connected hub for Midwest innovation in the Bay Area. This role combines in-space operations and user management with programming coordination and relationship building. The Community Experience Manager ensures that daily use of the space, along with its programming and events, supports Third Coast Foundry’s mission, oversees the user experience, and helps connect Third Coast Foundry users to each other and to the broader Bay Area ecosystem. This position manages a broad range of business operations and academic activities. Develops and implements office procedures and policies and ensures compliance. Prepares and monitors the budget for a unit.

Requirements

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Nice To Haves

1 to 3 years of relevant work experience.
Background in community-building, program coordination, event management, or a similar professional field.
Strong interest in university innovation, entrepreneurship, or Midwest/Bay Area ecosystems.
Demonstrated ability to operate independently, problem-solve, and exercise judgment while representing institutional interests professionally.
Exceptional interpersonal skills and comfort engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, including founders, investors, faculty, and alumni.
Strong organizational skills and manage multiple threads simultaneously.

Responsibilities

Serves as a welcoming and high touch point of contact for key visitors, partners, and university stakeholders.
Shapes and maintains the overall in-space experience and culture.
Oversees user management across the space including prioritization of rooms, guiding event hosts on usage, and resolving conflicts.
Provides input on and helps refine policies, guidelines, and communications to users.
Supports management of any interns working at the Third Coast Foundry.
Oversees day-to-day operational readiness of the space including signage, calendars, and upcoming partner visits.
Serves as a point of contact with building management and security for facilities needs.
Translates strategic guidance from University leadership and the Third Coast Foundry team into practical operations and user-facing processes.
Coordinates with building staff on upcoming weekly and long-term event calendars.
Coordinates event logistics and planning with hosts to ensure smooth execution of events, meetings, receptions, partner gatherings, and other programming in the office suite or shared building amenity spaces.
Provides oversight and guidance for set-up and takedown of furniture and equipment for gatherings and events, with occasional hands-on support as needed.
Assists with additional event needs such as room set-up, basic A/V checks, signage, and directing event flow.
Supports design and logistics of recurring programming aligned with Third Coast Foundry goals.
Builds relationships with Third Coast Foundry users, such as (startups, faculty, students, partners) and understands their needs in the space.
Serves as a connector between Midwest university stakeholders and Bay Area entrepreneurs, investors, and thought leaders in coordination with the Third Coast Foundry team.
Helps maintain and update contact lists, partner profiles, and basic CRM tracking for ongoing engagement.
Provides University leadership and Third Coast Foundry partners with updates on space usage, user feedback, and emerging opportunities or issues.
Collaborates on reporting regarding metrics and use of Third Coast Foundry.
Develops strategies to advance communications to users and ecosystem partners.
Uses best practices to develop and execute organization's operational and overall strategic plan.
Develops and implements relevant policies and procedures and ensures compliance.
Plans, develops, analyzes and manages budget, including developing multi-year budget forecasts.
May oversee the preparation and management of grant and contract proposals, ensuring compliance with all University, federal and private foundation guidelines and regulations.
Develops financial reports and assists with seeking funding for grants.
Performs other related work as needed.