Development Specialist

37.5 hours per week This position advises entrepreneurial students, supports founders and students interested in VC/investment careers, and helps them connect with resources they need—including each other—to advance their ideas and develop their skills. The Venture Development Specialist implements multiple venture/ideation competitions and programs, designs inducements to engage innovators university‑wide, and facilitates the operational management of the Center’s investment portfolio, including relationships with the WashU Venture Network, startups, and investors. Primary Duties & Responsibilities Meet with Washington University students, alumni, faculty, and staff to advise founders, support early‑stage venture development, and connect participants with relevant campus, regional, and industry resources. Support venture development competitions and programs such as the Student Enterprise Program, the Global Impact Award, the Skandalaris Venture Competition, IdeaBounce®, hackathons, and related founder support initiatives. Advise and prepare students/alumni participating in regional, national, and international startup competitions. Identify promising WashU‑affiliated startups seeking investment or preparing to raise capital. Work with experts to evaluate investment readiness, business model strength, market potential, team capacity, intellectual property position, resource needs, and strategic partnership opportunities; perform diligence and prepare recommendations for possible investment. Manage resources to support the Center’s WashU Venture Network, including the Startup Showcase series, investor engagement, investment funds, and venture growth pipeline. Recruit, train, and supervise student analysts supporting the Network, ensuring high‑quality diligence, professional standards, and appropriate engagement with startups and investors. Track metrics; manage the CRM platform and databases (AirTable) and design custom research surveys. Ensure efficiencies and data analysis for the venture development and venture growth pipeline, reporting program, competition, and gap‑funding success for all stakeholders. Collect and analyze data for leadership updates, rankings, annual reports, and other institutional needs. Assist in developing and tracking the budget for Venture Development programs; provide general operational support for the Center and Venture Development and Venture Growth teams; track the Center’s financial commitments, awards, and investments. Perform other duties as assigned. Working Conditions The work environment is primarily an office setting with frequent events/programs that may require transporting lightweight (15 lb) materials/tables. Many Skandalaris events and programs are held in the evenings and on weekends, thereby requiring hours outside the normal work day as needed. Work will be conducted at both the Danforth and Medical School campuses and occasionally off‑campus. Required Qualifications Education: Bachelor’s degree or combination of education and experience may substitute for the minimum education. Certifications/Professional Licenses: None required. Work Experience: 3 years of relevant experience. Skills: Not applicable. Driver’s License: Not required. Preferred Qualifications Graduate degree in business, finance, or entrepreneurship. Proven ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks and deadlines under varying degrees of pressure; exercise judgment and take corrective action. Experience in donor and volunteer management, including positive stewardship. Experience in investor and LP management. Background working in entrepreneurial support organizations or directly at a startup venture or venture capital firm. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, AirTable, PitchBook, and Crunchbase. Excellent interpersonal communication skills, written and verbal; a service‑oriented communicator who is a true team player. Strong creative and problem‑solving skills, organizational skills, event management, attention to detail, and customer service skills. Self‑starter with excellent project management, technical, communication (written and oral), and interpersonal skills. Desire to work in an environment of growth and change. Ability to work independently in an environment of multiple and conflicting priorities and projects; anticipate and resolve problems and update leadership on status of projects. Good professional judgment, initiative, and confidence. Ability to function as part of a team, coordinating with multiple constituencies. Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Benefits Statement Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time. Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance. Free Metro transit U‑Pass for eligible employees. Defined contribution (403(b)) retirement savings plan, starting at 7% employee contribution. Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program, financial resources, and access to dietitians. 4 weeks of caregiver leave for bonding with a new child. WashU covers the cost of tuition for dependent undergraduate‑level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us. Salary Range Salary Range: $49,700.00 - $82,100.00 per year EEO Statement Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information. #J-18808-Ljbffr