Job Summary

The Innovation & Venture Programs Specialist at the University of Calgary is a high-impact role designed to accelerate the city’s burgeoning tech and startup ecosystem. Operating as a “Venture Catalyst,” you will be responsible for the end-to-end management of programs that turn academic research into viable business ventures. This role requires the “wit” to mentor early-stage founders and the “grit” to manage complex, interdisciplinary projects across a diverse campus community.

Job Details

Employer: University of Calgary (likely within the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking or a specific Faculty).
Location: Calgary, AB (Main Campus).
Position Type: Full-time.
Core Function: Program Management & Venture Support.

Key Responsibilities: The Venture Lifecycle

You will serve as the primary architect for programs that bridge the gap between “Big Ideas” and “Market Reality.”

Program Lifecycle Management: Design, implement, and iterate on innovation programs (e.g., accelerators, pitch competitions, and venture fellowships).
Entrepreneurial Mentorship: Provide strategic guidance to student and faculty entrepreneurs, helping them navigate business modeling, product-market fit, and investor readiness.
Community Engagement: Lead activities that foster a “culture of innovation” on campus, including workshops, networking events, and speaker series.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Act as a liaison between different faculties (e.g., Engineering, Medicine, Business) to spark cross-pollination of ideas.
Stakeholder Relations: Build and maintain partnerships with the Calgary tech ecosystem, including venture capitalists, industry leaders, and government agencies.

Candidate Profile & Qualifications

The “Entrepreneurial Architect”: A degree in Business (MBA preferred) or a related field with significant experience in program management.
Innovation Wit: A deep understanding of the lean startup methodology, design thinking, and the specific challenges of university-based tech transfer.
Operational Grit: Proven ability to manage multiple high-stakes projects simultaneously while maintaining meticulous attention to detail.
Communication Mastery: Exceptional interpersonal skills to inspire diverse audiences—from first-year students to seasoned executive donors.

Technical Insights: The Innovation Ecosystem

In a university setting, venture programs must balance academic freedom with commercial viability.

Technology Readiness Levels (TRL): You will use the TRL scale to assess the maturity of research projects and determine which programs (e.g., “Discovery” vs. “Launch”) best suit their needs.
The Business Model Canvas: You will frequently use this framework to help founders map out their value propositions, customer segments, and revenue streams.
Incubator vs. Accelerator: You will manage the distinction between Incubators (focused on long-term support and ideation) and Accelerators (focused on rapid growth and investment prep).

Diversity and Statistics at UCalgary

The University of Calgary is Canada’s leader in startup creation, and it prioritizes an inclusive approach to entrepreneurship.

Inclusive Innovation: UCalgary recognizes that diverse founding teams are more successful. The university actively removes barriers for women, Indigenous peoples, and racialized minorities to participate in venture programs.
Indigenous Strategy (ii’ taa’poh’to’p): With a community of 50,000 Indigenous people in Calgary, the university integrates Indigenous ways of knowing into entrepreneurial thinking, focusing on sustainability and community-centered business models.
Economic Impact: UCalgary’s innovation ecosystem contributes billions to the Alberta economy. As a Specialist, you are a direct contributor to this economic diversification.
Campus Scale: Supporting a community of 36,000 students, your work has a massive “Top of Funnel” reach for identifying the next generation of Canadian innovators.

Job Description

Do you believe that the next world-changing company is currently a research paper sitting on a professor’s desk? The University of Calgary is seeking an Innovation & Venture Programs Specialist. We aren’t just “running events”; we are the engine room of Canada’s most entrepreneurial university. If you have the “grit” to build a startup accelerator from the ground up and the “wit” to spot the “diamond in the rough” research project, you belong here.

In this role, you are a “Possibility Engineer.” You understand that the journey from the lab to the market is filled with obstacles. Your goal is to provide “Excellence in Program Delivery,” ensuring that every UCalgary innovator has the tools they need to succeed. We look for “Integrity-first” professionals who are collaborative, strategic, and ready to help Calgary lead the global tech conversation.

Joining UCalgary means joining a prestigious institution in the heart of Canada’s most enterprising city. We offer a high-energy environment where your business acumen and project management skills will shape the future of Canadian venture creation. If you are a program leader with a commitment to “Innovation and Inclusive Growth,” we invite you to apply and help us start something today.

University of Calgary: Daring to Imagine “Ahead of Tomorrow”

The University of Calgary (UCalgary) is defined by a culture of entrepreneurial spirit, audacity, and “can-do” Western energy. As one of Canada’s top five research universities, its mission—codified in the “Ahead of Tomorrow” strategic plan—is to tackle “wicked” societal challenges through transdisciplinary innovation. The workplace culture is rooted in collegiality and respect, emphasizing that “curiosity-driven investigation” thrives best in an inclusive environment. UCalgary moves with the speed of a startup but the responsibility of a public institution, fostering a “Living Lab” ecosystem where students and faculty are encouraged to be “pioneers at heart.”

The UCalgary footprint is a massive, multi-campus network that mirrors the diversity of the Alberta landscape:

Main Campus (NW Calgary): Spanning over 200 hectares, this is the university’s vibrant heart. It features the Taylor Family Digital Library, one of North America’s most technology-rich hubs, and the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning, a pioneer in pedagogical research.
The Olympic Oval: A legacy of the 1988 Winter Games, this iconic facility is known for having the “Fastest Ice on Earth” and serves as a premier high-performance training center for athletes globally.
Foothills Campus: Located south of the main site, this is the epicenter of health innovation, home to the Cumming School of Medicine and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, adjacent to the Foothills Medical Centre.
Downtown Campus: Situated in the heart of Calgary’s business district, this campus connects the university with industry leaders, offering professional programs and hosting the Haskayne School of Business executive education.
Spy Hill Campus: Located in northwest Calgary, this campus supports specialized research and clinical training for the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.

Working or studying here means being part of a top 100 global university for entrepreneurs. Whether you are engaging with Calgary’s business core or conducting genomics research, the experience is defined by the university’s commitment to “ii’ taa’poh’to’p”—its Indigenous Strategy—walking a parallel path toward truth and reconciliation while building a sustainable future.

To apply for this job please visit careers.ucalgary.ca.