Temporary Community Experience Manager at The University of Chicago

Job description

Department SING Polsky Administration - Biweekly 2 About the Department Originally established at Chicago Booth in 1998, the Polsky Center has provided over two decades of venture support for students interested in entrepreneurship and robust training for students interested in pursuing a career in venture capital and private equity. In 2016, with a generous gift from University trustee and Chicago Booth alum Michael Polsky, MBA ’87, the Polsky Center’s mission expanded to include an additional focus on supporting all University of Chicago faculty inventors in commercializing their discoveries. This effort was further accelerated in 2022 with the launch of Deep Tech Ventures, a new initiative offering a suite of sector-specific accelerators and investment opportunities dedicated to translating deep tech innovations into startups that bring lifesaving, world-changing science and technology to market. The Polsky Center also supports local South and West Side community entrepreneurs and small business owners as well as University of Chicago alumni around the globe. Today, the Polsky Center is a 60-person professional staff responsible for advancing all University of Chicago entrepreneurship and research commercialization innovation activities through the creation of new ventures and partnerships. By igniting a spirit of innovation and fostering connections that extend across the University, city, region and world, the Polsky Center enables more ideas to have a meaningful impact on society. Third Coast Foundry is a new physical space in San Francisco for partner university-founded startups and teams traveling to the Bay Area. Designed to improve access to venture capital and networks on the West Coast without requiring startups to relocate, it provides opportunities for investors, alumni, and other partners to engage through meetings, events, and programming. At its core, Third Coast Foundry is a bridge between Midwest innovation and coastal capital. Job Information Job Summary: The Community Experience Manager helps make the Third Coast Foundry a vibrant, well-connected hub for Midwest innovation in the Bay Area. This role combines in-space operations and user management with programming coordination and relationship building. The Community Experience Manager ensures that daily use of the space, along with its programming and events, supports Third Coast Foundry’s mission, oversees the user experience, and helps connect Third Coast Foundry users to each other and to the broader Bay Area ecosystem. Responsibilities: Serve as a welcoming and high touch point of contact for key visitors, partners, and University stakeholders. Shape and maintain the overall in-space experience and culture. Oversee user management across the space including prioritization of rooms, guiding event hosts on usage, and resolving conflicts. Provide input on and help refine policies, guidelines, and communications to users. Support management of any interns working at the Third Coast Foundry. Oversee day-to-day operational readiness of the space including signage, calendars, and upcoming partner visits. Serve as a point of contact with building management and security for facilities needs. Translate strategic guidance from University leadership and the Third Coast Foundry team into practical operations and user-facing processes. Coordinate with building staff on upcoming weekly and long-term event calendars. Coordinate event logistics and planning with hosts to ensure smooth execution of events, meetings, receptions, partner gatherings, and other programming in the office suite or shared building amenity spaces. Provide oversight and guidance for set-up and takedown of furniture and equipment for gatherings and events, with occasional hands-on support as needed. Assist with additional event needs such as room set-up, basic A/V checks, signage, and directing event flow. Support design and logistics of recurring programming aligned with Third Coast Foundry go