Manager, MacEwan Ventures

at  Macewan University

ABOUT US

MacEwan University is where caring faculty help people connect their passions to their future paths. Located in the heart of Edmonton’s diverse and dynamic downtown community, and on the traditional lands of Treaty 6 First Nations and homelands of the Métis people, MacEwan is known for exceptional undergraduate learning. With its dedication to teaching excellence, informed by scholarly research, innovation, and creative activity, MacEwan provides an exceptional collaborative and supportive learning environment with a commitment to human rights, environmental sustainability, and opportunities for community engagement. We are committed to creating an equitable, diverse, inclusive, and welcoming community for all peoples, cultures, and identities.
Our comprehensive undergraduate university offers 59 programs to more than 18,000 full- and part-time students in business, communications, community and human services, design, fine and performing arts, health, humanities, natural science, nursing, public safety, and social science. Through a wide array of experiential learning opportunities, and strategic relationships in the community, we partner with others to produce graduates of stature. Along with a robust grounding in their chosen disciplines, MacEwan students are given durable life skills that prepare them to take on the world.

OPPORTUNITY

MacEwan University is seeking a Manager, MacEwan Ventures for a 0.6 FTE, part-time continuing opportunity with the School of Business. Reporting to the Dean, you will be responsible for managing MacEwan Ventures, which provides a foundation to students, alumni, and community members on how to start a business. You will be responsible for developing and overseeing the delivery of a workshop series, marketing the initiative to stakeholders, planning and hosting various events, competitions, and showcases, providing expert coaching and advice, sourcing supports (financial and business connections) for start-ups, and assisting in obtaining external grants/funding.

Key responsibilities include:

• Designing the MacEwan Ventures program to meet objectives and enhance the support structure for participants to develop ideas into real-world businesses;
• Developing, revising, updating and delivering an 8-week series of workshops that teach the skills needed to successfully run a small business or to be an entrepreneur;
• Creating a framework for assessing the viability of participants’ business ideas and potential funding opportunities by developing surveys, databases and market testing methods;
• Managing staffing resources through effective recruitment, selection, training, coaching, leadership, supervision, professional development, and evaluation of staff while also promoting and contributing to a positive and inclusive team culture;
• Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to increase engagement and generate program growth, by creating opportunities for community members from equity-deserving groups to develop their businesses;
• Testing business ideas that participants create and providing feedback on how they can further refine their ideas;
• Mentoring and coaching aspiring entrepreneurs by providing real-world advice via office hours and appointments;
• Guiding participants in identifying opportunities for obtaining financial support for start-ups, business contacts, partnerships, and clients in order to grow start-up’s reach;
• Planning and managing showcase competitions to help grow creative confidence in MacEwan students, alumni, and community participants; and
• Promoting entrepreneurship events and using internal communications and marketing services to implement communication plans, informational resources, and promotional materials.

SKILLS

You will have:

• Strategic thinking and leadership skills;
• Critical thinking skills and sound judgement;
• Financial budgeting knowledge and skills;
• Strong communication skills, including with public speaking;
• The ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders;
• Creative thinking skills; and
• The ability to work independently.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A minimum of a post-secondary diploma in a related field.
• A minimum of 5 years of related experience starting businesses and mentoring others.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Experience in budgeting, assessing market conditions, evaluating business proposals, and managing businesses.
• Experience in community relations and building partnerships.
• Experience in a post-secondary environment, working with- and/or providing guidance to students is considered an asset.

• Designing the MacEwan Ventures program to meet objectives and enhance the support structure for participants to develop ideas into real-world businesses;
• Developing, revising, updating and delivering an 8-week series of workshops that teach the skills needed to successfully run a small business or to be an entrepreneur;
• Creating a framework for assessing the viability of participants’ business ideas and potential funding opportunities by developing surveys, databases and market testing methods;
• Managing staffing resources through effective recruitment, selection, training, coaching, leadership, supervision, professional development, and evaluation of staff while also promoting and contributing to a positive and inclusive team culture;
• Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to increase engagement and generate program growth, by creating opportunities for community members from equity-deserving groups to develop their businesses;
• Testing business ideas that participants create and providing feedback on how they can further refine their ideas;
• Mentoring and coaching aspiring entrepreneurs by providing real-world advice via office hours and appointments;
• Guiding participants in identifying opportunities for obtaining financial support for start-ups, business contacts, partnerships, and clients in order to grow start-up’s reach;
• Planning and managing showcase competitions to help grow creative confidence in MacEwan students, alumni, and community participants; and
• Promoting entrepreneurship events and using internal communications and marketing services to implement communication plans, informational resources, and promotional materials