Manager, Venture Programs (TERM)

University of Toronto; Toronto; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Canadian university is seeking a Manager, Venture Programs to oversee entrepreneurship and commercialization initiatives. This role involves coordinating programs that empower innovators and enhance entrepreneurial capacity. The candidate should have a strong background in program management, ideally with experience in the startup ecosystem. Excellent communication and collaboration skills are essential, along with the ability to manage multiple projects effectively.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years of relevant experience managing complex programs involving startups and ventures.
• At least four years of experience in the entrepreneurial or venture-building community.
• Proven experience in project management, including the development of project charters and scopes.

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement components of curricular and/or co-curricular programs.
• Research and recommend new opportunities for external collaborations.
• Develop project schedules including milestones and deliverables.

Skills

Project management

Budget management

Analytical skills

Collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration

Job description

Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Closing Date: 01/09/2026, 11:59PM ET
Schedule: Full-Time
Appointment Type: Budget - Term

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 Manager, Venture Programs 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 signature programs such as our Venture Mentoring Service, Catalyst Programs, Venture Creation Series, 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 of Arts & Science.

Working closely with the Executive Director and the entrepreneurship programs team, the Manager, Venture Programs 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 Manager, Venture Programs 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 implementing components 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 schedules including 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 relevant experience managing complex programs involving startups and ventures is required.
• Of the required five years of relevant experience, at least four must be as a founder and/or within the entrepreneurial or venture-building community.
• Of the five years of relevant experience, at least four years must involve demonstrated experience in the creation, development, launch, and execution of co-curricular programs 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 cyclesand 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.
• Demonstratable experience directing the activities of a group of employees all performing a similar function
• 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
• Excellent collaboration skills and demonstratable experience in team work to deliver goals across multiple groups
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

Assets (Nonessential)

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

To be successful in this role you will be

• Accountable
• Diplomatic
• Proactive
• Team player

NOTES

• Please note this is an 18 month term.
• 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 may be eligible for an Alternative Work Arrangement in accordance with the University of Toronto’s Alternative Work Arrangements Guideline.

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.

Diversity Statement

The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.

As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please see http://uoft.me/UP.

Accessibility Statement

The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission.

The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.

If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact [e-mail].