Sr. Manager, Startup Deployment

Responsibilities

• Support the sourcing, evaluation, and onboarding of startups with Newlab’s global membership and commercialization teams, aligned with Newlab New Orleans’ platform focus areas
• Serve as a primary point of contact for startups as they explore Louisiana-based market entry, including pilots, demonstrations, or early deployment opportunities
• Support technical and project-level diligence on startups to assess defensibility and viability of local deployment
• Work with startup members to map commercialization and supply chain requirements and identify where Newlab can provide targeted support to de-risk market entry and scale-up
• Help translate startup technical requirements (e.g. power, heat, water, siting, feedstocks, permitting considerations) into feasible local deployment pathways
• Cook up site visits, technical scoping discussions, and early feasibility assessments with startups and regional ecosystem partners

Economic Development and Stakeholder Engagement

• Engage regularly with state and local economic development organizations, workforce partners, and public agencies to maintain a strong understanding of relevant policies, programs, incentives, funding mechanisms, and other relevant public resources
• Provide hands-on support to help startup members navigate, identify, and unlock incentives, grants, and other public-sector resources to accelerate commercialization and/or project development outcomes
• Serve as a translational layer between startup members and regional stakeholders; help prepare materials for key meetings, site discussions, and/or public-private working sessions

Technical and Ecosystem Coordination

• Maintain an index of key sites, supply chain partners, and other key resources that can be activated for specific startup / project attraction opportunities
• Work with utilities, site owners, industrial partners, and infrastructure providers to align startup needs with available assets
• Identify and document gaps in infrastructure or resources that could impact startup attraction and commercialization outcomes
• Support the identification and activation of shared infrastructure, demonstration sites, and pilot-ready facilities across the region
• Track and document technical assumptions, constraints, and deployment requirements for startup projects to inform the development of policies and public-private funding mechanisms

Platform Reporting, Data Tracking and Project Management

• Support location-based reporting by aggregating key data and insights tied to startup attraction, localization, and deployment activity
• Support the development of repeatable localization playbooks including key database frameworks, templates, and internal processes
• Contribute to market research on technology trends, regional competitiveness, and Louisiana’s value proposition for physical technology startups
• Collaborate closely with Commercialization, Membership, and Operations teams to ensure Platform capacity and resources are aligned to support startup localization and scale-up

Attributes and Skills

• Builder mentality with demonstrated founder empathy and understanding of technology commercialization, including a track record of working with early-stage startups
• Technical fluency and comfort engaging on topics such as energy systems, industrial processes, infrastructure requirements, or regulated environments
• Strong project management skills and ability to coordinate across multiple stakeholders
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Interest in place-based economic development and startup-driven industrial innovation
• Experience building and managing relationships with diverse public and private sector stakeholders
• Deep network across the Louisiana and the broader Gulf South with an intrinsic understanding of business and cultural norms in the region
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to operate and deliver within a fast-paced environment

Experience

• 5-7 years of experience
• Experience working with or for venture-backed startups
• Familiarity with Louisiana’s industrial, energy, maritime, or manufacturing ecosystems
• Exposure to pilot projects, demonstrations, or first-of-a-kind deployments
• Experience engaging with utilities, ports, industrial sites, and public-sector partners
• Background in engineering, energy systems, advanced manufacturing, or a related technical field

Compensation

$115,000-$150,000
Eligible for bonus program
Comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits

EEO Employer

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time