AlphaLab Health Program Manager Consultant - Innovation Works, Inc.

AlphaLab Health Program Manager Consultant – Scope of Work

Consulting Opportunity: AlphaLab Health Program Manager (Contract Role)

Innovation Works is seeking a consultant to serve as Interim AlphaLab Health Program Manager from August 15 to December 31, 2025. This full-time role will focus on cohort selection, curriculum development, and founder support, while also training and onboarding a new full-time Program Manager. This is a unique opportunity to make a strategic impact on Pittsburgh’s growing life sciences ecosystem, collaborate with healthcare partners like AHN, and contribute to the success of promising startups solving major challenges in health and medicine.

Summary

Innovation Works recommends engaging a full-time consultant from August 15 to December 31, 2025, to provide critical leadership and continuity for the AlphaLab Health program during a pivotal transition period. Maria brings extensive institutional knowledge, strong relationships with founders, and a proven track record in life sciences programming. Her continued involvement will ensure forward momentum across key initiatives while supporting the onboarding of a new Program Manager.

Scope of Responsibilities

1. Accelerator Company Selection & Diligence
The successful candidate will lead the Fall 2025 AlphaLab Health cohort selection, including:

• Reviewing applications (closing late July), conducting interviews (August), and leading due diligence and final selection (September–October).
• Managing founder communications and selection operations to ensure a professional and seamless applicant experience.
• Supporting selection-related operations in collaboration with other program managers during temporary staffing gaps.

2. Onboarding and Training of Incoming Program Manager

• Provide onboarding and hands-on training for a ​​​​​full-time new hire who joins as the new AlphaLab Health Program Manager in August.
• Oversee shadowing and knowledge transfer during the cohort selection process.
• Focus areas include founder relationship management, day-to-day operations, and coordination with Allegheny Health Network (AHN).

3. Life Sciences Curriculum and Mentor Development

• Continue leading the upgrade of AlphaLab Health’s specialized curriculum for life sciences startups.
• Source expert speakers, refine curriculum sequencing, and develop a scalable framework for future cohorts.
• Finalize and launch a new partnership-driven curriculum track with the Neuroscience Institute.
• Assess business expertise gaps within the life sciences track and identify mentors accordingly.
• Work with the IW Platform team to onboard new mentors into the Innovation Works network.

4. Additional Operations Support
Provide strategic and limited operational support across additional accelerator initiatives as needed:

• Robotics Factory Accelerate: Assist with initial cohort support while the Hardware Program Manager role remains vacant.
• UpPrize Social Innovation Challenge: Provide coordination and operational support during the active prize cycle.
• Other Duties: Support additional cross-program operational needs as assigned.

Rationale for Engagement - Interim engagement is essential to:

• Maintain program quality and continuity during key transitions.
• Support founder and partner relationships, especially with AHN.
• Ensure smooth onboarding of new team leadership.
• Continue advancing AlphaLab Health’s life science-focused programming.
• Drive strategic initiatives, including the development of an Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) program.

Engagement Terms

• Duration: August 15 – December 31, 2025
• Commitment: Full-time (40 hours/week), primarily remote
• Reports to: Aaron Tainter, Director of Accelerator Programs

Please forward your information to the Vice President of Human Resources by August 10, 2025.  [email protected]