The University of Michigan is one of the world's most powerful engines for scholarly research, service, and impact. Sustaining and supporting the University's robust research enterprise are vital for maximizing innovation and economic growth. As a service and resource for researchers interested in commercialization of technologies and research discoveries, Innovation Partnerships is a unit of the Office of Research that plays a central role in helping to ensure that society realizes the benefits of the research conducted at the University of Michigan.

Innovation Partnerships enhances research discoveries to encourage licensing and broad deployment with existing businesses and newly-formed U-M startups. Innovation Partnerships has earned a reputation for performance among the top 10 of all universities through providing responsive, professional service to our inventors, industry partners and ecosystem collaborators.

As the Administrative Assistant, you will play a key role in supporting the Ventures team, Program Directors, and Mentors-in-Residence, while also managing the day-to-day operations of our startup incubator, which provides office, cubicle, and lab space to newly created U-M startups.  This position is critical to ensuring organizational efficiency and enabling the Ventures team to focus on strategic initiatives such as startup acceleration, investment coordination, and ecosystem engagement. The Administrative Assistant will report to the Director of Ventures and Managing Director of the Accelerate Blue Fund. The Administrative Assistant  will also receive work assignments from the Executive Assistant to the Associate Vice President for Research - Innovation Partnerships and Economic Impact regarding broader unit support needs.

(50%) Support the ventures team with administrative support and a variety of projects, including: 

• Organize partner visits and meetings (facilities, catering, parking) 
• Schedule meetings and conference rooms, setup Zoom technology, coordinate travel arrangements, maintain calendars
• Assist with planning and executing venture-focused events such as pitch sessions and webinars
• Attend team meetings and maintain meeting minutes; prepare agendas, as needed, coordinate logistics and greet guests 
• Organize shared team folders (Google)
• Data entry on behalf of the team into SalesForce (CRM)Coordinate travel arrangements and itineraries
• Reconcile PCards, prepare travel expense reimbursements
• Maintain highly demanding and challenging calendars

(30%) Support the Innovation Partnerships Startup Incubator (IPSI) with daily operations including:

• Coordinate and run facility tours for potential new startup company tenants
• Facilitate tenant licenses ('leases') by gathering/tracking documents for the Real Estate Office and Office of General Counsel
• Onboard/offboard tenants, including coordinate move in/out, key distribution/returns, building access, parking permits 
• Handle ongoing facilities work requests
• Handle mail/shipping/deliveries

(20%) Unit-wide support with respective activities and projects, including:

• Event and meeting coordination 
• Coordinate business vehicle permits, guest parking arrangements, and reconciliation
• Assist with facilities work requests
• Maintain shared public calendars and conference room scheduling
• Maintain inventory of kitchen/office/printer/copier/mailroom supplies and stock and organize areas accordingly
• Greet visitors on a rotating schedule with other administrative staff
• Coordinate day-to-day work with other administrative staff
• Share mail triage along with other administrative team members
• Provide backup support for other administrative team members

• Associate's degree (preferably in business/office administration) 
• Ability to interact effectively with a wide variety of people, including senior executives in industry and high-level administrators 
• Strong dedication to customer service and an ability to work within a team-focused framework 
• Ability to work as part of a team in a professional and collaborative manner 
• Demonstrated organizational skills and attention to detail 
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills 
• Able to navigate and manage ambiguity successfully
• Proven ability to be flexible, proactive and resourceful and work with minimal supervision in a fast-paced, evolving environment
• Proficient with computer software (G Suite, MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint) 
• Proficient with conferencing software (Zoom) 
• Experience in customer relations and event planning
• Ability to set priorities
• Ability to act effectively both independently and as a member of a team
• Flexibility to meet changing priorities

• Bachelor's degree, and a minimum of 2 years of work experience in a corporate/academic/research environment
• Knowledge of University policies and procedures
• Knowledge of and experience with U-M sponsored research, Business Objects, and Salesforce, or a desire and willingness to learn

Units determine the mode of work based on their assessment of the job requirements, operational needs and priorities. Innovation Partnerships has determined that this will be a hybrid position, a role that combines remote and in-office work with an expectation of three days per week in the office.

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks.  Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.