Program Manager, Tech-Based

Description

About the Organization

TechTown is Wayne State’s entrepreneurship hub. We empower Detroit-based startups and local businesses by providing resources, collaborative workspace and education for entrepreneurs that will further accelerate inclusive economic development across Detroit.

About the Opportunity

TechTown’s Technology-Based Programs team supports entrepreneurs developing innovative tech startups by connecting them with education, mentorship, strategic partnerships, capital pathways and other resources. The Program Manager, Technology- Based Programs will support the planning, implementation, administration and continuous improvement of initiatives and programs designed to advance founder success and inclusive economic development.

A key area of responsibility will be the Mobility Accelerator Innovation Network, or MAIN, TechTown’s collaborative initiative within the Global Epicenter of Mobility. Working across internal departments and with external partners, the Program Manager will coordinate program delivery, data systems, grant reporting, compliance requirements and operational processes. This position is ideal for someone who can connect detailed program administration with the larger goal of building stronger, more accessible pathways for technology entrepreneurs.

The Impact You Will Make:

The Program Manager will help ensure that TechTown’s technology-based programs are delivered consistently, efficiently and in alignment with organizational priorities, partnership commitments and funder expectations. This individual will help translate program strategies, scopes of work and grant requirements into organized work plans, reliable systems, accurate reports and clearly defined next steps.

Through strong project management, data stewardship and cross-functional coordination, the Program Manager will help TechTown understand who its programs are serving, how participants are progressing, where gaps or risks exist and how services can be strengthened. The Program Manager will also foster collaboration among staff, partners, vendors and founders so that resources are coordinated, commitments are fulfilled and entrepreneurs can more easily navigate the support available to them.

Success in this role will be reflected not only in the timely completion of activities and reporting requirements, but also in stronger internal systems, more accurate and meaningful program data, improved partner coordination and better experiences and outcomes for the entrepreneurs TechTown serves.

The ways in which that will be accomplished are by:

• •Manage the day-to-day planning, implementation and continuous improvement of technology-based entrepreneurship programs and strategic initiatives, including the Mobility Accelerator Innovation Network.
• •Lead the collection, maintenance, validation and reconciliation of participant, partner, program and outcome data across TechTown’s CRM, grant reporting systems and internal tracking tools.
• •Coordinate the preparation and submission of accurate, timely and complete grant reports, including gathering required information and supporting documentation from internal teams, Finance, contractors and external partners.
• •Maintain organized, compliance-ready program and grant records and monitor adherence to applicable funder requirements, organizational policies, approved scopes of work and reporting deadlines.
• •Develop dashboards, reports and other tools to monitor key performance indicators, program milestones, founder engagement, referrals, services delivered and participant outcomes.
• •Analyze program and portfolio data to identify trends, assess progress, flag risks or gaps, recommend course corrections and communicate the impact of TechTown’s work.
• •Translate program strategies, grant commitments, scopes of work and organizational priorities into detailed work plans, timelines, deliverables and accountability systems.
• •Maintain visibility into founder and startup pipelines, ensuring that participant status, referrals, follow-up activities, next steps and program transitions are clearly documented and actively managed.
• •Coordinate with TechTown teams and external partners to strengthen shared intake, assessment, referral, service-delivery and participant-tracking processes.
• •Plan and support partner meetings, program activities, workshops, events and other convenings, ensuring clear agendas, decisions, responsibilities and follow-up.
• •Support program vendors, contractors and consultants by coordinating scopes of work, deliverables, timelines, documentation and performance in alignment with program and grant requirements.
• •Partner with TechTown’s Finance team to monitor program budgets, expenditures, commitments and supporting documentation and to help ensure that financial activity aligns with approved program plans.
• •Develop and maintain standard operating procedures, templates, reporting calendars and other tools that improve program consistency, efficiency, data quality and institutional knowledge.
• •Build productive relationships within the entrepreneurial ecosystem, represent TechTown at relevant events and cultivate connections that support participant recruitment, referrals and founder success.
• •Perform other responsibilities that support the effective delivery and administration of TechTown’s technology-based programs.

Requirements

• What You Will Bring to the Table:
• The ideal candidate is a highly organized, systems-minded program manager who is equally comfortable working with people, processes and data. They bring sound judgment, curiosity and a strong commitment to accuracy and follow-through. They understand that data management, grant reporting and compliance are integral to effective program delivery, organizational learning and maintaining the trust of funders, partners and the communities TechTown serves.

This individual can move fluidly between big-picture planning and detailed execution - facilitating a program meeting, reviewing a data set, monitoring a grant deadline, improving a workflow or preparing a funder report. They communicate clearly, identify and address potential challenges proactively, adapt to changing priorities and build productive relationships with colleagues, entrepreneurs, contractors, and community partners.

The successful candidate will thrive in a collaborative, mission-driven and evolving environment. They will bring a commitment to inclusive economic development and approach their work with professionalism, integrity, responsiveness and an ongoing desire to improve how programs are managed and how impact is measured.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• •Bachelor’s degree in business administration, nonprofit management, public administration, data analytics, economic development or a related field, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and professional experience.
• •At least three years of progressively responsible experience in program management, project management, grant administration, nonprofit operations, economic development or a related area.
• •Demonstrated experience managing grant-funded programs, coordinating reporting requirements or maintaining documentation for funder, contractual or regulatory compliance.
• •Strong data-management skills, including the ability to collect, organize, validate, reconcile, analyze and clearly present information from multiple sources.
• •Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets and experience using CRM, project-management, database or reporting platforms. Ability to quickly learn and effectively use new technology systems is required.
• •Ability to interpret reporting guidance, performance measures and other complex requirements and translate them into actionable work plans and internal processes.
• •Excellent project-management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple programs, partners, deliverables and deadlines simultaneously.
• •Exceptional attention to de