Now Hiring

NC IDEA is an independent private (nonprofit) foundation that offers grants and programs to serve primarily two groups: individuals (founders) attempting to start and scale companies of high economic potential (defined by job creation and revenue growth) and organizations that help individuals start and scale companies of high economic potential. Our team is collaborative, open, and driven to serve the North Carolina entrepreneurial community. Detailed information about our activities can be found at www.ncidea.org.

Over the years, our efforts have helped start and grow nearly 600 companies around the state of North Carolina. Those companies have created over 4,300 jobs, raised hundreds of millions in additional funding, and generated significant tax revenues for the state. Dozens of our funded companies have been subsequently acquired, generating wealth for founders and early employees while creating considerable investment returns for private equity funds. Hundreds more continue to create great jobs while strengthening the communities where they reside and operate. 

What we have learned from our work is that financial resources alone are insufficient in helping individuals start and grow high-potential companies. That is why we offer programs in addition to funding. Programmatically supporting more founders of diverse backgrounds and experience and from underserved communities will result in more jobs, increased tax revenue, and wealth creation, all important elements for having equitable economic development outcomes. 

For these reasons, we are seeking to add a member to our team to help us increase the impact of our work by managing our programs to help the people of North Carolina achieve their entrepreneurial potential.

Job Description

This hire will help manage and administer programs that provide education, training, and mentoring for individuals seeking to start and grow companies in North Carolina. As our grant programs are tightly coordinated, this person will work closely with the entire team to support entrepreneurs. This hire will report directly to the Senior Director of Programs.

Key Duties of this role include:

• General program support, management, and evolution for all entrepreneur programming, including customer discovery curriculum
• NC IDEA grant (NC IDEA MICRO, in particular) programming and selection/support
• Support of NC IDEA MINDSET (Ice House programming) and management of strategic partnerships that share our values to help the people of North Carolina achieve their entrepreneurial potential
• Coaching and mentoring entrepreneurs and supporting ECOSYSTEM partners that do likewise
• Supporting other programmatic efforts and office administration as needed

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This role will also help us evaluate and augment all our efforts to better scale and positively impact the entrepreneurs and related Entrepreneurial Support Organizations we partner with across North Carolina. This hire will ideally reside in the Triangle NC area (to allow for three days/week of in-office work), but we will consider applicants residing in other areas of NC as long as the individual can work in-office on designated days.

Qualifications:

Based upon our experience to date, we believe the individual that would best complement our efforts and culturally fit with our team of dedicated high-functioning professionals would be someone with most or all the following: 

• Minimum five years of professional work experience
• Experience working in or supporting startup companies
• Experience in, or with, economic development organizations and/or academic practice areas focused on practical and applied entrepreneurship education
• Hands-on experience with community engagement initiatives
• Experience creating, leading, and managing programs targeting diverse groups, including SEDI people of color, women, rural and low-income individuals
• Curiosity about evolving entrepreneurial support best practices
• Authentic belief in the value of building economically equitable communities
• A shared value in our audacious goals to economically empower people of North Carolina through entrepreneurship