Overview
The wage is dependent upon qualifications, classification level and is non-negotiable.
- Entrepreneurship Initiatives Marketing Specialist: $26.00- $31.50 per hour. This position is hourly, non - exempt.
- Entrepreneurship Initiatives Marketing Lead is $5,583.33 - $5,916.67 per month ($67,000-$71,000 per year) this position is salaried, exempt.
The ZIP Launchpad at San Diego State University is a startup incubator designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurship among students. The program is within the Division of Research and Innovation. The program provides resources, mentorship, and guidance to help students develop their ideas into viable startups. The department supports a diverse range of projects, from tech startups to social enterprises, aiming to turn innovative concepts into market-ready businesses. The ZIP Launchpad typically comprises around 5-7 full-time staff members alongside a varying number of student assistants. Student, staff, and faculty make up the program participants which can range from 50 to 100 depending on the semester and the number of active projects.
FUNCTION OF THE UNIT
The SDSU Entrepreneurship Initiatives, under the direction of the Division of Research and Innovation and the Fowler College of Business bring entrepreneurship and commercialization opportunities to the SDSU Campus, students, staff, and faculty, through four key organizations, ZIP Launchpad, Lavin Entrepreneurship Center, San Diego Techstars powered by SDSU, and the Advancement of Research Commercialization in collaboration with the Technology Transfer Office. These initiatives provide resources, mentorship, and funding opportunities to support entrepreneurial ventures from ideation to commercialization. They foster a culture of innovation, encourage interdisciplinary collaboration, and equip the SDSU community with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through workshops, events, and hands-on programs, the Entrepreneurship Initiatives aim to transform innovative ideas into viable businesses, contributing to the economic growth and social impact of the region.
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
The Entrepreneurship Initiatives Marketing Lead is responsible for orchestrating and executing comprehensive marketing strategies for SDSU's Entrepreneurship Initiatives, focusing on the ZIP Launchpad and Lavin Entrepreneurship Center, and supporting San Diego Techstars powered by SDSU, and the Advancement of Research Commercialization in collaboration with the Technology Transfer Office. This role involves planning and organizing marketing activities, developing and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, and ensuring the quality and accuracy of all promotional materials. The employee leads a team of student assistants, oversees the creation and implementation of marketing plans, tracks performance metrics, and provides administrative support to enhance the visibility and impact of SDSU's entrepreneurial programs.
Responsibilities
Core Responsibilities
The Entrepreneurship Initiatives Marketing Specialist performs a variety of moderate to complex marketing work assignments of a responsible & difficult nature involving the planning & organizing of the SDSU Entrepreneurship Initiatives marketing activities, this includes but is not limited to the ZIP Launchpad, the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center, San Diego Techstars powered by SDSU, and the Advancement of Research Commercialization in collaboration with the Technology Transfer Office.
They are responsible for assisting in coordinating and recruiting a team of student assistants requiring the application of a comprehensive knowledge of a variety of policies, procedures, & precedents. They support the supervision and training of these student assistants in the performance of clerical and marketing work of average difficulty.
The Entrepreneurship Initiatives Marketing Specialist performs difficult clerical work covering a variety of subjects, programs, or projects, and requires the selection & application of a number of procedures & regulations. Other clerical functions include office support related to budget, program administration, personnel, ordering of supplies & equipment, & record keeping. These additional subject matter areas involve different sets of policies, procedures, & regulations as well as information pertaining to each field.
Position Specific Responsibilities:
Marketing & Promotion (60%)
The Entrepreneurship Initiatives Marketing Specialist, under the direction of the ZIP Launchpad Program Manager, is responsible for the efficacy of the marketing activities of the Lavin Entrepreneurship Program and the ZIP Launchpad as measured by several key performance indicators (KPIs) and supports the marketing activities of Techstars San Diego powered by SDSU and the Advancement of Research Commercialization in collaboration with the Technology Transfer Office.
Marketing & Promotion Of SDSU Entrepreneurship Initiatives:
Includes but is not limited to the ZIP Launchpad, the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center, San Diego Techstars powered by SDSU, and the Advancement of Research Commercialization in collaboration with the Technology Transfer Office.
Entrepreneurship Initiatives Marketing Specialist:
- Coordinates the implementation of an annual marketing calendar for all Entrepreneurship Initiatives.
- Fosters relationships with heads of communication within the colleges, the on-campus newsletter producers, StratComm, and clubs for promotion/cross-promotion opportunities that result in SDSU Entrepreneurship Initiatives content being highlighted through their dedicated channels.
- Schedules photography & videography of all ZIP Launchpad events and other Entrepreneurship Initiative Events as requested.
- Guides the creation and dissemination of marketing materials through campus and online channels.
- Supports presentations to campus organizations to promote the Entrepreneurship Initiatives.
- Responsible for the quality and accuracy of all materials, presentations, and other promotional activities put out by their marketing team.
Entrepreneurship Initiatives Marketing Lead:
- Maintains & coordinates the implementation of an annual marketing calendar for all Entrepreneurship Initiatives.
- Responsible for developing and maintaining critical relationships with heads of communication within the colleges, the on-campus newsletter producers, StratComm, and clubs for promotion/cross-promotion opportunities that result in SDSU Entrepreneurship Initiatives content being highlighted through their dedicated channels.
- Responsible for coordinating photography & videography of all ZIP Launchpad events and other Entrepreneurship Initiative Events as requested.
- Provides support in the creation and dissemination of marketing materials through campus and online channels.
- Supports presentations to campus organizations to promote the Entrepreneurship Initiatives.
- Responsible for the quality and accuracy of all materials, presentations, and other promotional activities put out by their marketing team.
Marketing & Promotion of ZIP Launchpad & Lavin Entrepreneurship Program:
Entrepreneurship Initiatives Marketing Specialist:
- Annually supports the creation of a marketing plan with input from Program Managers.
- Supports the setting of annual metrics (KPIs) for the number of ZIP Launchpad & Lavin Entrepreneurship Program applications, marketing analytics, student engagement (events and special programs), and more. *Marketing analytics include but are not limited to engagement on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and other platforms, paid advertisement on Meta, and Linkedin.
- Supports the maintenance of the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center website (direction for Lavin Center Program Manager).
- Responsible for the maintenance of the Lavin and ZIP Launchpad brand guidelines.
- Oversees the design of all marketing and promotional materials such as flyers, handouts, video content, and digital marketing.
- Responsible for the Entrepreneurship Passport Program, communicating with participating faculty, overseeing the technical implementation, and utilizing it as a marketing tool.
- Takes the lead on and operates all platforms utilized in the ZIP Launchpad application cycle for both marketing, application processing, and applicant communication and supports the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center in these activities (with direction for Lavin Program Manager).
- Implements the ZIP Launchpad and Lavin Entrepreneurship Center email marketing strategy using MailChimp (or other tools) and the university all-campus email platform to meet the organization’s key metrics.
- Tracks an annual marketing budget for ZIP Launchpad and Lavin Entrepreneurship Center.
Entrepreneurship Initiatives Marketing Lead:
- Annually creates marketing plan with input from Program Managers.
- Establishes annual metrics (KPIs) for the number of ZIP Launchpad & Lavin Entrepreneurship Program applications, marketing analytics, student engagement (events and special programs), and more. *Marketing analytics include but are not limited to engagement on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and other platforms, paid advertisement on Meta, and Linkedin.
- Supports the maintenance of the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center website (direction for Lavin Center Program Manager).
- Responsible for the creation, maintenance, and enforcement of the Lavin and ZIP Launchpad brand guidelines.
- Oversees the design of all marketing and promotional materials such as flyers, handouts, video content, and digital marketing.
- Responsible for the Entrepreneurship Passport Program, communicating with participating faculty, overseeing the technical implementation, and utilizing it as a marketing tool.
- Takes the lead on and operates all platforms utilized in the ZIP Launchpad application cycle for both marketing, application processing, and applicant communication and supports the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center in these activities (with direction for Lavin Program Manager).
- Oversees the ZIP Launchpad and Lavin Entrepreneurship Center email marketing strategy using MailChimp (or other tools) and the university all-campus email platform to meet the organization’s key metrics.
- Tracks an annual marketing budget for ZIP Launchpad and Lavin Entrepreneurship Center.
Marketing & Promotion of ZIP Launchpad
Entrepreneurshi p Initiatives Marketing Specialist:
- Provides support to ZIP Launchpad teams on their social media paid advertisements and analytics.
- Responsible for ensuring all content on the ZIP Launchpad website is current and is updated regularly using HTML/CSS or other tools.
Entrepreneurship Initiatives Marketing Lead:
- Performs an in-depth analysis annually of the efficacy of the ZIP Launchpad website based on analytics to determine changes required to improve engagement and make necessary changes.
- Provides support to ZIP Launchpad teams on their social media paid advertisements and analytics.
- Responsible for ensuring all content on the ZIP Launchpad website is current and is updated regularly using HTML/CSS or other tools.
Lead Support (20%)
The Entrepreneurship Initiatives Marketing Specialist, under the ZIP Launchpad Program Manager, is responsible for leading a team of new student assistants each semester (as funding allows) to aid in the marketing activities required to meet the organization’s metric-driven goals.
Entrepreneurshi p Initiatives Marketing Specialist Or Lead:
- Recruits, trains, and manages a team of interns (as funding allows) each semester to perform marketing, promotion, and clerical work of average difficulty.
- Assigns and review work related to administrative and marketing tasks to the intern team.
Administrative Support (15%)
The Entrepreneurship Initiatives Marketing Specialist I, under the ZIP Launchpad Program Manager, regularly aids in and takes initiative in the preparation and execution of various clerical and administrative work to support the entrepreneurship initiatives.
Administrative Support of SDSU Entrepreneurship Initiatives
Entrepreneurshi p Initiatives Marketing Specialist Or Lead:
- Supports CRM use for the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center, SDSU TTO office, and San Diego Techstars powered by SDSU for data storage and analysis.
- Supports San Diego Techstars powered by SDSU and the SDSU TTO office with various administrative work.
- Supports ZIP Launchpad & the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center development activities by writing and administering emails, keeping development updated on prospect communication, and other related duties.
Administrative Support of ZIP Launchpad
Entrepreneurshi p Initiatives Marketing Specialist:
- Oversees the administration of required agreements for program participants.
- Administers surveys (semesterly and annually) to current and past program participants.
- Responsible for the CRM (SalesForce) for data storage and reporting.
Entrepreneurship Initiatives Marketing Lead:
- Oversees the administration of required agreements for program participants.
- Creates, administers, and analyzes surveys (semesterly and annually) to current and past program participants.
- Responsible for the CRM (SalesForce) for data storage and reporting.
Other Duties and Responsibilities as Assigned (5%)
- Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director and Program Manager.
Qualifications
Knowledge & Abilities
Entrepreneurshi p Initiatives Marketing Specialist Or Lead:
- Strong Public Speaking Skills
- Thorough written and oral communication skills, including English grammar, spelling, and punctuation
- Ability to apply independent judgment, discretion, and initiative to address problems and develop solutions;
- Ability to perform standard arithmetic functions;
- Competence in understanding, interpreting, and communicating procedures, policies, information, ideas, and instructions
- Fluency in using standard office software packages
Project Specific Knowledge And Abilities
- Basic working knowledge of web design and editing
- Highly organized and able to multitask
Education/Experience
Entrepreneurshi p Initiatives Marketing Specialist:
- Equivalent to a bachelors degree, which includes relevant coursework in the Marketing or related field.
- Two years of related professional or technical experience.
Entrepreneurshi p Initiatives Marketing Lead:
- Equivalent to a bachelors degree, which includes relevant coursework in Marketing or related field.
- Three years of related professional or technical experience.
Preferred Qualifications And Special Skills:
- Basic working knowledge of Salesforce, Canva, F6s, MailChimp and Social Media Advertising
- Basic understanding of entrepreneurship at SDSU
- Proficiency in Google Data Studio and Analytics
- Experience providing oversight to student interns
- Graduate (BS or BE) from SDSU
ADDITIONAL APPLICANT INFORMATION
- Candidate must reside in California and live in a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
- Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on Background Check results (including a criminal record check).
- San Diego State University Research Foundation is an EEO/AA/Disability/Vets/Title IX Employer.
