Innovation Product Associate

Job Summary

The Economic Transformation Division’s mission is to accelerate the growth of New Jersey’s economy by implementing initiatives that enhance the State’s long-term economic competitiveness and establish New Jersey as an innovation leader within high job growth strategic sectors, including life sciences and technology, transportation and logistics, clean energy, film, digital media, offshore wind, financial services, and advanced manufacturing. The Technology Innovation Products department delivers unique programs to create and sustain job growth in businesses within each of these key sectors.  The team that delivers these products are focused on effective execution combined with a positive market impact.

The Innovation Product Associate support the implementation and day-to-day administration of Innovative Programs, including the Angel Investor Tax Credit, NOL, , , Angel Match Program and other initiatives including the automation of reports(Power BI, CRM) . This role assists senior staff with application processing, data entry, research, and stakeholder communications, and helps maintain accurate program records and reports across the Technology Innovation Products team and the broader NJEDA organization.

$61,600 - 65,450

Note: The NJEDA currently offers a hybrid work schedule for up to 2 days of telecommute work from home. To participate, you will be required to have high speed home internet access and a managers approval. This program does not supersede the "New Jersey First Act", which requires newly hired NJEDA employees to establish and then maintain, principal residence in the State of New Jersey.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Supports Senior Staff and other departmental Staff with the launch and administration of the department’s suite of Innovation Programs, including scheduling, documentation preparation, and follow-up tasks.
• Conducts initial review of program applications using established checklists and route materials through the approval process under the guidance of senior staff. Responds to routine inquiries from internal and external stakeholders regarding program requirements, timelines, and application status, escalating complex questions as needed.
• Enters and updates application and participant data in CRM database and other systems, helping to maintain data accuracy and completeness.
• Generates standard reports and summaries from internal systems to support program tracking and basic analysis.
• Provides logistical and administrative support for outreach activities, webinars, and events with potential corporate partners, investors, and early-stage businesses (coordinating invites, materials, and sign-in).
• Conducts basic research on companies, industries, and programs to support project-based work and internal briefings.
• Assists with updates to program documents, forms, and procedures as directed by senior staff to reflect changes in legislation, policy, or internal processes.
• Attends team meetings and provides status updates on assigned tasks, performs other duties and special projects as assigned.
• Performs other duties and special projects, as may be assigned.
•  

Skills and Abilities

Problem solving and communication

• Demonstrated ability to organize work, follow detailed procedures, and complete tasks accurately and on time in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to identify straightforward issues in applications or processes and raise them appropriately to senior staff.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including clear emails and basic presentation materials for internal and external audiences.
• Ability to work effectively as part of the  team and with colleagues across departments

Ability to build industry expertise

• Demonstrated interest in economic development, innovation, or public policy, and willingness to learn about NJEDA programs and key industry sectors.
• Ability to conduct basic research and summarize findings to support team projects and program improvements.
• Work style and customer orientationDemonstrated interest in economic development, innovation, and public policy, and willingness to learn about NJEDA programs and key industry sectors.
• Ability to conduct basic research and summarize findings to support team projects and program improvements.

Professionalism

• Demonstrated interest in economic development, innovation, and public policy, and willingness to learn about NJEDA programs and key industry sectors.
• Ability to conduct basic research and summarize findings to support team projects and program improvements.

Preferred Qualifications

Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in a relevant field such as business, public administration,finance, economics or policy or equivalent combination of education and experince.
• One to two years of professional experience or substantial internship experience in a business, government, nonprofit, or similar professional setting with duties such as project coordination, customer service, or administrative support.
• Experience in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment that emphasizes problem solving, and communication.
• Preference for individuals with background in project managment, program development, public policy development, corporate finance, and/or financial analysis.

 Advanced degree or industry specific certification may be substituted for 1 year of experience.

Physical Demands

• Minimal
• Ability to work outside normal business hours, as needed

Travel

• As necessary to events, meetings, businesses, etc.

Certificates and Licenses Required

• License: Staff are required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essentials duties of the position.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job description. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope, general nature and level of work performed by job holders within this job.  This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.

Your employment at NJEDA is voluntary and subject to termination by you or NJEDA at will, with or without cause, or with or without notice, at any time.  Nothing in this job description shall be interpreted to conflict, eliminate or modify the employment-at-will status of NJEDA employees. 

This position is considered exempt and is excluded from minimum wage, overtime regulations, and other rights and protections afforded nonexempt workers under the FLSA.

NJEDA reserves the right to amend/revise this job description as necessary to meet current and changing business needs.

Equal Opportunity Employer

NJ SAME Program

Position Requirements

• Foreign degrees/transcripts must be evaluated by a reputable evaluation service at your own expense and must be submitted prior to a start date. If this cannot be provided within 21 days of an offer the offer will be rescinded.
• Must comply with the “New Jersey First Act” which requires employees hired after September 1, 2011 to reside in New Jersey. Non-New Jersey resident employees must relocate to New Jersey within one year of their date of hire and provide proof of residency to Human Resources.
• Must complete an Outside Activity Questionnaire (disclosure of outside office or employment) on an annual basis.
• Must review the required NJ State Ethics Guidelines found on the state website.

#LI-KH1