Partnerships & Innovation

Position number: 32649

Date posted: May 1, 2026

Job details

Lab2Market Program Associate - AA2 (AESES)

Existing Regular Continuing Full-Time (Grant Funded)

Full-time:

Yes

Permanent:

Yes

Work schedule:

35 Hours/week (Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm)

Salary:

$28.83 to $40.63 per hour ($52,470.60 to $73,946.60 per annum)

Expected Start Date

May 25, 2026

Trial/Probation period:

840 hours worked

For more information please contact: Allison Stephen - allison.stephen@umanitoba.ca

Lab2Market (L2M) Prairies is a fast-paced, impact-driven hub helping transform promising research ideas into real-world ventures. Operating out of the University of Manitoba under the national Lab2Market umbrella, L2M Prairies delivers virtual programming to researchers across the prairie provinces, bringing a scientific, evidence-based approach to entrepreneurship that reduces commercial risk and accelerates innovation. As a lean, start-up-style team, L2M Prairies thrives on collaboration and adaptability-designing and delivering exceptional cohort experiences for research entrepreneurs, industry facilitators, and mentors-supported by a hands-on Program Associate role. This position is based in person at the Fort Garry campus SmartPark.

Qualifications

MINIMUM FORMAL EDUCATION/TRAINING:

• Undergraduate degree in a related discipline such as business administration, commerce, communications, or related field required.
• Knowledge of university regulations, programs and procedures as they relate to the function/program required.
• Some positions require enrolment in the final years of a recognized professional accounting program plus three years experience in an accounting-related position where knowledge of accounting theory and practice and a working knowledge of computer produced data has been acquired.

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum two years of directly related administrative experience in an account management or program coordination role required.
• Experience navigating and working across an online virtual environment required.
• Experience working as a customer support specialist is an asset.
• Experience working within a start-up across multiple industries would be an asset.
• Project management experience is an asset.
• Office administration experience is an asset.
• Marketing experience is an asset.
• An acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Excellent professional communication skills both verbal and written required.
• Strong organizational skills required.
• Highly motivated, detail and goal-oriented required.
• Flexibility and the ability to work in a fast-paced and constantly changing environment required.
• Ability to learn new software and processes rapidly required.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and adapt strategies/solutions when working within the digital ecosystem required.
• Ability to effectively manage and prioritize multiple projects and assignments required.
• Ability to work independently and with a team that is virtual and in-person required.
• Experience with graphic design software is considered an asset.
• Previous experience with managing Zoom, Slack, and knowledge portals (e.g., Notion) are considered an asset.
• Experience delivering presentations preferred.
• A satisfactory work record, including satisfactory attendance and punctuality, is required.

OTHER JOB RELATED QUALIFICATIONS:

• This is an in-person position with the occasional opportunity to work remotely.

Key responsibilities

• Support L2M Prairies Program Manager to actively help the growth of L2M Prairies program and ensure all deliverables related to contractual KPIs of government funders are met.
• Ensure target cohort numbers are met by adjusting tactics according to the data from previous cohorts and marketing strategies.
• Lead and manage the L2M Prairies operations to ensure smooth running of all processes, including the program schedule during the development, delivery, and after each Cohort. Adjust and improve action item lists as needed.
• Create and maintain program records, reports, presentations, and proposals.
• Accountable for all material/collateral for meetings, events, and virtual sessions.
• Ensure material/collateral readiness for each cohort and according to the current cohort brand, as well as the L2M Prairies operational and marketing strategies.
• Collaborate with L2M Prairies Program Manager and own preparing internal reports, promotional and event materials, and other L2M Prairies collateral.
• Audit and facilitate the purchase of program software, with approval from the L2M Prairies Program Manager, as well as the Director and Finance Officer with Partnerships, Knowledge Mobilization, and Innovation (PKMI).
• Attend regular meetings with Lab2Market Prairies, PKMI, Lab2Market National, etc.Manage the process of onboarding participants, facilitators, mentors, industry partners, and guest speakers.
• Collaborate with L2M Prairies Program Manager and lead recruitment and communication processes of mentors and guest speakers.
• Ensure all facilitators are on track for their curriculum delivery dates according to contract and program deadlines and provide support to ensure smooth delivery of live virtual sessions.
• Prepare presentations and present on how to utilize program tools to program stakeholders (e.g., Program Manager, facilitators, participants, etc.).
• Provide technical support to all L2M Prairies stakeholders in a timely and efficient manner.
• Design onboarding documents (i.e., participant and mentor welcome packages), and participant certificates, and distribute based on program delivery timelines.
• Ensure marketing and communications align with strategic timelines set by the Program Manager. This includes, but is not exclusive to, ensuring a "go-to-market strategy" is implemented pre, during, and post for any L2M Prairies programs.
• Lead the recruitment strategy for future cohorts using a direct email approach, LinkedIn, and/or other strategies.
• Source all marketing resources and supports provided by the national marketing team and add to them with specific marketing collateral suggested by the Program Manager.
• Own the outreach database to ensure L2M Prairies has contact information for all eligible post-secondary institutions across Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
• Accountable for the logistics and setup of any virtual or in-person meetings or events, including booking meetings, arranging for food and/or a venue, producing and distributing invitations, on-site support, and assisting with other logistical details. Accountable to stay within allocated budgets.
• Accountable for each technical Cohort ecosystem to ensure platforms are functioning pre, during, and post a L2M Cohort.
• Own the design, develop, distribution, collection, and analysis of pre, during and post-program surveys to participants. This is essential for program evolution and metrics for the program funders.
• Own L2M Prairies program reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing data according to requirements from internal and external stakeholders/funders.
• Present reports as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Additional information

The University of Manitoba is committed to the principles of equity, diversity & inclusion and to promoting opportunities in hiring, promotion and tenure (where applicable) for systemically marginalized groups who have been excluded from full participation at the University and the larger community including Indigenous Peoples, women, racialized persons, persons with disabilities and those who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, questioning, intersex, asexual and other diverse sexual identities).

If you require accommodation supports during the recruitment process, please contact UM.Accommodation@umanitoba.ca or 204-474-7195. Please note this contact information is for accommodation reasons only.

Application materials, including letters of reference, will be handled in accordance with the protection of privacy provisions of "The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act" (Manitoba). Please note that curriculum vitae will be provided to participating members of the search process.