Executive Director (STATION NWA)

About the role

This is a role for a connector, a visionary, and a builder ready to make Northwest Arkansas a nationally recognized home for innovation. STATION NWA is a new nonprofit entity launching in Bentonville, AR to increase connectivity between Northwest Arkansas' (NWA) entrepreneurial ecosystem and the rest of the country, with a special focus on dual-use and deep tech and its direct connection to innovation within manufacturing, supply chain and logistics.

Responsibilities

• Lead and Grow STATION NWA: Execute a strategic plan to position Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas as a hub for dual-use, manufacturing, and supply chain innovation.
• Support Entrepreneurs: Facilitate mentorship and expertise for local entrepreneurs, connecting them with their next investors, mentors, customers and partners.
• Host High-Impact Programs: Deliver programming tailored to the needs of Northwest Arkansas entrepreneurial community
• Drive Investment and Relocation: Help raise $1M for NWA startups and attract three businesses to establish a local presence.
• Secure Station Sustainability: Raise a minimum of $1M in funding to grow Station NWA’s reach and long-term impact

Requirements

• You are a visionary builder who turns big ideas into reality, driving innovation and execution across technology, defense, and manufacturing sectors in fast-growing regions like Northwest Arkansas.
• You are a connector of ecosystems, building powerful partnerships across government, academia, and industry to elevate Bentonville as a national center for dual-use and supply chain innovation.
• You are a dealmaker and champion, confident in asking for support, closing funding, and mobilizing resources that fuel founders and transform communities.
• You are a storyteller with influence, able to inspire stakeholders, attract investment, and expand STATION NWA’s visibility across Arkansas and beyond.
• You are calm in the chaos, thriving in fast-paced environments while keeping a clear focus on long-term impact for the region’s innovation economy.
• You check your email in the evenings and are available to work during evening events and over the weekends when there is a tight deadline. You do what it takes to get the job done.

About our team

• We have a passion for startups and technology.
• We are transparent and we over-communicate.
• We have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• We communicate when we are not able to meet a deadline and suggest a solution.
• We are professional and presentable and greet everyone cheerfully. We’re ready to deal with an immature student, a pushy salesperson, top VC’s, a fortune 500 CEO, and even the President of the United States.
• We are excited to work in Bentonville, Arkansas and have reliable transportation.
• We have a quiet place where we can work remotely with fast internet.
• We are security aware. We have a passcode on our computers and phones and use a password manager.
• We are able to efficiently use the Google suite of productivity tools (Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides).
• We are available to work at CF House during SXSW (Spring Break), DREAMCON (one week long staff summits twice a year), and Austin Tech Week.
• We get to Inbox Zero every day.

Benefits

• 4 weeks paid time off (one week is between Christmas and New Year’s)
• Personal health, vision and dental insurance paid 100% by STATION NWA
• Additional benefits such as 401k program (50% company matching), life insurance, short & long term disability and and employee assistance program
• Parental leave including 10 weeks paid leave for birthing parents and 4 weeks paid leave for non-birthing parents
• $1,000 personal innovation budget on your first year anniversary and then an additional $500 each anniversary thereafter
• Coworking membership at Capital Factory with garage parking space, metro pass, or rideshare credits and access to the onsite gym
• A priceless network
• Yearly salary of $150,000 plus OTE