Are you an event planning guru with an interest in startups and entrepreneurship? Are you a strong community builder who cares deeply about fostering inclusive environments? Then keep reading ‘cause we’re looking for you!
As Venture For America’s Senior Program Manager, you will be responsible for planning and executing VFA’s two signature national programs - Training Camp and Redux. Training Camp is a month-long, full-time, resident program for 170 - 200 recent college grads that make up our newest class of Fellows. At Training Camp Fellows learn skills so that they can add accelerated value to their growth companies and begin business ideation as the next generation of entrepreneurs. Redux is a 4-day professional development experience for Fellows between the first and second years of their Fellowship. At Redux Fellows participate in a hackathon for business ideation and learn valuable startup leadership skills.
Training Camp and Redux take place in Detroit, MI. Our ideal candidate currently lives and works in Detroit, but we will consider candidates in cities with a large VFA Fellow and Alumni network who are willing to relocate to Detroit each summer for 8 weeks.
What you’ll do:
Manage the preparation, execution, and evaluation of Training Camp and Redux - from the nitty-gritty (ensuring all Fellows have their correct room assignments with linens) to the more exciting (designing Human-Centered Design Thinking workshops with IDEO)
Lead and/or delegate Training Camp programming sessions/workshops
Manage a ~$700K budget and ensure all aspects of the Training Camp and Redux programming remain cost-effective
Manage a summer team of 20 including VFA employees, summer contractors, and interns that work together to provide Fellows with a life-changing experience
Collaborate with the Programs Team to design new Training Camp and Redux programming based on 2019 feedback
Support the Director of Detroit (if located in a different VFA city, this would apply there) to implement local Detroit Fellow/Alumni programming to facilitate relationship-building, professional development, and community integration
Support the National Programs Team as a key player
Participate in VFA recruitment and selection events on an ongoing basis, as is expected of all team members.
What you may have already done:
Managed multiple large scale events or conferences for 150+ attendees
Led programming and/or educational experiences for large audiences
Intentionally built transformative tight-knit communities from scratch
Managed a team by effectively delegating responsibilities, developing each team member’s professional growth, and providing inspirational leadership
Completed a BA/BS and worked for 3 - 5+ years
The good stuff:
High performers at VFA are given substantial opportunity to grow and develop
You’ll earn a competitive salary, commensurate with experience
We offer a great benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), commuter benefits, flexible spending account, and gym, tech, and professional development stipends
We have a generous vacation policy, plenty of paid holidays, and regular work from home Fridays
VFA is a dynamic startup environment with varied responsibilities and a different challenge each day (we mean it – always plenty of interesting problems to work on!)
You’ll work alongside a team of exceptionally motivated, high-caliber people
About Venture for America:
Venture for America is a nonprofit fellowship program that recruits, selects, and trains highly talented recent college grads places them at startups in emerging US cities for two years of hands-on experience and provides them with access to the network and resources to become company builders and job creators. The Fellowship is highly selective, as is our team, and we’re looking for people who can jump in and make a huge impact.
How to apply:
To apply, please fill out our application. If you seem like a good fit, we will contact you with next steps.