Program Coordinator - Research Office LaunchLab

The LaunchLab at West Virginia University Research Office is currently accepting applications for a Program Coordinator.

About the Opportunity

The Program Coordinator of the Morris L. Hayhurst LaunchLab supports daily operations and participant engagement for WVU's primary entry point for undergraduate entrepreneurs. This position conducts student intake, supports outreach, and connects participants to the right resources across the WVU Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem. The Program Coordinator reports directly to the Director of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

Intake and Student Support

• Serve as a primary coach for LaunchLab participants across idea development, customer discovery, and venture readiness.
• Conduct intake meetings and first-contact sessions with students entering the ecosystem.
• Guide students through referral processes to relevant units within the ecosystem.
• Support students in identifying next steps and connect them to relevant ecosystem resources.
• Track student progress and flag participants who are ready to advance in the pipeline.
• Support logistics for pre-accelerator cohort cycles, including scheduling, participant communication, and session setup.

Outreach and Ecosystem Engagement

• Lead recruitment and outreach to undergraduate students across WVU colleges and disciplines.
• Represent the LaunchLab at campus events, orientation sessions, classroom visits, and partner programs.
• Build and maintain relationships with student organizations, faculty, and advisors who can serve as referral sources.
• Support ecosystem-wide events including pitch competitions, workshops, and networking programs.
• Collaborate with communications team on marketing plans for the LaunchLab.

Operations, Data, and Reporting

• Oversee day-to-day operations of the LaunchLab space and student experience.
• Manage student worker assignments, timesheets, and project oversight.
• Maintain participant records and track engagement data.
• Contribute to annual reporting, outcome tracking, and impact metrics for the LaunchLab.
• Support budget monitoring and resource coordination as directed by the Director.

Other Duties as Assigned

• Represent the LaunchLab and the ecosystem at institutional and community events.
• Support special projects and initiatives as directed by the Director.

• Bachelor's degree preferred in entrepreneurship, business, education, communications, or a related field or combination of education and experience.
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience in the following:
  • Professional experience in program coordination, higher education, student services, or a related field.
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to coordinate programs or events, including scheduling, participant communication, and logistics management.
• Strong coaching and advising skills with experience working with students, early-stage entrepreneurs, or comparable populations.
• Critical thinking skills and the ability to assess complex situations and develop practical solutions independently.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including experience with group presentations and one-on-one advising.
• Ability to work across multiple departments and build effective collaborative relationships.
• Comfort operating in an environment where goals and programs evolve over time.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to maintain professionalism and composure during high-volume, high-pressure periods.
• Ability to engage and support diverse groups of students in a welcoming and professional manner.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience building or managing programs with defined outcomes is preferred.
• Experience working directly with student populations in a coaching, advising, or instructional role is strongly preferred.
• Experience in a university innovation or entrepreneurship setting is a plus but not required.
• Familiarity with entrepreneurship frameworks such as customer discovery, Lean Startup, and the Business Model Canvas is preferred.
• Valid Passport (preferred for potential conference or partnership travel).

• Valid driver's license

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.