Hub Cohort Manager

Role Overview

• Lead cross-institutional onboarding and collaboration, guiding Hub Partner Institutions in launching, supporting recruitment, and scaling regional training programs; including onboard and train managers, recruit instructors, and launch their first regional I-Corps program.
• Lead coordination with Hub Partner institutions by managing relationships and activities with and between the Partner Coordinators/Managers/Directors.
• Assist in the identification and recruitment of strategic internal
• and external-Hub partners and the coordination of future collaborations that involve internal
• and/or external-Hub organizations, community partners, and mentors.
• Build and share Mid-South Hub regional program templates and learning management system with the content provided.
• Manage facilitation of instructional workshops and National/Regional cohort training logistics including Mid-South Train-the-Trainer sessions, Summit plenary sessions, and ad-hoc survey training/Q&A sessions.
• Coordinate and manage the design, production, and co-promotion of promotional materials on an as-needed basis to create awareness about specific workshops, programs, and events and motivate participation.
• Work with Hub Leadership, Hub Partners, and other Hub external partners to develop articles, blog posts, etc. to promote the Mid-South Hub and the creative activities its participants and colleagues undertake.
• Oversee the maintenance of Hub Website and maintain updated Hub-wide regional program dates and application links with assistance of Hub Communications team.
• Oversee Hub-wide data collection and reporting to VW with the assistance of Hub Data Analyst.
• Update Hub-wide survey questions when needs are identified with the assistance of Hub Data Analyst.
• Attend NSF National Innovation Network (NIN) I-Corps convenings and build relationships with the other Hubs.
• Support Regional instructors, if needed, for any of Mid-South I-Corps Hub and Vanderbilt Innovation Corps supported programs or coursework.
• Lead coordination and serve as Teaching Assistant for VU certified Regional I-Corps Programs including Sullivan Family Ideator, Builder, Immersive Cohorts, and coursework compatible I-Corps offerings.
• Complete Regional I-Corps Training and serve as an Instructor for Ideator and Builder offered by Vanderbilt Innovation Corps.
• Evaluate and update programming strategically with Hub Lead Instructor, Hub Lead Regional Instructor, or any other regional lead instructors of particular Hub Partner cohorts as needed including learning management system updates, content reorganization, class deliverables, and instructor responsibilities.
• Project a welcoming attitude that ensures participants feel invited and supported as they engage in Mid-South Hub programming.
• Complete National I-Corps Teaching Assistant Training and serve as Mid-South Hub National I-Corps Teaching Assistant.
• Serve as the primary point-of-contact for all microgrant-related activities across the Hub.
• Manage the end-to-end processing of all microgrant payments, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with institutional and program requirements.
• Review participant-submitted budgets to ensure alignment with funding criteria and grant guidelines prior to approval.
• Lead informational webinars for microgrant awardees to provide clear guidance on spending rules, documentation requirements, and submission procedures.
• Evaluate all microgrant-related purchases to confirm they meet NSF grant regulations and program-specific policies, addressing discrepancies as needed and guiding teams through corrections.
• Manage all reimbursement processes for the Mid-South I-Corps Hub, ensuring timely submission and processing of requests.
• Review reimbursement documentation to verify compliance with NSF grant guidelines and Vanderbilt University policies.
• Provide clear reimbursement instructions and guidance to participants, ensuring accurate and complete submissions.
• Serve as the PO Invoice Delegate Approver in Oracle for NSF I-Corps Hub subaward invoices, ensuring accurate and timely processing.
• Coordinate and process payments for Hub instructors and advisors, maintaining compliance with all financial and institutional policies.
• Hold Vanderbilt OneCard purchasing authority to support Hub-related transactions and operational needs.
• Manage all day-to-day cohort-specific operations of the Hub as directed by the Hub Director.
• Work alongside the Director of the Mid-South I-Corps Hub and Vanderbilt Innovation Corps and the unit Administration and/or Grant Officer(s)/Manager(s) to ensure the work remains within budget and that funds are being spent responsibly.
• Participate in regular team meetings, strategic planning sessions, and maintain records of internal team meetings and progress and organize information and data as directed for reporting.
• Collaborate and provide assistance to other team members to turn strategic priorities into meaningful programming.
• Ensure that all activities in these areas are aligned with the mission of both the Mid-South Hub and the Vanderbilt Innovation Corps at Vanderbilt University.
• This position supervises a team of professional staff members and student interns as assigned, by providing clear performance expectations and regular feedback. This position reports administratively and functionally to the Director of the Mid-South I-Corps Hub.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education is required. A Master’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education is strongly preferred.
• Experience as an entrepreneur and/or assisting in entrepreneurship programs or centers is strongly preferred.
• A high attention to detail is required.
• Familiarity with and experience in the nonprofit, social sector, academia, or entrepreneurial fields strongly preferred.
• Experience facilitating workshops and events is strongly preferred.
• Experience with systems thinking and/or leading innovation or entrepreneurial programming strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with I-Corps and Tech Transfer at institutions of higher education.
• Demonstrated interest in and commitment to service and the common good.
• Experience successfully supporting partnerships and collaborations with minimal oversight.
• Extremely well organized with excellent time management skills and the ability to successfully handle multiple programs at once.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to interact fluidly with the many different individuals and organizations that will contact and work with the I-Corps program.
• Experience navigating university policies and procedures.
• Proficient in office software tools (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Airtable), and other software tools for communication, analysis, and office operations.
• Experience with design thinking, business proposal and entrepreneurship case studies.
• Flexible with job expectations and schedule in an office that is on the cutting edge of innovation.
• Willing to jump in wherever needed.
• Positive, energetic, “can-do,” proactive entrepreneurial attitude with a passion for innovation and creativity.

Tech Stack

• Oracle

Benefits

• Full-time, on-site position
• Work 40 hours per week
• Available for the term life of the grant, which expires in December 2027, with option of renewal.