JOB DESCRIPTION: Programs Manager

Position Overview

The Programs Manager is responsible for coaching small business owners and non-profit leaders through our Impact Accelerator and Alumni programming. This position will also lead the management of Propeller’s events to showcase New Orleans entrepreneurs and connect them to necessary resources to grow their business and impact. Lastly, this role will be a representative, internally and externally, for our entrepreneurial support programming. We are looking for someone who has a passion for and/or knowledge of small business coaching and learning best practices for incorporating principles of equity and inclusion into business practices. The person in this role also enjoys hosting engaging and educational events that result in a high level of satisfaction for attendees and partners. This role is for someone who loves inspiring others and building community within a cohort of business leaders.

Major Responsibilities & Outcomes

The percentages below are the approximate percentage of time you would spend performing each responsibility. These estimates may be adjusted based on organizational priorities.

Direct Assistance to Entrepreneurs (60%)

• Manages Impact Accelerator experience of assigned entrepreneurs through direct coaching, coordination of technical support, project management, and troubleshooting, ensuring venture progress towards financial, social impact, and equity related goals for the program
• Supports Director of Entrepreneurship with Impact Accelerator curriculum development and implementation by researching accelerator best practices, reviewing entrepreneur feedback, and facilitating sessions on topics such as identifying customer markets, testing business models, and incorporating principles of racial equity into organizational strategies
• Leads recruitment of entrepreneurs in accordance with target portfolio mix with a focus on entrepreneurs who fit the education and water focus areas for Propeller

PitchNOLA Management (25%)

• Project manages and leads the execution of entrepreneur pitch competitions and showcases with high satisfaction from competition participants, partners, and attendees
• Leads recruitment and marketing for pitch competitions
• Manages budget through the planning period and the run-of-show on the day of the event

Event Management (15%)

• Oversees planning, preparation, and execution of partnership-based workshops and other events
• Develops and recommends the budget, marketing plans, and objectives of events
• Coordinates with Programs team members on event logistics, as needed

Organization Liaison (5%)

• Represent Propeller at entrepreneurial support organization focused meetings and speaking
• engagements, when appropriate, to provide support to our partners in the entrepreneurial community and assist in collaboration efforts
• Responsible for the development and cultivation of partnerships with like-minded organizations within water and education to support recruitment goals and foster interconnectivity among

Propeller focus areas

Critical Competencies

• Personal qualities of emotional intelligence and maturity, humility, and unwavering commitment to Propeller’s mission
• Written and verbal familiarity in the history of structural racism in the US and its current manifestations in New Orleans and nationally, particularly in the area of business development.

Fluency in this area is highly desired

• Strong writing and meeting facilitation skills
• Strong project management skills to ensure smooth execution of programming events and effectively manage project consultants and contractors
• Strong interest and passion in supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses in New Orleans
• Ability to build trust and credibility in relationships by demonstrating consistency between words and actions
• Ability to work with partner organizations to surface areas of values alignment, develop shared goals, and execute plans to achieve a shared vision
• Self-motivated, innovative, and works with considerable independence within the context of an overall strategy and collaborative team

Preferred Experience

• Bachelor's related to business or equivalent knowledge + 4-6 years, or Master of Business Administration or equivalent knowledge + 2-4 years’ experience
• Experience working with small businesses and non-profit organizations to support business development through principles of diversity, equity and inclusion
• Experience navigating professional networks in Propeller’s focus areas, particularly in the areas of water and education, and ability to build professional relationships
• Experience working in an organization with a values-driven culture that prioritizes racial equity, diversity, and inclusion

Manager: Erik Paskewich, Director of Entrepreneurship

Compensation: $57,904 - $67,210. Propeller also offers a competitive benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision insurance, long- and short-term disability insurance, retirement, paid time off, and professional development.

Location: New Orleans, LA. Applicants must be located or willing to relocate to New Orleans. Remote work is possible until July 1, 2021. Travel with some evening and weekend work required.

Position Type: This is a salaried and exempt position.

Start Date: June 2021

To Apply

Application Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We may close the application at any point, so we encourage anyone interested to apply as soon as possible.

Application Directions: Apply through the external link (here) presenting your resume, cover letter, and responses to the questions below. In your cover letter, please explain how you heard about Propeller and your interest and qualifications in the position. You can address a cover letter to Erik Paskewich who is the hiring manager for this position.

1. What will be your greatest strength in this role? In what way will you need to grow the most to be successful in this role? (2-4 sentences)
2. What gives you energy in your current work? What drains your energy in your current work? (2-4 sentences)
3. Propeller designs, develops, and executes entrepreneurial programming to grow and support entrepreneurs to tackle social and environmental disparities. When designing programming, what strategies or approaches might you use to ensure that programming aligns closely with the entrepreneurial needs of our community? (3-5 sentences)
4. Why are you passionate about entrepreneurship and small businesses? (2-4 sentences)
5. What are your salary requirements? (1-2 sentences)

About Propeller: A Force for Social Innovation

Propeller: A Force for Social Innovation is a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to supporting social innovation in New Orleans. Our mission is to grow and support entrepreneurs to tackle social and environmental disparities. We envision a powerful community of diverse entrepreneurs and stakeholders working together for a more equitable future where everyone can lead healthy, fulfilling lives free of racism, poverty, and other systems of oppression.

Our strategy is to build a critical mass of businesses and nonprofits working to tackle disparities in our five areas of focus: community economic development, education, food, health, and water. Propeller challenges inequitable systems that perpetuate racial disparities in our five areas of focus by working at the institutional level in partnership with entrepreneurs committed to racial equity.

Propeller and its Ventures have received local and national recognition in The New York Times, TIME, Los Angeles Times, Entrepreneur, Fast Company, Wired, Forbes, The Advocate and The Times Picayune. To learn more about Propeller, visit gopropeller.org.

Propeller is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and has a strong commitment to building a diverse and inclusive team.