PantherlabWorks Manager

Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence - Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh - (26004310)

PantherlabWorks, the commercialization center of the Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence (IEE) at the University of Pittsburgh, assists startups and business owners in the Pittsburgh region by providing product development-based consulting, educational workshops, and networking opportunities.

The IEE is seeking a Manager for PantherlabWorks (PLW). The PLW Manager leads the center's product-commercialization consulting program, advising startups and established businesses across the Pittsburgh region as they bring new products, services, and technologies to market. In addition to executing direct client work, the Manager designs and delivers educational programming and builds relationships across the regional innovation and economic development ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide expert consulting to businesses across PLW's service areas—including product development, go-to-market and commercialization strategy, market research, brand and marketing strategy, and financial advising—while leading client intake, scoping, and planning toward launch and growth.

• Design and execute PLW educational programming and events; recruit and coordinate instructors, guest speakers, and mentors, and lead instruction on core entrepreneurship topics such as lean startup methodology, customer discovery, and capital readiness.

• Conduct market research to inform advising strategies and connect clients with funding resources and opportunities (e.g., SBIR/STTR, VCs).

• Represent PLW at networking and outreach events to build partnerships and sponsorships, monitor and report program outcomes and impact, and maintain up-to-date knowledge of resources supporting Southwestern PA startups.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, science, or related filed, plus three or more years of relevant experience in product management, commercialization, a startup or accelerator environment, entrepreneurial support, economic development, or small business consulting.
• Proactive and highly organized, with the ability to anticipate client needs, manage multiple priorities and deadlines, and deliver exceptional customer service in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with product management, technology companies, manufacturing, and business strategy, and operations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, along with familiarity with economic-development organizations, small-business funding, SBIR/STTR and government contracting, and SBA/SBDC compliance.

Job Summary

Manages the Pantherlabworks (PLW) program and delivers a direct business consulting program with innovative entrepreneurs and student-owned businesses. Supervises projects' internal and external consulting through completion, works with executive leadership on grant and contract deliverables and strategic growth support, and increases the profile of PLW with outside constituents, networking events, and organizations. Performs budgetary functions and funding searches and seeks partnership opportunities.

Essential Functions

Core Competencies:

• Founder-first mindset: anticipates client needs, problem solves, and delivers exceptional, responsive service.
• Resourceful and adaptable: comfortable navigating ambiguity and a wide range of industries and client stages; a strategic thinker with the ability to balance organizational vision, yearly goals, and day-to-day workflows.
• Collaborative: Fosters a positive, productive, and supportive team environment that empowers students and team members to excel.
• Relationship builder: Excellent relationship builder, establishes trust and credibility with clients, partners, mentors, sponsors, and community leaders.
• Data-oriented: Synthesizes market, competitive, and financial information into clear, actionable goals.

Physical Effort

The job is mostly sedentary but may require travel to attend events and meetings both on and off campus.

Assignment Category: Full-time regular

Job Classification: Staff.Pantherlabworks Manager

Job Family: Research

Job Sub Family: Laboratory

Campus: Pittsburgh

Minimum Education Level Required: Bachelor's Degree

Minimum Years of Experience Required: 3

Will this position accept substitution in lieu of education or experience: Combination of education and relevant experience will be considered in lieu of education and/ or experience requirement.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.

Work Arrangement: Hybrid: Combination of On-Campus and Remote work as determined by the department.

Hiring Range: TBD Based Upon Qualifications

Relocation_Offered: No

Visa Sponsorship Provided: No

Background Check: For position finalists, employment with the University will require successful completion of a background check

Child Protection Clearances: The following PA Act 153 clearances and background checks are required prior to commencement of employment and as a condition of continued employment: PA State Police Criminal Record Check, FBI Criminal Record Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance.

Required Documents: Resume

Optional Documents: Cover Letter