Venture Associate

Overview:
**Term: 2 Years**

Within Velocity Incubator, the Venture Associate is responsible for the investigation, identification, implementation, management, and monitoring of the data and information that forms the evidence base for the initiatives related to the support of founder success at the incubator. The Venture Associate plays a critical role in obtaining the information and data that underlie and inform the evidence-based planning of start-up strategies, as well as supporting the incubator in the development of collaborations to further support start up growth. The information gathered from research and evaluation will help the Venture Associate inform decision making, strategic planning, messaging and budget related planning that improves services and programs at Velocity Incubator.

**Responsibilities**:
Develops and implements research and evaluation plans that support undergraduate and graduate student success strategies
- Assists senior management in the development of an appropriate and timely process and outcome evaluation plans, data gathering methods, analysis and use of the results to support continuous program improvements
- Collaborates with key team members to streamline and onboard new ventures every quarter in the sectors of health, deep tech and software
- Determines and recommends any specific, measurable, actionable and realistic metrics that can be employed as indicators of success of Velocity’s strategic plans.
- Manages, and conducts ongoing, timely evaluation to determine the effectiveness of Velocity strategies
- Prepares and delivers any required in-person presentations of research results
- Manages all aspects of Velocity’s central venture database
- Analyzes current data collection systems and evaluation processes to identify trends and opportunities for streamlining
- Investigates new data analysis tools, systems and practices and makes recommendations for enhancing Velocity processes
- Consult with Office of Research, Institutional Analysis and Planning, Waterloo Ventures and other departments on the design, implementation, testing and operation of any computer systems required for the collection, storage, reporting and analysis of data and trends related to student wellness.

Understands and applies current, relevant research methods and trends, audience and institutional knowledge
- Maintains a clear understanding of the characteristics of current founders including their preferences with respect to completing surveys, questionnaires, and other research instruments, so that s/he can translate this information into effective tactics for enhancing strategies
- Researching tools that support founders in executing their short term goals.

Collaborates, advises and consults
- Leads performance reporting for external funders of Velocity
- Works closely with the entire Velocity team to ensure the cohesiveness, consistency and integration of portfolio goals and plans with current strategies and messaging
- Supports and advises the Velocity leadership team with respect to any new or evolving research strategies, opportunities, and results as well as any analyses that may assist with decisions about priorities and long-range planning
- Works closely with Velocity team to determine data analysis needs with respect to Velocity or other university database and then liaises with the appropriate partners to obtain data
- Shares research analysis, detailed reports and clear explanations with all interested and affected stakeholders and collaborators
- Consults with and advises Velocity team members with respect to design, administration and analysis of program evaluations, the results of which inform the development evaluation and each area’s strategic plans

Other
- Participates in Velocity events and in the administration of Velocity-wide responsibilities, and other such general and specific duties as may from time to time be determined

Qualifications:

- Research-based or other relevant masters or post-graduate degree with solid knowledge of social science research methods, both quantitative and qualitative; ability to use descriptive and inferential statistics to analyse data; and knowledge of various methodologies to gather data (surveys, interviews, focus groups, community forum, literature reviews, environmental scans; situational analysis, needs assessment, etc.)
- At least 3 years of experience in a data analysis and/or research role.
- Knowledge of project management and related processes
- Strong organizational skills coupled with the ability to handle multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and excel in a fast-paced environment characterized by changing priorities
- Strong understanding of the assessment/evaluation process
- Excellent communication skills: ability to converse articulately with university administrators and other campus stakeholders.
- Data management, manipulation, interpretation and analysis skills
- Expertise in assessment/evaluation instrument design