Cohort Program Manager

University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Oklahoma; On-site; USD 70,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Nebraska-Lincoln is seeking a Working Title Cohort Program Manager to advance the Center for Entrepreneurship’s mission by overseeing the Accelerator and Catalysts cohorts and coaching student teams through startup development.

The role also maintains mentor and investor networks, co-advises the Husker Venture Fund, and supports the Cornhusker Venture Capital Investment Competition, with occasional evening and weekend hours 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, or comparable experience in venture development, accelerator/incubator leadership.
• Demonstrated experience leveraging AI tools in a professional or entrepreneurial context.

Responsibilities

• Manage and enhance the Center’s cohort programs (the Accelerator and the Catalysts cohort).
• Coach student teams through the startup development process and maintain mentor, service provider, and investor relationships.
• Co-advises Husker Venture Fund and supports the Cornhusker Venture Capital Investment Competition. Occasional evening and weekend hours will be required.

Skills

Startup experience

Coaching

Networking

Project management

AI fluency

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

AI tools

MS Office

Job description

Working Title Cohort Program Manager

Department Center for Entrepreneurship-1302

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.

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment. See https://equity.unl.edu/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.

Posted Salary $78,000/year minimum