Head of Venture Acceleration, Program Manager

Lilie is the hub of entrepreneurship, innovation, venture capital, and research commercialization for Rice University. Our center offers over 50 for-credit, experiential courses annually alongside programs, resources, competitions, and accelerators to support entrepreneurs and innovators at every stage. We serve Rice University students, faculty, and alumni from all majors and degree programs, helping them turn ideas into real-world impact. Lilie has been ranked the #1 Graduate Entrepreneurship program in the country for the last seven consecutive years.

About the role

The Program Manager will lead Lilie’s Venture Acceleration program, identifying promising entrepreneurs, research, and companies within the Rice University ecosystem and designing immersive, experiential programs to catalyze their growth into successful startups. You will work closely with student founders to accelerate their growth, secure funding, and achieve their goals while connecting them to the broader Texas and U.S. startup ecosystems. This role involves facilitating mentorship and networking, developing and leading accelerator programs, and managing relationships with partners, sponsors, and key stakeholders.

Lilie operates as a small, collaborative team with an iterative creation process, sharing work early and often to refine outcomes. This is an on-site, term-limited position (two years with potential for extension) based on campus Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of major programs, including strategic and operational planning in collaboration with faculty and staff leadership.
• Identify promising research and technology from across the Rice University ecosystem to support startup acceleration.
• Oversee program operations, administration, and evaluation, ensuring alignment with Lilie’s mission and effectiveness.
• Develop and implement strategies for outreach, events, communications, partnerships, and fundraising.
• Manage financial and budgetary plans for programs, including approving and monitoring expenditures.
• Track and report on program metrics and impact.
• Facilitate mentorship, networking, and co-curricular opportunities for student founders.
• Support additional Lilie programming and courses as needed.
• May teach a course, seminar, or workshop.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Four or more years of entrepreneurship, program management, and/or startup experience.
• In lieu of experience, additional related education may substitute on a year-for-year basis.

Skills

• Ability to develop complex program partnerships and secure funding sources.
• Experience initiating new strategies and managing multiple projects under pressure.
• Strong organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, with a client-service orientation.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively to meet deadlines and goals.
• Sound judgment and ability to create contingency plans.
• Proactive, iterative approach to refining products and processes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five or more years of entrepreneurship or program management experience.
• Experience with startups and accelerator programs.
• Engagement within and across startup ecosystems.
• Background as a founder or operator in an early-stage startup, particularly while a student.
• Interest in entrepreneurship, deep tech, and venture capital.

Pay

Hiring range: $95,000 to $105,000, commensurate with education and experience. This is an exempt (salaried) position under FLSA and not eligible for overtime.