Cohort Program Manager

University of Nebraska – Lincoln; Lincoln (NE); On-site; USD 70,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Nebraska – Lincoln is seeking a Cohort Program Manager in Lincoln, NE to lead the Center for Entrepreneurship’s Accelerator and Catalysts programs. The role involves coaching student teams, managing mentor and investor relations, and supporting the Husker Venture Fund.

Required qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree and five years in startup/venture environments, with demonstrated AI tool usage. Evening/weekend hours may be needed. This is an EO/AA employer.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and five years of relevant startup/venture development experience.
• Demonstrated experience leveraging AI tools in a professional or entrepreneurial context.

Responsibilities

• Manage and enhance the Center’s cohort programs (Accelerator and Catalysts); coach student teams through startup development.
• Maintain mentor, service provider, and investor relationships to support program success.
• Co-advises Husker Venture Fund and supports the Cornhusker Venture Capital Investment Competition.

Skills

AI tools experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Cohort Program Manager

Department: Center for Entrepreneurship-1302

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Location: Lincoln, NE

Posted Salary: $78,000/year minimum

Planned Hire Date: September 2026

Open Until Filled: Yes

Application Review Date: 08/27/2026

Description of Work

The Cohort Program Manager will support the advancement of the mission and purpose of the Center for Entrepreneurship. This position is primarily responsible for managing and enhancing the Center’s cohort programs (the Accelerator and the Catalysts cohort), coaching student teams through the startup development process and maintaining the mentor, service provider, and investor relationships that make those programs successful.

This position also co-advises the Husker Venture Fund, the Center’s student-run venture capital fund, and supports the Cornhusker Venture Capital Investment Competition. Occasional evening and weekend hours will be required.

As an EO/AA employer, qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation. See: http://www.unl.edu/equity/notice-nondiscrimination.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and five (5) years of relevant experience in a startup environment or equivalent- including direct experience founding a company, working in a key operational role alongside a founder (e.g., chief of staff, co-founder, early employee), or comparable experience in venture development, accelerator/incubator leadership, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience leveraging AI tools in a professional or entrepreneurial context.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree.
• Coaching or mentoring early-stage entrepreneurs.
• Experience teaching or facilitating workshops in a higher education or accelerator setting.
• Familiarity with venture capital, angel investing, or student-run investment funds.

The ideal candidate possesses a deep network within regional or national startup ecosystems. AI fluency is a baseline expectation throughout this role: the person in this position should naturally leverage current AI tools to improve their work, including in coaching students on customer discovery, market assessment, and go-to-market strategy. We are seeking a self-starter, connector, and practitioner who can teach, coach, and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Additional Information

Pre-Placement Driving Record Review Required: No

Physical Required: No

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) required. Subject to DOT approved pre-employment & random testing for alcohol and controlled substances.: No

Criminal History Background Check Required: Yes

Position funded by grant or other form of temporary funding? Yes

For questions or accommodations related to this position contact: Sam Nelson, [e-mail]