Senior Program Manager, Commercialization - Military veterans preferred

Description:

Position Summary  

The Senior Program Manager, Commercialization oversees the processes to support the creation, preparation, and implementation of programs and functional areas within Commercialization, helping life sciences and healthcare technology startups accelerate from prototype to market. This role is primarily responsible for analyzing the needs of entrepreneurs and other key organizations to suggest enhancements to existing Science Center commercialization programs and new venture activities. This person will be able to identify problems and gaps in innovation, recommend creative solutions, and execute on solutions that leverage the Science Center’s partners and program participants.  The Senior Program Manager works closely with the Commercialization team members, internal stakeholders and external stakeholders to manage within approved budgets and to meet timelines for assigned programs and projects.  This role is execution-focused, ideal for someone with strong project management skills, a solid understanding of medical technology product development, and experience working with startups founders. 

The Senior Program Manager, Commercialization will have cross-industry knowledge of the needs of technology-based startup companies in the life/health sciences, physical sciences, and/or digital industries; will be a competent project and process manager with specific interest in medical technology innovation ecosystems; will be an enthusiastic program developer and manager of highly integrated networks of key people including entrepreneurs, inventors, investors, and industry professionals. 

The Senior Program Manager, Commercialization has internal contact with the entire staff and external contact with clients and vendors. This position has access to sensitive UCSC information and is expected to handle such information with integrity and professionalism. This position is expected to represent the UCSC in a professional manner.?The Senior Program Manager, Commercialization will report directly to the Director of Commercialization Programming. This position will participate in department activities as necessary. 

Essential Functions   

• Manage day-to-day execution of commercialization programs and startup cohorts. 
• Formulate, organize, and monitor?inter-connected tasks associated with assigned functions, programs and projects to ensure that Commercialization programs and activities are implemented. 
• Develop strong relationships with program participants, subject matter experts, and other stakeholders with the intent to provide highest quality of service and attention to detail. 
• Coordinate and track cross-project activities logistics for Commercialization, including program timelines, budgets, deliverables, and risks. 
• Manage logistics for all program components, including onsite facilities, technology, catering, and participant materials.? 
• Identify problems and gaps in innovation and recommend creative solutions to enhance programming. 
• Coordinate and oversee speaker contracts, travel arrangements, and stipends.? 
• Produce reports and/or materials to provide to leadership and external stakeholders  
• Collect data and perform analyses relevant for Commercialization programs and projects. 
• Support grant reporting and tracking of key metrics required by funders. 
• Support continuous improvement of commercialization tools, playbooks, and processes. 
• Complete and maintain key documentation across assigned functions, programs and projects within Commercialization. 

Additional Responsibilities?  

• Adhere to UCSC’s security guidelines and ensure the appropriate handling of sensitive information.? 
• Facilitate and attend relevant staff meetings to promote communication and execution of goals.  
• Complete special projects specific to the function of the department or as needed for the department, or as directed by Science Center management.  
• Other duties as assigned within the scope of position expectations.  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities?  

• Passion for science, technology and entrepreneurship, and a strong understanding of practices and concepts of growing early-stage technology companies. International experience a plus  
• Understanding of the life cycle of a startup and the continuum of startup commercialization  
• Proven expertise envisioning, planning, and implementing events.  
• An inclusive, welcoming, and hospitable approach – ability to build strong community while also solving problems, directly and honestly as they arise.  
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills, and also a skilled listener. Real, natural comfort with speaking to diverse individuals and groups, in formal and informal settings.  
• Ability to communicate and collaborate across business, academia, government, civil society, and other key stakeholders.  
• Excellent organizational, project and task management skills.  
• Demonstrated willingness to optimize facts, judgment, and desire to create new programs and enterprises, with an entrepreneurial and disciplined approach to “make it happen”. 
• Ability to manage multiple facets of event planning and implementation with strong attention to detail in an often fast-paced and constantly changing environment. Commitment to follow up and follow through.  
• A strong relationship with technology and utilizes the applications and tools available 
• Solid understanding of customer experience, marketing, public relations, and communication tactics and ability to align these tactics with program objectives.  
• Possesses strong interpersonal skills as demonstrated by compassionate, courteous, cordial, cooperative, and professional interaction with diverse groups of co-workers, external business partners, and the community.  
• Adheres to all UCSC and departmental policies and procedures.  

Experience, Education, and Licensure?  

Minimum Experience: 5-7 years of experience in a program manager role. Experience in partnership development in facilitating start-up business growth. Operations experience in commercial product development is desired. Experience in both non-profit and for-profit organizational environments desired.  

Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree required in a relevant field such as Life Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Medical Technology, Healthcare Innovation, or Business Administration.

Master’s degree (MBA, MS, MPH, or related) preferred, especially with a focus in medical technology, healthcare management, or commercialization 

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