Lead, Venture Programs & Services (TERM)

Date Posted: 07/22/2025
Req ID: 44310
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Arts & Science
Department: Centre for Entrepreneurship
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Position Number: 00055841

Description:

About us:

The Faculty of Arts & Science is the heart of Canada’s leading university and one of the most comprehensive and diverse academic divisions in the world. The strength of Arts & Science derives from our combined teaching and research excellence in the humanities, sciences and social sciences across 29 departments, seven colleges and 46 interdisciplinary centres, institutes and programs.

We can only realize our mission with the dedication and excellence of engaged staff and faculty. The diversity of opportunities and perspectives within the Faculty reflect the local and global landscape and the need for curiosity, innovative thinking and collaboration. At Arts & Science, we take pride in our legacy of innovation and discovery that has changed the way we think about the world.

The Centre for Entrepreneurship is the hub for innovation and entrepreneurship-related education and venture services in the Faculty of Arts & Science. The Centre works collaboratively with academic departments, college programs, centres, institutes and schools to serve undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty and alumni. A core component of its mandate is to build an entrepreneurial culture throughout Arts & Science by incorporating a central theme of instilling an entrepreneurial mindset and bias toward action.


Your opportunity:

Under the supervision of the Executive Director, the Lead, Venture Programs& Services will support the development, coordination and execution of a range of entrepreneurship and commercialization programs and initiatives offered by the Centre for Entrepreneurship. This includes admissions to our co-working space, Venture Mentoring Service, and other ideation to early-stage startup programs and services. The successful incumbent will play a key role in helping to build and deliver programming that empowers innovators and strengthens entrepreneurial capacity across the Faculty ofArts & Science.

Working closely with the Executive Director and entrepreneurship education team, the Lead, Venture Programs & Services role will support the Centre in researching and identifying partnerships and collaboration opportunities to grow the Centre’s offerings and support of entrepreneurial activities across the Faculty of Arts & Science. The Lead, Venture Programs & Services role works in collaboration with various internal and external stakeholders, including across the University’s entrepreneurship ecosystem to serve students, alumni, and faculty entrepreneurs from all disciplines and levels of experience.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Planning and implementingcomponents of curricular and/or co-curricular programs and activities
• Researching and recommending new opportunities for external collaborations and partnerships
• Liaising with management to determine goals and priorities
• Implementing program improvements and maintenance of program standards
• Acting as the first point of contact for program-related enquiries
• Assessing and selecting qualified applicants, including exceptional cases
• Developing project schedulesincluding milestones, critical path, timelines, deliverables and reporting
• Monitoring accounts for a project and/or program

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in business administration or acceptable combination of equivalent experience.
• Minimum five years of related experience managing complex programs involving startups and ventures is required.
• Minimum five years of demonstrated experience as a founder and/or working within the entrepreneurial or venture-building community is required.
• Of the five years of related experience, at least four years must involve demonstrated experience in the creation, development, launch, and execution of program or project strategies.
• Of the five years of relevant experience, a minimum of two years must specifically involve coordinating mentoring programs. Experience supporting mentoring initiatives and working with entrepreneurs is preferred.
• Proven experience in project management, including the development of comprehensive project charters and scopes, conducting thorough risk assessments, executing multi-phase project plans, and applying effective benchmarking, performance metrics, and reporting practices.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with a diverse range of stakeholders, including senior administrative executives, researchers, alumni, and students is essential
• Expert knowledge of venture life cycles and common challenges face by startups is required.
• Demonstrated strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a high level of attention to detail.
• Proven experience in managing program budgets.
• Superb communication and interpersonal skills to lead a diverse group of stakeholders and facilitate groups with a broad range of experience, ideas and backgrounds
• Strong organizational, time management and problem-solving skills to manage simultaneous demands of the leadership and program/process development work
• Ability to demonstrate integrity, professional maturity, judgment, tact, diplomacy and have the ability to maintain confidentiality
• Must be flexible and adaptable with a high level of initiative and results orientation
• Applicants must show evidence of a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and the promotion of a respectful and collegial learning and working environment
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

Assets (Nonessential):

• Master’s of Business Administration
• Experience in the field of global entrepreneurship is an asset.

To be successful in this role you will be:

• Accountable
• Diplomatic
• Entrepreneurial
• Proactive
• Team player

Notes: 

• Please note this is a 15-month term opportunity. 
• If you are a current USW staff member, please apply using the "Current Staff Apply Here" button on the University of Toronto Careers page.
• This role is currently eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, pursuant to University policies and guidelines, including but not limited to the University of Toronto’s Alternative Work Arrangements Guideline.

Closing Date: 07/31/2025, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: USW 
Appointment Type: Budget - Term 
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:
USW Pay Band 14 -- $91,677. with an annual step progression to a maximum of $117,242. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol. 
Job Category: Student Services

Lived Experience Statement
Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.