Posted: January 31, 2010

Job Title: Chief Executive Officer, LeapFrog Fund
Reports to: LeapFrog Board of Directors

Background
New Orleans, known globally for its unique culture and rich history, has emerged from the challenges of Hurricane Katrina with a powerful new aspect to its identity: innovation hotspot. Entrepreneur magazine ran a cover story calling New Orleans “the blueprint for economic recovery;” FastCompany called the Big Easy one of the “fastest” cities in America; and young people are flocking to the “New” New Orleans in droves for every one older professional who left after the storm, two younger professionals have moved in. Attracted by the opportunity to not only rebuild, but also reinvent, a great American city, entrepreneurs and innovators are helping New Orleans leap-frog from a bastion of history to a vanguard of new ideas and new energy.

LeapFrog Fund
This remarkable combination of ideas and energy requires support. LeapFrog Fund is a non-profit 501©(3) organization, established by New Orleans business and financial leaders to provide this support: LeapFrog will accelerate the growth of early-stage, innovative businesses into venture-ready companies by providing a continuum of capital and technical assistance to entrepreneurs. LeapFrog’s mission is to foster a thriving
entrepreneurial economy of innovative companies that will create jobs and economic prosperity for Greater New Orleans. At the heart of LeapFrog’s activities will be an “evergreen” venture development fund which will provide seed capital and business assistance for early-stage businesses that demonstrate significant growth potential. All financial returns from investments made by LeapFrog will be reinvested in other promising early-stage companies.

LeapFrog is based on venture development funds that have successfully sparked entrepreneurial activity and innovation in other U.S. cities, including Cleveland, Philadelphia and New York.

Position Summary
The LeapFrog CEO position requires an experienced business professional with executive leadership skills, significant personal and professional experience with entrepreneurship and the ability to manage a complex organization day-to-day while interfacing with a wide range of partners, supporters and the community.

Primary Responsibilities
? Develop investment plan and implementation strategy for LeapFrog, including strategic design, investment philosophy, investment / credit policy, management structure, and all other related strategic responsibilities.
? Assure that LeapFrog will have the necessary financial resources available to realize its operational goals. This work extends across all relevant constituencies including government, the private sector, foundations and individuals.
? Implement the strategy through the launch and maintenance of LeapFrog, including recruitment and hiring of necessary staff.
? Manage portfolio, including oversight of: research on investment opportunities, due diligence on investment targets, and execution of all investment transactions. Periodic reporting of results to LeapFrog’s board of directors.
? Oversee evaluation of economic and market conditions and overall portfolio positions, recommending adjustment when needed; assessing partnerships, joint ventures, and other investment opportunities with respect to stated mission and objectives of LeapFrog.
? Engage with individual board members and committees in order to maximize the benefits of the board.
? Serve as the “face” of LeapFrog, engaging in marketing and public relations activities in order to educate all stakeholders and further the mission of the organization.

Performance Goals
? Objective Goals: – Annually approved goals and objectives, proposed by management and accepted by the board.
? Subjective Goals / Ratings: – Subjective performance evaluations to be based upon 360 degree feedback from direct reports, the full board and board officers.

Qualifications and Requirements
? 10+ years business experience, with significant start-up experienced required.
? Direct experience in investment analysis and investment processes required.
? Breadth of technology experience preferred.
? Strong program management experience.
? Strong process management and people management skills.
? Minimum of a bachelor’s degree required; MBA, JD or other advanced degree
preferred.

Attributes
? Significant and exemplary leadership experience in complex operating environments.
? Personal and professional commitment to the vision and mission of LeapFrog.
? Strong CEO-level and management skills.
? The ability to attract, manage and incentivize a highly capable management team.
? Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
? Highest personal integrity.
? Entrepreneurial passion.

Please submit all applications to:
Greater New Orleans, Inc.
C/O Nicole Palmer
365 Canal Street, Suite 2300
New Orleans, LA 70130