Program Manager I - Schulze School of Entrepreneurship

The University of St. Thomas invites qualified candidates to apply for a Program Manager I position within the Schulze School of Entrepreneurship.

This position is funded through gifts and/or grants and is contingent upon the availability of such funding and ongoing business needs.

The University of St. Thomas embraces belonging and equal opportunity for all. Our convictions of dignity, diversity and personal attention call us to embody and champion an inclusive environment.  The University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer (EEO).  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, status as a protected veteran, or other protected characteristic.  This commitment to inclusion and equal opportunity is consistent with our mission: Inspired by Catholic intellectual tradition, the University of St. Thomas educates students to be morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely, and work skillfully to advance the common good.  A successful candidate will possess a commitment to the ideals of this mission.

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY

The University of St. Thomas offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program, which includes:

• Tuition Remission for employees, spouses, and dependents
• Generous Retirement Contributions to support your future
• Comprehensive Health Coverage including medical, dental, and vision
• Fully Paid Insurance: disability, life, and AD&D
• Paid Parental Leave to support growing families

Salary Range: $55,000 to $66,150

The University of St. Thomas has provided a salary range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The specific salary offered will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.

JOB SUMMARY

The Schulze School of Entrepreneurship is ranked #11 among undergraduate entrepreneurship programs in the country and #1 in Minnesota. More than a school, it is a hub of innovative thinking where students, seasoned entrepreneurs, small business owners, and community changemakers come together to solve problems that matter and create value for others. We do this through rigorous experiences, immersive competitions, and programs that connect Tommies to the people and institutions shaping what comes next. The Program Manager role sits at the center of how the Schulze School brings its mission to life, owning a comprehensive portfolio of co- and extra-curricular programs that shape student experience, stakeholder engagement, and national reputation. This position holds primary responsibility for managing high-impact programs that serve internal audiences—including students and faculty across the University—as well as external stakeholders such as high school students, alumni, business leaders, and members of the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The Program Manager oversees complex, multi-phase initiatives including venture competitions (St. Thomas Business Plan Competition, Fowler Business Concept Challenge, Fowler Global Social Innovation Challenge), immersive student experiences (Freshman Innovation Immersion), and institutional programs such as the Schulze Summer Internship Grant. These programs are critical to extending the reach and reputation of the Schulze School and are evaluated based on participation, quality, stakeholder engagement, and contribution to institutional priorities.

The Program Manager serves as the school's primary steward of program data, leading assessment, tracking, and reporting across the full co-curricular portfolio. This includes administration of the Princeton Review survey and Tommie Owned Business Directory, which contributes directly to the school's national rankings, as well as ongoing management of data systems that inform decision-making and support stakeholder engagement

This position operates with a high degree of autonomy and is responsible for decision-making, program outcomes, and stakeholder engagement within assigned program areas.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Program Design, Student Engagement & Event Management

• Lead the full lifecycle (design, planning, execution, and evaluation) of a portfolio of entrepreneurship programs and events including the St. Thomas Business Plan Competition, Freshman Innovation Immersion, Entrepreneurship Welcome and Graduation events, and the Schulze Summer Internship Grant program.
• Partner with the Associate Director to lead planning, execution, and continuous improvement of the Fowler competitions portfolio, including the Fowler Business Concept Challenge and Fowler Global Social Innovation Challenge, with responsibility for participant experience, operational management, and program delivery.
• Develop and manage comprehensive project plans, timelines, operational workflows, and performance benchmarks to ensure high-quality program delivery and continuous improvement across the full portfolio.
• Drive recruitment and engagement of students, mentors, judges, internship providers, alumni, and external partners in support of program goals.
• Oversee competition platforms and systems, including submission setup, application management, reviewer recruitment, troubleshooting, participant support, and evaluation processes.
• Manage scoring, advancement decisions, and assessment processes in collaboration with program leadership.
• Lead administration of the Schulze Summer Internship Grant program, including employer partnership development, student selection processes, and ongoing program oversight.
• Direct all operational and logistical aspects of events including scheduling, space and technology planning, vendor coordination, communications, and day-of execution.
• Serve as the primary relationship manager for program stakeholders, maintaining strong communication and engagement across internal and external audiences.
• Evaluate program outcomes through surveys, data analysis, benchmarking, and stakeholder feedback; implement improvements based on findings.
• Maintain accurate records and reporting related to participation, engagement, and program performance metrics.
• Provide leadership and support across the program management team during high-volume periods and major events; serve as interim program lead as needed to ensure operational continuity.
• Partner with the Program Coordinator to recruit, train, and oversee student workers, interns, and ambassadors.

Data, Communications & Systems Strategy

• Lead and administer the Princeton Review survey process, including survey preparation, cross-campus data collection, stakeholder coordination, alumni outreach, benchmarking analysis, and final submission.
• Analyze Princeton Review and peer benchmarking data to identify trends, assess institutional performance, and provide strategic recommendations for improvement.
• Lead development and ongoing management of dashboards tracking key program and institutional performance indicators across the Schulze School of Entrepreneurship, Family Business Center, Small Business Development Center, and Center for Corporate Innovation.
• Maintain and enhance stakeholder databases, including participation, engagement, and demographic data; leverage those networks to support recruitment of mentors, judges, alumni, and program partners.
• Manage and continuously improve the Tommie Owned Business Directory, including approval processes, annual audits, and collaboration with ITS and Marketing, Insights & Communications to enhance functionality and user experience.
• Oversee event registration, communications, and data tracking through Salesforce, Marketing Cloud, Qualtrics, and TommieLink. Maintain integrity and accuracy of program and participant data across systems.
• Lead development and distribution of the quarterly Schulze School newsletter, including content creation, coordination, and delivery.
• Serve as primary liaison with Marketing, Insights & Communications on website strategy, updates, and digital initiatives.
• Manage and update program webpages in Cascade, ensuring content is current, accurate, and aligned with program goals and institutional priorities.

Student Organization Advising

• Serve as staff advisor to the Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization (CEO), providing guidance and oversight to student leadership.
• Attend meetings and events, including large-scale campus programming, and support organizational planning and execution.
• Ensure organizational compliance with university policies and procedures, including financial and purchasing guidelines.
• Approve financial transactions and serve as budget approver for the organization.
• Act as liaison between the organization and university departments to support effective operations and program success.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• Three years of professional experience in program management, event management, or related fields
• Demonstrated experience managing complex programs or initiatives with multiple stakeholders.

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

•  Professional experience within higher education, entrepreneurship, or nonprofit environments.

HOW TO APPLY

All interested candidates must apply online at https://www.stthomas.edu/jobs/. Follow the instructions to complete an online application which includes creating or updating an applicant profile, uploading a resume, and completing a job specific application.

In light of its commitment to create and maintain a safe learning and working environment, employment with the University of St. Thomas requires consent and successful completion of a background screening.

Official job posting is available at www.stthomas.edu/jobs.