Manager, Ray of Hope Accelerator

Essential Functions

• Ray of Hope Accelerator Program Management (40%)
  • Manage implementation of the annual Ray of Hope Accelerator in alignment with organizational strategy and program objectives.
  • Manage the full participant lifecycle, including recruitment, eligibility criteria and conflict of interest mitigation, selection, candidate reviews, onboarding, program delivery, and alumni engagement.
  • Continuously refine program curriculum, content, and participant experience based on cohort feedback, emerging industry needs, and program outcomes.
  • Cook up virtual and in-person accelerator programming, including retreat, workshops, mentorship, networking opportunities, and Demo Day.
  • Maintain and continuously improve program systems, processes, tools, and documentation.
  • Ensure an exceptional participant experience throughout all phases of the accelerator.
  • Conduct annual accelerator impact reporting utilizing impact assessment protocols.
  • Collaborate with Communication and Impact team members to effectively tell the story of the Ray of Hope participants, program, and alumni.
• Startup Recruitment and Selection (25%)
  • Manage annual startup recruitment efforts to ensure a strong, diverse, and mission-aligned applicant pool.
  • Form annual accelerator selection committee.
  • Cook up application review processes, due diligence activities, and Selection Committee engagement.
  • Support relationships with startup pipeline partners, ecosystem organizations, universities, accelerators, and innovation networks.
  • Monitor trends within biomimicry, climate innovation, regenerative design, and nature-inspired entrepreneurship to inform recruitment strategies.
• Program Operations, Stakeholder Engagement, and Coordination (20%)
  • Maintain effective systems, processes, reporting, budgeting, and stakeholder coordination to support successful program delivery and participant outcomes.
  • Cultivate and steward productive relationships with mentors, speakers, reviewers, investors, volunteers, partners, and other stakeholders to strengthen program quality and impact.
  • Cook up cross-functional collaboration and resources across staff, contractors, volunteers, and organizational teams to ensure aligned execution and visibility of program priorities.
  • Monitor program performance, participant experience, and operational effectiveness, identifying and implementing improvements that enhance efficiency, impact, and scalability.
• Alumni and Ecosystem Development (15%)
  • Support development of alumni engagement program as part of accelerator.
  • Manage ongoing engagement with accelerator alumni.
  • Support alumni through community-building opportunities, introductions, resource sharing, and storytelling efforts.
  • Collect and maintain data on participant and alumni business, funding, adoption, and environmental impact outcomes.

Qualifications

• Education and Experience
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience required.
  • 5+ years project management experience, including complex projects with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
  • 5+ years of experience in entrepreneurship support, non-profit accelerators, innovation ecosystems, venture development, or related fields.
  • Experience coordinating and facilitating multi day on-site retreats, cohort-based programs, or educational experiences.
  • Knowledge of impact assessment protocols relevant to climate change, water, biodiversity, and waste.
  • Knowledge of biomimicry as demonstrated by degree, certificate, or course completion.
• Skills/Abilities
  • Exceptional project management and organizational skills.
  • Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management capabilities.
  • Ability to balance strategic thinking with detailed execution.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
  • Comfortable working independently while collaborating across a remote team and accelerator network.
  • Interest in biomimicry, climate solutions, regenerative systems, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
  • Proficiency with project management and collaboration tools including Asana, Google Workspace, Zoom, Airtable, and related platforms.
• Physical Requirements
  • Activities that occur constantly are communicating effectively with others to exchange information; assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work; repeating motions efficiently that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers; remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.
  • Activities that occur occasionally are moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another; adjusting or moving objects less than 50 pounds in all directions.

Comp & Benefits

• Salary is determined based on internal equity; internal salary ranges; market data/ranges; applicant’s skills; prior relevant experience; certain degrees or certifications, etc. The salary for this position ranges: $65-80k
• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Enjoy 100% coverage for employees for medical/dental/vision provided by Biomimicry Institute. (Please note, employees are responsible for coverage for spouses and/or dependents.)
• Retirement Plan: Begin your retirement savings after just 6 months of employment.
• Paid Time Off (PTO): Benefit from our generous PTO policy, allowing you to recharge and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
• Paid Holidays: Take advantage of paid holidays as outlined in our Employee Handbook.
• Home Office Stipend: Receive a monthly stipend to help support your home office setup.