The Research Park at the University of Illinois is a leading innovation hub for technology commercialization with a unique environment that cultivates startups and increases capabilities for established companies. The mixed-use composition promotes creative collisions and interdisciplinary collaborations, strengthening the bridge between campus and community. Located on campus, Research Park has more than 120 companies and growing, employing over 2,100 people in high-technology careers. At any given time more than 800 student interns are gaining valuable experiential learning and work experience while making real contributions to internal corporate R&D and product development programs.

About the Role

Job Description

The Data Management and Engagement Coordinator role is for the EnterpriseWorks business startup incubator and the University of Illinois Research Park (RP/EW). The position supports the ongoing efforts to organize performance metrics, execute economic development projects, and support event management. The role provides data and reporting functions that organize key performance metrics, client information, and economic indicators. This position leads economic development research through collection and analysis of data from startup companies, incubator programs, and technology commercialization activities. This position will support the reporting and storytelling regarding data, in a variety of platforms including visualizations and written reports. The position will achieve these results through strong quantitative analysis, research skills, marketing programs, and communication. This role curates and documents the knowledge of the Research Park operations. This Coordinator will be responsible for providing program administration support for events and activities for the University of Illinois Research Park and EnterpriseWorks. Corporate engagement and entrepreneurial programming leverages university assets to build regional economic ecosystems that support innovation and high-growth entrepreneurship, resiliency, and inclusiveness.

Duties & Responsibilities

• DATA MANAGEMENT – 55%Act as primary Salesforce administrator and the primary resource/asset for RP/EW users. Lead collection, aggregation, and secure storage of economic development and performance information. This data includes information from technology commercialization, incubation, entrepreneurship, and research park activities as well as metrics about EnterpriseWorks/Research Park performance, client employee data, company milestones, and external funding. Maintain, standardize, and update databases and tools utilized by the incubator/Research Park, this includes use of Salesforce as a customer relationship management (CRM) system, UI Webtools for event tracking, Microsoft Excel, and other reporting tools. Participate in and support the data management of all internally and externally sourced data. Lead the development of advanced survey instruments and execution to assure accuracy of data collection. Use data for storytelling and showcasing the outcomes from entrepreneurship programs, startup successes, corporate innovation, and technology community engagement. Support the transformation of data into information by developing and designing visualizations and other reporting that generates audience engagement and understanding of outcomes.

• ENGAGEMENT – 45%Provide support for corporate engagement through events execution & programming targeting full-time professionals and interns working at corporate sites within Research Park. Provide support for entrepreneurial programming through events execution targeting startup companies located within the EnterpriseWorks tech incubator. Produce event analytics for participation by employee type, functional benefits to mission. Prepare budget planning for engagement programs. Use effective communication skills and ensure privacy/confidentiality in the process of collaborating with, supporting, advising and educating customers and team members when handling sensitive data. Use creative problem solving and strategic thinking to prevent and solve problems, seeking help from others as appropriate. Creates new solutions and data management tools to help improve performance of operations and improve knowledge exchange. Serve as a liaison with other University units, departments, and various internal/external partners regarding data and record management. Supervise student staff on related projects. Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, data analytics, or related field.
• Demonstrated event management experience, including large program planning
• Demonstrated technical skills in database and cloud-based systems with a thorough understanding of the type of data and the relational database a CRM uses to effectively query and report on the data.
• Demonstrated experience with business/client interactions: corporate, startup, client management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Salesforce Administration Certification.
• Salesforce Business Analyst Certification.
• Experience with data visualization tools such as Tableau or Power BI.
• Project management skills including an ability to reasonably estimate the time for project tasks and then meet deadlines set by those estimates.
• Excellent writing and communications skills, including storytelling with data.
• Detail-oriented with strong multi-tasking and prioritization skills.
• Event planning experience
• Proficiency with University of Illinois platforms such as Webtools and ChromeRiver
• Experience working with research park, innovation district, and/or business incubator
• Strong interpersonal/communication skills and customer service orientation.
• Desire to work in an exciting “everyone helps” team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with broad guidance.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Observe standards of professional conduct and strive for excellence including, but not limited to:
• Accepting accountability and ownership of actions.
• Assuring essential and strong organizational skills.
• Basic computer skills (MS Word, Excel) and knowledge of data visualization approaches (e.g., Origin).
• Adaptability in accepting new challenges and responsibilities
• Focusing on attention to detail.
• Providing professional, quality, value added communications skills.
• Working collaboratively with employees and faculty to enhance research goals.
• Evidence of consistent use of good judgment, discretion, and tactful communication.
• Energy and enthusiasm for expressing the value of diverse cultures, fostering empathy, and improving organizations in the areas of access and representation.
• Knowledge and experience with office software and ability to learn custom systems.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities without direct supervision.
• Excellent written communications skills.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 5002 – Program Coordinator position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after closing date. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. The previously determined salary range for this position was $55,000 to $60,000.

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on September 20, 2024. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. Qualified candidates must upload: 1) a cover letter which details qualifications noted above; 2) resume or CV; and 3) the names and contact information for three professional references. All requested information must be submitted for your application to be considered. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.  For further information, please contact Erica Hanson, OVCRI Human Resources, elhanson@illinois.edu.

For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.