VP of Programs

Nashville Entrepreneur Center

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Job Summary

ABOUT THE NEC

The Nashville Entrepreneur Center (NEC) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 2010 to support people and businesses through all phases of the entrepreneurial lifecycle. We connect entrepreneurs with critical resources to create, launch, and grow businesses. This includes our coworking space, programs, events, mentorship, and entrepreneurial community.

The NEC is committed to leveling the playing field to make Nashville the best place for any entrepreneur to start and grow a business. Programs are a critical part of the NEC mission – identifying niche groups of entrepreneurs depending on their stage, industry, or needs, and then developing and executing an experience that connects these groups of entrepreneurs to critical resources in order to increase their likelihood of success.

Our Mission

Grounded by our values, we’re on a mission to connect entrepreneurs with critical resources to create, launch, and grow businesses. We’re proud to be a steward of Nashville’s entrepreneurial legacy by lifting the entrepreneur’s voices and telling stories that celebrate how they make our world better and teach others as they give back – keeping the cycle of entrepreneurship alive.

Our Culture

We strive to be as innovative as the founders we support. Our team is highly collaborative and flexible. We take the initiative to help each other and our community outside the bounds of department or expertise. Most importantly, we are driven to serve Nashville entrepreneurs, make entrepreneurship accessible to all, and continue our legacy of positive impact.

Our Values

• Innovative: we help turn ideas into action 
• Excellent: we strive to be exceptional, best in class
• Results-driven: we are action-oriented
• Trusted: we are reliable and approachable
• Inclusive: we make the extra effort to make sure everyone is welcome
• Adaptive: we are agile in response to changing circumstances

ABOUT THE ROLE

As the VP of Programs, you will report directly to the CEO and are a critical member of the leadership team. You are responsible for leading  a team of program managers and working collaboratively with them to ensure the successful execution of NEC programs, which include:

• PreFlight: A program for idea stage founders in any industry
• InFlight: An accelerator for founders in any industry who wish to achieve rapid growth
• Twende: An accelerator for founders of color in any industry
• Project FinTech: An accelerator for founders in the FinTech and BankTech industries
• Project Healthcare: An accelerator for high-growth founders in the healthcare industry
• Project Music & Entertainment: A peer group for founders and executives in the music industry.
• Other programs or peer groups that may be added in the future
• Amplify: Our community membership platform connecting founders to mentors and advisors

 Success measures for this role include:

• NPS from program participants that meet or exceed goals
• Earned revenue from program participants that meets or exceeds goals
• Budget management across programs to meet or exceed goals
• Collaboration to secure contributed revenue from program partners/sponsors that meets or exceeds goals
• % program participants that achieve program goals (i.e., revenue goals, team growth, new client or investor, quality pitch and deck, or advisory board addition, etc.)
• Recruitment and retention of program participants that meet or exceed goals

Job Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities:

• Serve as a liaison between the NEC leadership team and the program team, representing the interest, feedback, and needs of the program participants
• Oversee the efforts of and partner with, program managers and Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EiRs) to ensure the successful execution of each program
• Collaborate with program staff, EiRs, and advisors to identify participant needs and ensure the program design addresses those needs
• Manage the overall program budget and assist each program manager in managing theirs
• Oversee recruitment, hiring, and management of program staff
• Develop program recruiting and sales strategy, including the  sourcing of exposure opportunities, lead-sourcing, and funnel strategy
• Engage with program participants to understand their needs and develop paths/relationships to drive them toward success
• Develop and manage relationships with entrepreneurial support organizations and external stakeholders, such as partners, donors, and investors, to ensure the support of participants
• Align all programs with the overall strategic plan and direction of the NEC
• Revamp, refresh, and redesign programs as needed to achieve efficiency, and NEC goals, and to meet the needs of the NEC community
• Submit regular reports to funders
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

The ideal candidate for this position thrives in an agile environment and is:

• Able to build and maintain meaningful relationships with a variety of stakeholders
• Curious with an ability to lean into new environments and learn quickly
• Able to stay focused while navigating shifting priorities
• Highly organized, able to manage your own time and navigate shifting and growing priorities
• Committed to continuous quality improvement in all program areas

Other qualifications include:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree or above in a related field
• Demonstrated experience in fast-paced environments with a focus on non-profits, startup operations, community engagement, business development, program management, and/or continuing education
• Past experience in a key leadership role at an accelerator or incubator preferred
• Strong interest in the discourse around entrepreneurship, entrepreneur ecosystems, and venture capital
• Proven attention to detail
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills across various stakeholder groups
• Comfortable commanding a room; public speaking and community development are part of the job
• Strong emotional intelligence

Additional Information

Benefits

How to Apply

To apply, please visit: https://www.ec.co/careers/

The Nashville Entrepreneur Center values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages all genders, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. The NEC is an equal-opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws. Those applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application and/or interview process should notify a representative of the organization at hr@ec.co.

Details

• Date Posted: August 7, 2023
• Type: Full-Time
• Job Function: Executive Leadership
• Service Area: Education
• Salary Range: $90,000 - $110,000
• Working Hours: 40 hrs/wk