Program Manager, OCINO, Penn Center for Innovation

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

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The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Program Manager, OCINO, Penn Center for Innovation

Job Profile Title
Manager B, Business and Finance, Innovation

Job Description Summary
The Office of the Chief Innovation Officer (OCINO) serves to catalyze innovation across the entire University. OCINO engages broadly with the Penn community and external partners to identify and provide the critical resources needed to support this mission. OCINO is currently seeking an experienced Program Manager who will play a critical role in support of this effort.

The Program Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day operational management of OCINO's funding and investment programs, including oversight of application portals, tracking of funding submissions, communication with applicants, advisors and other key stakeholders, and coordinating the review/due diligence of funding/investment opportunities. This also includes supervising program interns as appropriate. The Program Manger role will serve as a key liaison with faculty, advisors, external investors/partners, and the university community. The Program Manager will also be responsible for supporting marketing and outreach initiatives, CRM/database administration, and financial and administrative operations as appropriate. Working closely with the Senior Executive Director and the Chief Innovation Officer, the Program Manager ensures that OCINO programs are delivered efficiently, and in manner that is consistent with organizational priorities. The role will also collaborate with the Penn Center for Innovation (PCI) as needed on select programs and administrative needs. The Program Manger position requires strong project management and organizational skills, very well developed communication skills, and the ability to balance and prioritize effort in a dynamic and innovation-focused environment. The role operates in a hybrid work setting. Please note, the Program Manager position is contingent upon on ongoing OCINO program funding.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day operations of priority OCINO programs including the NextUP Funding Program and the StartUP Fund. This includes oversight of the application/submission process, communication with applicants and external advisors, coordinating the evaluation and due diligence process for funding and investment opportunities, and post-award/funding reporting and communication. The Program Manager will also be responsible for supervising program interns as appropriate .

• Develop, manage and execute marketing and communications efforts to promote OCINO initiatives. Work with the Senior Executive Director in support of ongoing outreach efforts across the entire Penn ecosystem and local early stage investment community. The role will serve as the primary manager and administrator for the OCINO website

• Serve as primary administrator of OCINO's CRM database, overseeing all aspects of data management, including report generation and analytics to support OCINO leadership decision-making and program evaluation.

• Identify , cultivate and maintain strong relationships with relevant internal and external innovation stakeholders to support the growth and sustainability of OCINO initiatives, and to continually expand OCINO's impact on the Penn community

• Manage designated financial operations for relevant OCINO programs including budget tracking, ensuring compliance with University policies and financial procedures.

• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance OCINO team effectiveness and operational efficiency. Partner with the Penn Center for Innovation (PCI) as needed on select projects and administrative needs

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science and 2 to 3 years of experience  in program management, operations, higher education administration  or equivalent combination of education and experience is r equired .

• D emonstrated experience of successfully planning and managing multi-stakeholder programs in a highly innovative environment.

• A high level of proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and Outlook along with experience using Salesforce or a comparable CRM/database system is required .

• S trong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to create and edit content for reports, web, or marketing materials, as well as communication with internal and external partners/stakeholders.

• D emonstrate excellent organizational and project management skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities independently.

• E xperience working within a university, innovation, venture capital, startup, or entrepreneurial ecosystem preferred .

• Experience developing or supporting marketing and communications strategy, including digital and social media outreach, is desired.

• Experience with financial processing and budget tracking are advantageous .

• Demonstrated ability to identify opportunities for operational improvement and implement system enhancements is also preferred.

Application Requirement

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A Cover Letter and Resume/CV are required to be considered for this position. Please upload your Cover Letter where it asks you to upload your Resume/CV; multiple documents are allowed .

**Position contingent upon funding

Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School
Provost's Center

Pay Range
$65,628.00 - $75,000.00 Annual Rate
Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin   (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics) , citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected   under applicable federal, state or local law .

Special Requirements
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

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Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts : Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits  to protect you and your family’s health a