Program Manager, Venture Development
24 days ago
Detroit
Job DescriptionDescription: The Program Manager, Venture Development is responsible for program delivery, healthcare innovation strategy, and ecosystem engagement, with a core focus on the Conquer Healthcare Accelerator and the Henry Ford + MSU Innovation Hub. This role serves as a connector across Spartan Innovations, Henry Ford Innovations, startup founders, and regional ecosystem partners. The position blends program management, pipeline development, partnership coordination, and early-stage commercialization support. Key Responsibilities Innovation Hub & Healthcare Ecosystem Engagement • Coordinate with the Henry Ford and MSU Innovation Hub teams to align startup engagement around healthcare priorities and pilot readiness., • Continuously assess startup standing, document support opportunities, and propose tailored next steps for each company., • Track and categorize startups by industry vertical, coordinating with internal stakeholders for next steps., • Build a living landscape model of key healthcare innovation stakeholders aligned with the broader Henry Ford and MSU Innovation Hub strategy., • Engage with Detroit-area entrepreneur support organizations, clinicians, and community stakeholders., • Serve as a liaison between Spartan Innovations and Henry Ford Innovations in meetings, communications, and events., • Execute the implementation, continuous improvement, and documentation of the Conquer Healthcare Accelerator., • Contribute to training materials, playbooks, and documentation to ensure consistent program delivery., • Build and maintain a strong pipeline of startups in advance of each cohort cycle., • Conduct eligibility reviews, screen applications, and ensure all required documentation is complete., • Serve as the first point of contact for applicants, providing clear communication and timely updates., • Conduct initial screening meetings and refer startups to the appropriate internal programs or partners., • Support management and tracking of pre-seed fund activities under Red Cedar Ventures., • Assist with investment memos, due diligence notes, and founder meeting summaries., • Maintain accurate deal flow and CRM records., • Coordinate pitch meetings, internal reviews, and investor communications., • Provide regular updates to Spartan Innovations and Henry Ford Innovations leadership., • Maintain accurate company records, financial data, and project tracking., • Prepare PowerPoint summaries for stakeholder presentations., • Participate in monthly Venture Programming meetings and leadership check-ins., • Excellent at cultivating strong relationships and building stakeholder engagement., • Strong understanding of startup development, accelerator programming, and early-stage venture ecosystems., • Familiarity with healthcare innovation, clinical environments, and regulated industry dynamics., • Knowledge of technology commercialization pathways, including market assessment, IP considerations, and translational research funding., • Awareness of regional and national healthcare innovation stakeholders, including entrepreneur support organizations, health systems, and research institutions., • Proficiency with CRM systems, project management platforms, and standard business tools (Microsoft Office, especially PowerPoint and Excel)., • Highly organized, takes initiative, and manages projects independently., • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and professionally to diverse audiences., • Strong ability to manage concurrent projects, maintain accurate records, and ensure timely follow-through on action items and stakeholder commitments., • Skilled at generating KPI reports and preparing concise summaries for leadership and external partners., • Adept at identifying bottlenecks, proposing improvements, and implementing solutions that enhance efficiency, transparency, and founder experience., • Passionate about healthcare innovation and related technological advancements. Requirements:, • Minimum of a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience and education., • Demonstrated experience in venture development, accelerator programming, innovation management, healthcare innovation, or related startup-support roles., • Experience in creating a strategic partnership and alliance amongst key stakeholders., • Ability to be present on-site in Detroit-area innovation spaces to engage directly with founders and partners., • Prior exposure to technology commercialization, translational research, or early-stage investment processes is strongly preferred.