Program Manager, Entrepreneurship Growth, Innovation and Future State

Job Description The Program Manager leads operations and delivery within the IVMF Entrepreneurship Growth, Innovation and Future State vertical, with primary responsibility for the J.P. Morgan Chase CEOcircle program and IVMF Veteran EDGE conference. Reporting to the Associate Director, Growth, Innovation and Future State, this position manages planning, execution, participant experience, and continuous improvement to deliver high-quality experiences for veteran and military-connected business leaders. This role translates program goals into workplans, oversees the full program and conference lifecycle, and partners across Shared Services, MarComms, CRM/Salesforce, finance, and external stakeholders to align recruitment, communications, registration, logistics, content delivery, sponsorship activation, and post-program follow-up. The position also supports the Associate Director on future growth initiatives, helping pilot new offerings and refine delivery models. This position requires strong project and event leadership, stakeholder management, and sound judgment to manage multiple workstreams while maintaining participant service, sponsor stewardship, and mission alignment. Preference given to candidates with experience in conference management, program delivery, entrepreneurship programming, and partner engagement. This position may be filled on a fully remote basis if the identified candidate is not currently located in Syracuse, NY (within 50 miles). Not all geographical areas within the United States are eligible. Employment offers at Syracuse University are based on a combination of factors including, but not limited to, the job responsibilities; the candidate’s education, training, work experience and key competencies; the university’s strategic priorities; internal peer equity; applicable federal, state, local laws, grant funding and contractual requisites; and external market analyses. Education and Experience Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in business administration, entrepreneurship, communications, event management, public administration, or a related field. Equivalent professional experience may be considered in lieu of a directly aligned degree fieldMinimum 4 years of experience in program management, conference/event management, partner-facing program delivery, entrepreneurship support programming, or a related operational leadership roleDemonstrated experience managing complex, deadline-driven initiatives with multiple stakeholders, workstreams, and public-facing deliverablesProven ability to coordinate cross-functional teams and external partners in a fast-paced environment while maintaining quality, professionalism, and accountabilityStrong written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing stakeholder communications, operational updates, and executive-ready materialsProficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint) and project management/workflow platforms; experience with CRM systems such as Salesforce is strongly preferredExperience supporting conferences, executive convenings, cohort-based programs, or sponsor-supported initiatives is strongly preferredPreference given to candidates with experience serving veteran, military-connected, university, nonprofit, corporate social impact, or mission-driven communities; military service connection or familiarity with the veteran entrepreneurship ecosystem is a plus. Skills and Knowledge Strong program and conference management capability, with the ability to drive multiple planning tracks from concept through closeoutExperience supporting executive-level participants, founders, corporate partners, sponsors, or high-visibility external stakeholdersAbility to build detailed project plans, manage dependencies, and proactively resolve operational issues before they affect deliveryFamiliarity with participant engagement practices, registration systems, agenda coordination, speaker support, and onsite event executionWorking knowledge of CRM and reporting tools, including Salesforce or comparable systems, for participant tracking, coordination, and performance reportingStrong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple complex timelines simultaneouslyComfort operating in an evolving environment where programs may be refined, piloted, or scaled over timeFamiliarity with IVMF entrepreneurship programs, growth-stage business support, or the broader veteran entrepreneurship landscape is preferredProficiency with shared planning and project platforms such as Monday.com or equivalent systems Responsibilities Program Management and Execution Support strategy, planning, and future-state development for a portfolio of special entrepreneurship programs, with particular emphasis on CEOcircle, Veteran EDGE, and future-state programming, ensuring alignment with IVMF and Entrepreneurship unit prioritiesServe as the lead project manager for CEOcircle and Veteran EDGE, managing annual and multi-cycle planning, key milestones, implementation schedules, deliverables, and execution readinessDevelop and maintain comprehensive project plans covering recruitment, speaker and presenter coordination, agenda development support, participant communications, sponsor deliverables, registration, logistics, onsite operations, and post-event follow-upEnsure each experience reflects IVMF quality standards, strategic intent, and a strong participant-centered approach for growth-stage and executive-level veteran entrepreneurs Cross-Functional Coordination and Stakeholder Management Act as the primary coordination point across the Growth, Innovation and Future State vertical and internal support functions including Shared Services, MarComms, Salesforce/CRM, finance, procurement, and leadershipCoordinate regularly with the Associate Director to align priorities, surface risks, track decisions, and maintain visibility across all major workstreamsManage relationships with external partners, speakers, sponsors, venues, vendors, and subject matter contributors to ensure timely program execution, clear expectations, and professional representation of IVMF Support IVMF in external meetings, convenings, and stakeholder forumsUnder the direction of, and in collaboration with, the AD Growth, cultivate and manage relationships with corporate, philanthropic, and veteran-serving ecosystem partners to expand collaboration opportunities, strengthen program relevance, and support growth of entrepreneurship initiatives Ecosystem Stakeholder Engagement Support the ideation of the entrepreneurial vision for state-of-the-art program executionCollaborate with internal vertical teams within the Entrepreneurship structure and within IVMF, including research, communications, operations, and advancement, to support program outcomes and reportingServe as the operational liaison for executive-level stakeholders, speakers, sponsors, entrepreneurs, alumni, and institutional partnersCultivate a network of relationships on behalf of the Entrepreneurship unit, understand key market and stakeholder forces, support development of a business strategic plan aligned to program priorities and stakeholder needs, and support development and execution of participant recruitment and engagement strategies to increase program awareness, enrollment, and long-term community participation Innovation, Growth, and Portfolio Development Support Support the Associate Director in the development, piloting, refinement, and scaling of future growth and innovation programsConduct research, organize planning materials, document emerging concepts, support partnership exploration, and help translate new ideas into operational models, timelines, and launch-ready processesCapture lessons learned across CEOcircle, Veteran EDGE, and adjacent initiatives to inform future-state programming and continuous portfolio improvementIdentify, recommend, shape, and test new concepts, pilots, and partnership models that advance innovation, community building, and long-term growth across the entrepreneurship portfolio Reporting, Documentation, and Continuous Improvement Prepare briefing materials, status updates, after-action summaries, planning documents, and dashboard inputs for leadership and internal stakeholdersMaintain organized records, standard operating procedures, templates, planning trackers, and institutional knowledge that improve efficiency and consistency across the portfolioUse participant feedback, stakeholder input, and operational results to recommend improvements to future program design and execution Physical Requirements Not Applicable Tools/Equipment Not Applicable Application Instructions In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter. About Syracuse University Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings, and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and over 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience. The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors, 100 minors, and 200 advanced degree programs offered across the University’s 13 schools and colleges; over 15,000 undergraduates and over 6,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.syracuse.edu. About The Syracuse Area Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal. EEO Statement Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities. Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University’s contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members. Commitment to a Respectful and Welcoming Community Syracuse University fosters a welcoming learning environment where students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all aspects of campus life reflect a broad range of perspectives and experiences. The University community values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to engage with and appreciate the richness of backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences that shape our society. To achieve this, we strive to cultivate a community that respects and encourages open dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect.