[MISSOULA FROM THE M] 

ACCELERATE MONTANA invites applications for a BLACKSTONE LAUNCHPAD MANAGER. This position will collaborate with the Blackstone LaunchPad Director to manage the Blackstone LaunchPad on the UM campus. This position will oversee daily activity in the Blackstone LaunchPad program and implement various development initiatives of the program, which complement the entrepreneurial efforts throughout the UM community.  The Manager will provide counseling and coaching to student entrepreneurs, as well as supervise the planning and orchestrating of a variety of events and meetings. The Manager reports to the Director of the Blackstone LaunchPad and is responsible for supervising other LaunchPad staff, including student employees.

Blackstone Launchpad advances entrepreneurship across all disciplines within UM by supporting programs and services that encourage students, both graduate and undergraduate, to pursue entrepreneurship as a career path and/or develop an entrepreneurial mindset and skillset. Additionally, the program simultaneously enhances and complements other Accelerate MT programs that support the growth of statewide entrepreneurial efforts.

Position duties include, but are not limited to:

• Responsible for communications activity to raise awareness of the program across campus and in the wider alumni and business community
• Executing events that attract potential participants and enhance the entrepreneurial understanding of prospective and existing program participants, provide networking opportunities
• Recruiting student and alumni entrepreneurs into the program
• Oversee the student run “Venture Coaching” program
• Perform consultation sessions with student entrepreneurs and alumni; work closely with participants to identify resources in the business community that can help them in furthering their ideas and action steps
• Monitor and support the progress of program participants
• Manage and maintain the database and documentation needed to track the productivity and success of the consultation program of the Blackstone LaunchPad, prepare reports
• Assist with coordinating efforts with other LaunchPad Centers
• Lead the planning and execution of the John Ruffatto Business Startup Challenge, in collaboration with the College of Business
• Stay current in the literature of entrepreneurship, including innovative business models and advances in technology
• Support program engagement and interaction with alumni, faculty and staff, community-based and alumni entrepreneurs who would act as mentors and with members of business and industry organizations

The University of Montana is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five PRIORITIES FOR ACTION: Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always"; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.

POSITION DETAILS

• Position is full-time, 1.0 FTE, Letter of Appointment and includes a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including Insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree and three (3) or more years of business experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Experience in a business related consultative or advisory role and/or as an entrepreneur
• Experience with marketing communications and outreach activities
• Experience in event planning and management
• Effective networking and relationship development skills
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Understanding of resources available for entrepreneurs and current business models

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• Experience working with college students in a university setting, emphasizing an educational and developmental approach
• Experience supervising other employees

ABOUT UM AND BLACKSTONE LAUNCH PAD

The University of Montana is flagship, research institution with more than 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students. It is located in Missoula, a culturally vibrant community of about 75,000, surrounded by mountains and three rivers converge. Abundant recreational opportunities in surrounding state and national forests and nearby Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park complement a thriving intellectual atmosphere.

The Blackstone LaunchPad is part of the ACCELERATE MONTANA program at the University of Montana. Blackstone LaunchPad is an international organization, founded in 2008, that is committed to providing entrepreneurial and skill-building support to students in order for them to succeed in any career they choose. The Blackstone LaunchPad organization has a network of 30 different LaunchPads located at Universities across the United States and in Ireland.

Our mission and goal is to provide UM students and Montana community members the opportunity to explore entrepreneurship, create a viable career path, develop entrepreneur skills and mindsets. It is crucial to us that we support all people to explore ideas, pursue opportunities, and create the future.  The mission of Accelerate MT is to foster Statewide economic and workforce development.

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TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA, PLEASE VISIT THE LINKS BELOW.

• UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA
  • Video: MISSION FIRST, PEOPLE ALWAYS
  • UM ON YOUTUBE

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION IS REQUIRED PRIOR TO OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT. In accordance with University policy, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations. ADA/EOE/AA/VETERAN'S PREFERENCE. Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law. REFERENCES *References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. TESTING Individual hiring departments at UM may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions.

EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY.  All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).

HOW TO APPLY

PRIORITY APPLICATION DATE: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2021 by 11:59 pm (MST)

APPLICATIONS RECEIVED BY THIS DATE WILL BE GUARANTEED CONSIDERATION.  APPLICATION REVIEW WILL BEGIN AFTER DATE ABOVE AND CONTINUE UNTIL THE POSITION IS FILLED. 

Please submit the following application materials via "New Resume/CV" button below. 

*Please note: only five (5) attachments are allowed per application. Please combine documents accordingly.

• LETTER OF INTEREST – addressing the stated required skills for the position
• DETAILED RESUME listing education and describing work experience
• THREE (3) PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES - Names and contact information

Required Skills Required Experience

• Ability to speak clearly and be understood. Work with little or no supervision.
• Must be able to perform the following functions in variable weather and environmental conditions:
• Push, pull, bend, stoop, twist, turn, reach, crawl, or grip as necessary to demonstrate job functions and operate required equipment.
• Work in restricted spaces as necessary to demonstrate job functions. Ability to lift 35 lbs.
• Work in a high noise level environment.
• Ability to work with all levels of management in communicating issues and making presentations.
• Reports to work on a regular and timely basis.