Manager of Venture Development

Oklahoma-State-University; Stillwater (OK); On-site; USD 58,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, seeks a dynamic professional to support and advance entrepreneurship programs that empower student innovators and startup founders. You will coach, mentor, and connect ventures to resources, manage programs, events, and initiatives to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem and engage students.

The role requires advising on business model development, customer discovery, and funding opportunities while building relationships across campus and the business

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Higher Education Administration, or related field.
• 5 years experience in a related field.
• Post-secondary education may substitute for years of required experience.

Responsibilities

• Advise student entrepreneurs on business model development, customer discovery, funding opportunities, and startup best practices.
• Coordinate and assess entrepreneurship programs and events.
• Build relationships across campus and the broader business community.
• Connect ventures with resources and technical assistance.
• Support marketing and outreach efforts; provide administrative and operational support.

Skills

Student Engagement

Advising

Program Coordination

Relationship Building

Entrepreneurial Mindset

Communication

Event Planning

Team Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field

Job description

Campus

OSU-Stillwater

Contact Name & Email

Jeannette Parrish, [e-mail]

Work Schedule

Monday- Friday, 8am-5pm with occasional evenings and weekends.

Appointment Length

Regular Continuous/Until Further Notice

Hiring Range

$58,000 - $72,000

About this Position

The Riata Center is seeking a dynamic and student-focused professional to support and advance entrepreneurship programs that empower student innovators and startup founders. This position provides direct venture support through coaching, mentoring, and resource connection while managing entrepreneurial programs, events, and initiatives designed to foster innovation and business creation. The successful candidate will collaborate with students, faculty, mentors, alumni, and community partners to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem and enhance student engagement.

Key responsibilities include advising student entrepreneurs on business model development, customer discovery, funding opportunities, and startup best practices; coordinating and assessing entrepreneurship programs and events; building relationships across campus and the broader business community; connecting ventures with resources and technical assistance; supporting marketing and outreach efforts; and providing administrative and operational support. This role requires strong communication, program management, relationship-building, and organizational skills, along with a passion for helping students transform ideas into successful ventures.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Higher Education Administration, or related field.
  (degree must be conferred on or before agreed upon start date)
• 5 years experience in a related field

Post-secondary education may substitute for years of required experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's related field
• Experience:
  • working in a university entrepreneurship center, incubator, or accelerator.
  • mentoring students or entrepreneurs.
  • coordinating programs, events, or entrepreneurial initiatives.

Skills, Proficiencies, and/or Knowledge:

Core Competencies:

• Student Engagement & Advising
• Program Coordination & Execution
• Relationship Building
• Entrepreneurial Mindset
• Communication & Outreach
• Event Planning & Management
• Team Collaboration Manager of Student Startups