Venture Capitalist jobs in Arkansas

Program Manager, Innovation

Little Rock / Innovation / Full-Time

About The Venture Center

Established in 2014, The Venture Center is a globally recognized Arkansas-based nonprofit entrepreneurial support organization (ESO) that accelerates success for start-up founders, small business owners and corporate innovators through award-winning entrepreneurship programs, platforms and partnerships. In addition to providing opportunities to local entrepreneurs from any industry, we are the home of the award-winning, global FIS Fintech Accelerator.

About this Role

The Venture Center team is growing and we’re looking for an experienced Program Manager to plan and execute our Innovation programs. Reporting to the VP of Strategic Partnership Programs, the Program Manager will help plan and execute the goals, guidelines and strategies for the daily operations of the Innovation programs. In this role, you’ll work within the innovation team to ensure objectives are being met in the areas of participant satisfaction, program quality, and team member performance. You’ll also work closely with corporate partners and stakeholders to ensure the alignment of their goals with the capabilities and functions of the cohort companies, creating space for connection and potential partnerships among these organizations. If you are a high-capacity, well-organized manager of people, processes, and programs and would enjoy planning and delivering a consistent flow of engaging and valuable experiences and connections for the entrepreneurs we serve, then you’re in the right spot!

Responsibilities

• Supporting the VP of Strategic Partnership Programs in day-to-day activities
• Participating in the planning of innovation program strategies to achieve short and long-term goals
• Organizing and participating in the cohort selection process with C-suite executives
• Overseeing the activities of the Project Manager
• Using survey activity and stakeholder data to inform decisions about programs
• Participating in program event planning
• Planning and executing Kickoffs, Demo Days, in-office programs, offsites and other organized events
• Leading corporate partner and stakeholder participation in innovation programs by cultivating and maintaining relationships
• Coordinating and participating in program meetings with key partners, stakeholders, subject matter experts and more
• Engaging with company founders during meetings and events to collect and provide feedback, updates, and insights
• Engaging with varying enterprise stakeholders including but not limited to executives, senior leadership, management, and front-line staff to collect and provide feedback, updates, and insights.
• Managing relationships with participants, alumni and stakeholders
• Creating and managing timelines of all innovation programs and supporting documentation
• Create and deliver supporting documentation, presentations, analysis, etc in support of innovation programs
• Ensuring program documents are shared with the team in the appropriate Google Drive folder
• Reviewing survey and process reporting to evaluate program effectiveness and suggest improvements
• Assessing risks to the schedule proactively and troubleshooting when issues arise
• Enhancing the innovation program’s public profile at events, speaking engagements and more
• Cross-collaboration with entrepreneur programs team when necessary
• Supporting additional projects as related to strategic goals of Accelerators

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or master's degree in business, related field or relevant experience
• 3 years of experience managing projects/programs
• Experience as an entrepreneur or working with entrepreneurs 
• Proven experience in program management
• Professional presentation and communication skills
• Proven ability to engage and collaborate with critical stakeholders
• Proven experience managing a team
• Understanding of project management
• Must be willing to participate in after-hour events and programs (approx. 1-2 per month)
• Occasional travel (5%)

Bonus

• Experience working with venture-backed startups
• Experience working with large enterprises at varying operational levels (Executive, Management, Front-line, etc.)
• Experience managing events (live and virtual)
• Experience using work management systems such as Asana, Monday, etc.
• Experience with Google Workspace
• Experience with Microsoft Office
• Project management certification

Benefits

• Dental Insurance
• Health Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Downtown Parking
• Hybrid Schedule
• 13 Paid Holidays Flexible PTO
• Paid Parental Leave

EEOC Statement

The Venture Center is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital or familial status, disability, genetic information, age, military service, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We believe that our differences are our strengths and we know that diversity builds a better team.