Manager, Black Founders Network

**Date Posted**:09/23/2024
**Req ID**:39822
**Faculty/Division**: VP - Research
**Department**: University of Toronto Entrepreneurship
**Campus**: St. George (Downtown Toronto)

**Description**:
**About Us**:
UTE is a central voice for entrepreneurship across U of T’s three campuses and represents a powerful network of 12+ accelerators. We are here to support, develop and celebrate our best and brightest founders and their startups through a broad range of resources, network access and entrepreneurship activities. The UTE ecosystem provides mentorship, expertise, resources, and strategic connections to give entrepreneurs at all stages of their journey the tools they need to effectively start, build and scale their businesses. All while striving to create an environment that is inclusive and representative of the diverse and talented innovators and entrepreneurs around us.

**Your Opportunity**:
Reporting to the Director, U of T Entrepreneurship (UTE), the Manager provides leadership and managerial oversight to the program operations and staff supporting the Black Founders Network (BFN) within the U of T Entrepreneurship team. The Manager will be at the forefront of the BFN and working closely with the Director, UTE will play a key role in planning, design, development, and delivery of all aspects of the Black Founders Network initiative.

This position provides leadership and guidance with respect to a diverse and complex range of activities spanning administrative, human resources, and program functions, as they relate to the Black Founders Network. The Manager will supervise a team charged with implementation of the BFN, an initiative with several unique programs designed to provide access to the networks, resources and inspiration required to build, fund and scale impactful startups. By recognizing systemic barriers, celebrating Black excellence and providing allyship, mentorship and sponsorship for Black founders, BFN is building a thriving community of Black entrepreneurs from every industry and at every stage.

Working with others in VPRI and across the tri-campus community, the Manager actively contributes to senior level decisions and will be required to work in close collaboration with academic leaders, faculty, staff, and students from across relevant U of T faculties/divisions. The Manager will also work closely with external partners including mission-aligned corporate, government and NFP stakeholders. Working closely with the Director, UTE and the Division of University Advancement, the Manager will steward existing and secure new partnerships that provide the financial and in-kind commitments to ensure the long-term sustainability of the BFN.

The Manager will direct staff’s daily work and operations and will be an essential resource by contributing to the development of ongoing strategic administrative priorities, processes, and facilitating the delivery of program activities, including support to activate the new innovation space in the Schwartz Reisman Innovation campus. The Manager will oversee staff management, and professional development of staff and serve as a leader/mentor, for the developmental, human resource and workflow/workload issues including dispute resolution and compliance with collective agreements.

**Qualifications Required**:

- **(Minimum)**_

**EDUCATION**:

- Master’s degree in a related field or equivalent acceptable combination of education and experience.

**EXPERIENCE**:

- A minimum of five (5) years of senior administrative experience, including significant management experience, preferably in a unionized environment.
- Experience working in an educational and/or entrepreneurial setting is highly preferred.
- Experience with program design, delivery and administration.
- Experience in managing program deliverables.
- Demonstrated project management experience, including developing strategies and implementing initiatives and establishing best practices.
- Experience building community by developing community engagement strategies is preferred.
- Experience with brand building and developing marketing and communication strategies.
- A well-developed financial acumen, including financial analysis and budgeting.
- Significant experience with developing key program materials including program plans and reports.
- Lived experiences and active involvement working with Black and other under-represented communities on initiatives or programming that advance the relevant community. Knowledge and experience of the issues facing the Black community in the sphere of entrepreneurship is preferred.

**SKILLS**:

- Strong computer skills with high level of proficiency in MS Word and PowerPoint; intermediate proficiency in Excel; high level of technical ability and experience working with survey tools and content management systems.
- Skilled at developing tools and templates that facilitate stakeholder engagement, program efficiencies, monitoring, and evaluation.

**OTHER