Incubation Program Lead
The University of Manitoba is a driving force of innovation, discovery and advancement. Our momentum is propelled by our campus community – UM faculty, staff and students whose determination and curiosity shape our world for the better. Our teaching, learning and work environment is uniquely strengthened and enriched by Indigenous perspectives. With two main campuses in Winnipeg, satellite campuses throughout Manitoba, and world-wide research, UM’s impact is global.
Discover outstanding employee benefits, experience world-class facilities and join a dynamic community that values reconciliation, sustainability, diversity, and inclusion. We are one of Manitoba’s Top Employers and one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers. At the University of Manitoba, what inspires you can change everything.
The opportunity:
Join IDEA START, the University of Manitoba’s hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, as our Incubation Program Lead. In this dynamic role, you’ll work directly with startups, researchers, students, alumni, and entrepreneurs to accelerate venture growth, connect founders with mentors and investors, manage funding opportunities, and deliver impactful incubation programs. If you thrive in fast-paced environments, enjoy building relationships, and want to play a pivotal role in shaping Manitoba’s innovation ecosystem, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact.
The qualifications and experience we’re looking for:
- Degree or post-graduate diploma in a related discipline is required.
- Education in business administration, commerce, project management, or a related field is preferred.
- Certification in Business Analysis, Business Operations, Lean Six Sigma, Innovation, Business Incubation etc. is an asset.
- Three years of relevant experience in program coordination, operations, or innovation-focused roles is required, with equivalent combinations of education and experience considered.
- Experience in program management and delivery to meet strategic objectives of the organization is required.
- Experience managing multi-stakeholder initiatives, including faculty, administrative units, students, and external partners is required.
- Experience in operations management including overseeing daily operations and ensuring smooth workflow, implementing policies and procedures for efficiency, identifying inefficiencies and suggesting improvements etc. is required.
- Experience in preparing and presenting operations reports and financial reports is required.
- Experience analyzing and presenting data for continuous improvement of the operations and programming is required.
- Experience leading and managing diverse teams, including work delegation, team management and coaching is required.
- Experience collaborating with marketing or communications teams to support visibility, identity, and alignment of programs or spaces is required.
- Knowledge of Indigenous communities, innovation ecosystems, or entrepreneurial support programs is an asset.
- Experience with digital tools, communication and project management platforms, virtual meetings, basic graphic design etc. considered an asset.
- Strong organizational, problem-solving, and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously, are required.
- Ability to work closely with senior leadership and having an open mind to accept constructive criticism and work in a fast-paced environment is required.
- Ability to exercise independent judgment in operational decisions and team management with a focus on achieving targeted strategic outcomes is required.
- Ability to take ownership of program goals, purpose and targeted outcomes working in partnership with leadership team and partners is required.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills are required; must be adept at building relationships across diverse stakeholders.
- Well-developed analytical and evaluation skills to support program improvement and reporting is required.
- Skill in collaborating with marketing and communications to shape the public identity, visibility, and engagement of IVIC/Step-Up and Innovation Fund is required.
- Adaptability, initiative, and a creative, entrepreneurial mindset is required.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure, and highly visible environment is required.
- Demonstrated capacity to prioritize, coordinate, and lead projects while maintaining attention to detail is required.
- A high degree of tact, diplomacy, and professionalism in interactions with senior administrators, faculty, and external partners are required.
- Commitment to fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and professional innovation environment is required.
- Proficiency with standard office software (word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, email applications) is required.
- Satisfactory work record, including satisfactory attendance and punctuality, is required.
- Comfortable learning new technologies and working across multiple platforms.
- Experience designing or administering basic evaluation tools to inform program or process improvement.
- Coordinate and administer Step-Up, I-VIC, and other incubation programs.
- Plan and deliver workshops, meetups, training sessions, networking events, and educational programming.
- Manage program schedules, participant engagement, and milestone completion.
- Lead the design, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of founder development programs, including identifying emerging entrepreneur needs, recommending strategic program enhancements, and developing new service offerings that advance IDEA START's strategic objectives.
- Develop and recommend operational frameworks, service delivery models, participant pathways, and performance standards to optimize incubator effectiveness and entrepreneur outcomes.
- Maintain incubator occupancy targets for wet lab and co-working spaces.
- Maintain program documentation, policies, records, budgets, and operational processes.
- Lead venture intake and assessment processes, including evaluating venture potential, commercialization readiness, founder capability, growth opportunities, and program fit, and making recommendations regarding participant acceptance, progression, and resource allocation.
- Facilitate application intake, screening, selection, and onboarding.
- Deliver orientation and ensure participants understand available resources and expectations.
- Serve as a venture development advisor by providing strategic guidance related to commercialization pathways, customer discovery, business model development, growth planning, and ecosystem engagement.
- Assist with business planning, customer discovery, commercialization planning, and growth strategies.
- Monitor founder engagement and identify ventures requiring additional support.
- Manage the $1 million Innovation Fund process, including evaluating funding applications, assessing venture readiness and risk, recommending funding allocations, monitoring performance against funding objectives, and advising leadership on investment-related decisions.
- Provide strategic advice to founders and leadership regarding commercialization pathways, funding strategies, market entry approaches, and venture growth opportunities.
- Track and review the funded venture outcomes and reporting requirements to determine the funding has accomplished the declared milestone.
- Support commercialization planning, market readiness, and growth execution.
- Coordinate workshops related to fundraising, pitching, IP, financial planning, and customer acquisition.
- Conduct venture readiness assessments and action planning.
- Connect founders with funding, investment, and commercialization opportunities.
- Recruit, onboard, and manage mentors, advisors, entrepreneurs-in-residence, and subject matter experts.
- Match founders with appropriate mentors and advisors.
- Develop and manage strategic relationships with investors, industry leaders, research partners, accelerators, government agencies, and entrepreneurial support organizations to expand venture development opportunities and advance IDEA START's strategic priorities.
- Represent IDEA START and the University at innovation ecosystem events, funding discussions, partnership meetings, and sector initiatives to promote entrepreneurial engagement and identify strategies.
- Coordinate investor showcases, pitch competitions, venture presentations, and networking events.
- Facilitate strategic introductions and partnership opportunities.
- Strengthen IDEA START's role within Manitoba's innovation ecosystem.
- Track venture progress and key performance indicators.
- Maintain CRM, founder databases, and reporting systems.
- Monitor commercialization, funding, revenue, employment, and customer validation milestones.
- Prepare dashboards, reports, presentations, briefing notes, and impact summaries.
- Support grant reporting, donor reporting, stakeholder communications, and partnership initiatives.
- Analyze venture, program, and ecosystem performance data to identify trends, risks, opportunities, and emerging needs, and provide recommendations to leadership regarding program strategy, resource allocation, and future growth initiatives.
- Develop business cases, briefing materials, and strategic recommendations to support decision-making related to incubator growth, funding opportunities, partnership development, and future program
- Other duties as assigned.
Why the University of Manitoba?
Along with being one of Manitoba’s top employers, we are proud to provide a collaborative and enriching work environment. In addition to a strong compensation package with a competitive salary, the University provides an exceptional workplace that includes:
- Comprehensive group benefits and pension plan.
- Competitive vacation time.
- Employee and Family Assistance Program.
- A full spectrum of professional development opportunities.
Apply today through the University of Manitoba’s recruitment site, UM Careers: https://viprecprod.ad.umanitoba.ca/DEFAULT.ASPX?REQ_ID=50678
Closing Date: November 22, 2026
Applications will only be accepted if you apply on UM Careers.
The University of Manitoba is committed to the principles of equity, diversity & inclusion and to promoting opportunities in hiring, promotion and tenure (where applicable) for systemically marginalized groups who have been excluded from full participation at the University and the larger community including Indigenous Peoples, women, racialized persons, persons with disabilities and those who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, questioning, intersex, asexual and other diverse sexual identities).
If you require accommodation supports during the recruitment process, please contact UM.Accommodation@umanitoba.ca or 204-474-7195. Please note this contact information is for accommodation reasons only.
Application materials, including letters of reference, will be handled in accordance with the protection of privacy provisions of The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (Manitoba). Please note that curriculum vitae will be provided to participating members of the search process.
