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CDL - Wisconsin Venture Manager

University of Wisconsin Madison
United States, Wisconsin, Madison
21 North Park Street (Show on map)
Jan 09, 2026
Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Jobs Hub to apply through the internal application process. Job Category:Academic Staff Employment Type:Regular Job Profile:Project Manager I Job Summary:

Manages a single project from start to finish or one phase of a large project under limited supervision.

Recruitment & Selection:


  • Identifies and builds relationships with centers of innovation in the local ecosystem; including Universities, venture capital funds, incubators & accelerators, and tech associations to build a strong pipeline of Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) venture applicants

  • Executes outreach strategy for recruitment of incoming cohort

  • Builds pipeline of CDL prospects and works within Salesforce system to monitor and convert leads to applications

  • Assesses fit for early-stage risk and insurance ventures that apply for the CDL program

  • Interviews companies and makes recommendations about who should be admitted to the program


Venture Management:


  • Acts as coordinator between ventures, scientists, and students

  • Supports ongoing communication with CDL founders and mentors

  • Develops documentation to support CDL programming

  • Manages documentation workflow (Venture Summaries, Venture Updates, Meeting Schedules, etc.)

  • Works closely with other venture managers


CDL Operations:


  • Provides ad hoc event planning support to CDL Events Manager/Project Manager

  • Supports CDL event logistics as required, including conferences, educational events, and CDL Super Session

  • Supports CDL administrative functions as required


Key Job Responsibilities:
  • Prepares regular reports to communicate the status of the project within and beyond the project team
  • Facilitates the estimation of project costs, resources, and time required to complete the assigned phase of a project and monitors activities, negotiates for resources, and assigns tasks to ensure these targets are met. Follows established change control processes if targets can no longer be met
  • Manages the activities of outside contractors to ensure they are integrated into the project and that the organization receives satisfactory standards of service
  • Sets priorities, allocates tasks, and collaborates with project staff to meet project targets and milestones
  • Creates a project plan, monitors progress and performance against the project plan, and identifies, resolves, or escalates risks and issues

Department:

Wisconsin School of Business, Risk & Insurance Department

Compensation:

The minimum salary for the position is $72,000. Actual starting salary will be based on experience and qualifications.

Required Qualifications:


  • At least two years of experience in the risk & insurance industry

  • At least two years of experience working with or for startups


Preferred Qualifications:


  • Experience in a start-up accelerator, particularly in developing and implementing a successful venture recruitment strategy, is highly valued.

  • Work experience sharing negative constructive feedback

  • Technology background, with a focus on risk and insurance

  • Work experience working with startups, technology companies, or venture capital is an asset

  • Strong analytical ability and understanding of business models and drivers of success in startups across several verticals

  • Experience and confidence working with high-performing teams and multiple stakeholders

  • Entrepreneurial and highly motivated with a strong interest in startups and venture capital

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English

  • Passion to consistently meet or exceed performance objectives

  • Collaborative work ethic with willingness to work independently and autonomously

  • Organized with project management experience


Education:

  • Required Education: Bachelor's degree

How to Apply:

Click the "Apply" button to start the application process.

You will be prompted to upload the following documents:


  • Resume

  • Letter of Qualification


Applicants should attach a letter of qualifications and resume detailing their training and experience relating to the required and preferred qualifications referenced above. The application reviewers will be relying on written application materials to determine which qualified applicants will advance in the recruitment process. The search committee will review all application materials after the posted deadline. We will notify selected applicants to participate further in the selection process directly. References will be requested of final candidates. All applicants will be notified after the search is complete and a candidate has been selected.

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.

Contact Information:

Rima Okbazghi

rima.okbazghi@wisc.edu

608-262-2810

Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

Institutional Statement on Diversity:

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.

To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.

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