Program Officer - (Limited Term)

About The Role:
VentureWell has an exciting opportunity for a Program Officer to join our team in supporting both existing and new programs that help early-stage innovators turn ideas into impact. This benefits-eligible limited-term role is a great fit for someone who brings experience in early-stage innovation entrepreneurship programs and at least three years of related professional experience, including relationship building and networking for impact.

We're looking for someone who is energized by working with innovators and brings domain expertise in areas aligned with VentureWell's mission-such as science and technology innovation, entrepreneurship, global health, climate change and sustainability, early-stage investing, startup acceleration or incubation, or startup experience.

As part of the Venture Programs team, the Program Officer will spend a significant portion of their time supporting E-Teams and related accelerator programs. The role includes approximately 15-20% travel. While initially scoped through November of 2026, there is potential for extension or transition into a regular full-time position, dependent on program funding.

Responsibilities:

Participant Coordination (30% of time)

• Engage directly with innovators, entrepreneurs, students, and sometimes faculty advisors as we build a pipeline with special attention to relationships with groups historically excluded from opportunities in science & technology innovation and entrepreneurship
• Serve as a primary point of contact for program participants from a wide variety of backgrounds as they journey through the program offerings - application, acceptance/rejection, onboarding, next steps, alumni
• Conduct outreach activities to support VentureWell's recruiting goals and support marketing efforts with ideas, team feature suggestions, interviews, and contributions to content
• Work closely with the Data Intelligence team to ensure relevant assessment metrics are used for evaluating workshops and documenting learning, knowledge, and impact.
• Work towards advancing equity in the scope of individual performance goals, and broader contributions to VentureWell's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

Program Delivery (30% of time)

• Ensure logistics required for successful program implementation are planned and executed in a manner that delivers excellence
• Ensure seamless meeting setup on-the-fly during an event, whether in person or virtual, and providing on-the-ground support of activities and events during in-person program execution
• Use domain experience to provide mentorship to startups
• Leverage subject matter expertise to conduct recruitment, application review, deeper due diligence and selection of entrepreneurs for the various programs
• Implement defined program objectives, using domain experience to deliver programming - including group conversation facilitation, presenting and teaching directly in a "front of classroom" role, and one-on-one engagements with participants from a variety of backgrounds

Program Management and Internal Project Management (40% of time)

• Participate in internal collaboration and communication to ensure program success through use of project management tools and practices including project kick-off and ongoing management
• Coordinate all pieces of program implementation with other departments and manage project plan, internal communications, and timeline
• Contribute to the management of consultants who work on a dynamic mix of programs and events
• Recommend content and process improvements from available information (evaluations, funders, partners, etc.)
• Use domain experience and evaluation findings to recommend program improvements
• Support funder relationships and reporting
• Contribute domain experience to program area, and leverages domain knowledge to develop content for new offerings, synthesize lessons learned into program design evolution, and provide thought leadership across the Program team

What You Bring:

• Minimum 3 years related experience including project management or program administration, with domain experience in fields related to VentureWell program areas, such as science and technology innovation, entrepreneurship, global health, climate change and sustainability, early stage investing, startup acceleration or incubation, or in a startup. Experience in higher education and working with faculty is valuable in this role.
• A degree in relevant disciplines is preferred but not required. While not a requirement, we prefer candidates with a technical background in climate-related fields (this can include specific degrees, professional experience, and relevant professional certifications).
• Experience and subject matter expertise in entrepreneurship and innovation methods
• Comfort and experience delivering trainings or content related to domain experience online and in person
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills with an ability to articulate and synthesize information in a compelling and organized manner
• Ability to extract key information and data to solve problems and inform decision-making
• Demonstrated history of success utilizing project management skills, including the ability to meet deadlines and coordinate multiple tasks with a wide range of stakeholders
• Ability to succeed and thrive in an environment with competing and changing priorities and tight deadlines
• Track record of and ability to build solid, collaborative working relationships; exceptional team player who enjoys "customer service" orientation to collaboration internally and externally
• Self-starter with proven attention to detail and a commitment to delivering high-quality work
• Highly adaptable and comfortable working with a degree of ambiguity
• Ability to understand and apply appropriate tools and technologies used in the workplace; ease with adapting new technologies as needed
• High degree of digital fluency using cloud-based office tools such as GSuite, CRMs, team collaboration tools, and other web-based applications; ability to incorporate these tools into day to day work

Across the Board, VentureWell Staff:

• Are able to succeed and thrive in an environment with competing and changing priorities and tight deadlines
• Have track records of and ability to build solid collaborative working relationships, and are proven team players who enjoy a "customer service" orientation to collaboration
• Are committed to embedding equity for all in our internal practices and culture and in our programs in order to live and achieve our mission
• Bring openness and engagement to personal, professional, and organization-wide learning
• Are curious and committed to issues of environmental sustainability
• Are self-starters with excellent attention to detail and a commitment to delivering high-quality work
• Are active learners who independently learn new tools and work processes quickly
• Have excellent written and oral communication skills

Our Benefits*:

• An attractive and equitable compensation package, including:




• a salary range of $70,000 - $85,000 commensurate with experience and internal equity
• 403 (b) with 200% match up to a maximum contribution from VentureWell of 10% when the employee puts in 5% (eligible after one year of service for the match)
• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• $1,000 home office stipend upon hire

• A true focus on work-life balance with work weeks that reflect that




• 20 paid vacation days
• 12 paid holidays
• 12 paid wellness days

*Benefits are reviewed each fiscal year and may be subject to change.

What We Offer:

• A culture where people work intentionally and collaboratively in pursuit of our mission
• Values we believe in

About VentureWell:

VentureWell supports the cultivation of science and technology inventors and the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems critical to their success. Since its founding in 1995, VentureWell has funded or trained over 19,000 early-stage science and technology inventors and innovators, resulting in the emergence of more than 6,100 ventures with groundbreaking technological advancements in fields like biomedicine and healthcare, sustainable energy and materials, and solutions for low-resource settings. The ventures it has supported have raised subsequent funds totaling more than $7.8 billion and are reaching millions of people globally.

Visit venturewell.org to learn more.