The Entrepreneurial Program and Communications Specialist will support the programming and services of the Mon Valley LaunchBox, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs in the Mon and Turtle Creek valleys and surrounding communities. This individual will collaborate with campus departments, community partners, and entrepreneurs to coordinate engaging workshops, events, and resources that foster innovation, business development, and entrepreneurial success. 

Reporting to the Director of Internships and Community Engagement, this role will support program coordination, marketing, and community engagement, while working in partnership with campus operations staff to ensure the LaunchBox remains a welcoming, professional space. 

Job Duties:

Program Support and Coordination 

• Coordinate a focused set of LaunchBox programming each semester, including flagship events such as Shark Tank-style competitions, Startup Week activities, and select workshops/seminars.
• Assist with summer programming (e.g., entrepreneurship camps, research cohorts) as scheduling allows.
• Support organizations that use the LaunchBox space for programming, serving as a point of contact and ensuring logistics run smoothly.
• Collaborate with the Director to monitor and evaluate program outcomes and contribute to reports that support continuous improvement.

Marketing and Communications 

• Maintain and update the Mon Valley LaunchBox website and promotional listings.
• Create marketing materials (e.g., flyers, social media posts, newsletters)  to highlight LaunchBox programs and successes.
• Assist with event promotion and community visibility in collaboration with campus marketing staff and the Director of Internships and Community Engagement.

Stakeholder Engagement 

• Serve as a liaison between the LaunchBox program and community partners, ensuring programming aligns with regional needs.
• Facilitate networking opportunities and connections between entrepreneurs, students and mentors 

Administrative Support 

• Maintain participant data, feedback and program metrics.
• Assist in preparing periodic reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Track invoices and payments related to LaunchBox programming in coordination with campus finance and events offices.
• Provide general oversight of the LaunchBox space, ensuring materials are organized and the space remains clean, professional, and welcoming for guests and entrepreneurs.

The LaunchBox is a program of Invent Penn State, an initiative to leverage the resources of Penn State University with local groups so that entrepreneurs have access to programs and tools that can help them to start and grow a business, find licensable technologies and investment opportunities, and get to know the innovation community. Penn State campuses throughout Pennsylvania have developed entrepreneurial centers called LaunchBoxes. More information can be found at https://invent.psu.edu. 

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

This position requires the following clearances in addition to applicable background checks: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.

Requirements and Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Public Policy, Entrepreneurial Studies, or a related field, with 3+ years of relevant experience; or a Bachelor’s degree with 2+ years of relevant experience.
• Strong communication, organizational and relationship-building skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite; familiarity with digital marketing tools (e.g., Canva, Mailchimp, Adobe InDesign) is a plus. 
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Passion for entrepreneurship and community development.

Preferred Skills: 

• Experience with startups or small business development programs.
• Existing network of community contacts.
• Familiarity with CRM systems or event management software.
• Graphic and/or video content creation.
• Excellent writing and communications presentation skills.
• Flexibility to occasionally work evenings or weekends for events.