Innovation (Program) Manager - Startup Creation (80-100%)

The Innovation Office leads the University of Basel's efforts in the areas of entrepreneurship and innovation, operating with directly under the guidance of the University President.

To fulfil our vision, "propelling innovators to achieve impact”, as Innovation Office, our activities involve: 1) equipping founders with skills, the right mindset & a network to build successful start-up ventures; 2) building collaborations with industry and VCs to support start-ups tackling complex, real-world challenges; 3) build international partnerships that amplify our reach across Europe and beyond.

Your position

We're strengthening our team to deliver on our core mission: helping entrepreneurs turn ideas and discoveries into successful startups. We're looking for someone with both experience and enthusiasm for designing and running high-quality programs and for creating opportunities that enable collaboration and growth.

You will be responsible for the implementation and execution of existing Startup & Entrepreneurship Programs, as well as developing new ones. Ensuring timely and excellent delivery, you will build a stronger innovation community locally, and globally. Passionate about supporting startups and innovators, you will take a hands-on approach yourself, i.e. organizing and running workshops, programs and events, handling communications, overseeing your own budget and expanding resources through partnerships / business development. We work in a fast-moving, start-up-like environment where responsibilities often go beyond job titles. We value high standards, professionalism, and a shared commitment to enabling entrepreneurship with real-world impact.

You will have the task to design and run new acceleration, incubation, mentoring and networking activities, consolidating our existing programs into excellence, with the freedom to expand into novel ones while securing funding or sponsorships to support their growth. While working across all disciplines, many of our programs focus on life sciences and health innovation. You will also play an active role in startup fundraising, building relationships with VCs, helping founders connect with investors, and organizing venture capital-focused showcase events.

Your profile

For this particular role, you should thrive on the challenges of a multi-stakeholder setting (i.e. academia, start-ups, industry, international collaboration) and be able to demonstrate prior achievement.

• University degree in any field with 3–7 years of relevant experience (multiple roles and/or post-PhD), with a strong preference for life sciences or health backgrounds and/or professional experience;
• Experience in building start-up support programs and executing them with outstanding, provable outcomes is a must;
• Experience in working with start-ups, in a start-up, or in a start-up like environment;
• Skilled at engaging diverse groups and energised by organizing events and workshops; you enjoy being around people and thrive in front-facing, interactive settings; Strong writing and presentations skills for public and private stakeholders, with proven ability to prepare high-quality reports for government and funding agencies, delivered on time;
• Experience & proven track record in business development or securing sponsorship funding from private or non-profit institution is preferred;
• Excellent communication and self-organizational skills;
• English is the primary working language; excellent command of French or German (ideally both) is highly desirable;
• International work experience is a plus;
• Strong preference for candidates based in, or willing to relocate to, Basel.

We offer you

At the Innovation Office, you'll join a dynamic team with a start-up mindset, embedded in one of Europe's top research universities. We uphold the highest standards and reflect Basel's strong reputation in life sciences and health innovation. This role is not traditional, and it's a career stepping stone in innovation and entrepreneurship, offering global exposure and meaningful connections with founders, investors, and leading initiatives across Europe, the US, and Asia. We value autonomy, a hands-on approach, and a shared sense of purpose. Expect fast learning curves, real challenges, and a team that has your back while you build the future of entrepreneurship in Basel.