We’re Hiring: Innovation Programs Specialist

We’re Hiring: Innovation Programs Specialist About The Organization:  As agriculture is fundamentally changing due to shifting consumer demands, climate change, and market forces, there’s an exciting opportunity to address these challenges through technology, diversity, and inclusion. AgLaunch is a nonprofit organization that works directly with farmers, agtech startups, and entrepreneurs to address issues on farms. AgLaunch envisions a transformed regional agriculture and food economy centered on farmers, innovation, and prosperity. AgLaunch is looking for an Innovation Programs Specialist to support the entrepreneurship team in managing entrepreneurship and mentor programs. The successful candidate must have experience in relationship management, accelerator and entrepreneurship programming, business coaching, planning and executing projects, managing records and external communications, and be committed to the mission of AgLaunch with a willingness to learn about all aspects of AgLaunch’s work. The Innovation Programs Specialist will be responsible for the following areas: Entrepreneurship Programming:  ● Act as Implementation leader focused on execution of entrepreneurial programming. (timelines, organizing meetings/events, communication, etc.) ● Take lead role in the planning and execution of portfolio startup update calls and actively participate in ongoing startup support activities. ● Collaborate with the E- team on strategic planning and implementation of programs like Bootcamps, AgLaunch365, mentor programs and other entrepreneurial programming. ● Help with recruiting and onboarding startups for all AgLaunch programs. ● Build relationships with partners, participants, mentors, and investors to support the AgLaunch mission. ● Develop and apply change management strategies and communication plans to ensure stakeholders and team members are informed, bought-in and executing project outcomes. Mentor Network Implementation:  ● Establish relationships with current mentors and service providers. ● Assist with building the network of mentors and service providers by meeting, vetting, and onboarding new candidates. ● Coordinate regular calls and check-ins to stay up to date with mentor programs and progress and to keep mentors connected to broader AgLaunch work. ● Maintain a database of mentor and service provider information, current projects, and mentor hours. ● Work with the E-Team and other AgLaunch staff to coordinate and oversee one-on-one mentor pairings between Aglaunch portfolio companies and the AgLaunch Mentor Network. ● Coordinating with the E-team to incorporate mentors into Aglaunch programming such as the AgLaunch365 Accelerator and Bootcamps. Farm Team Support:  ● Support the Director of Farm Innovation to execute Scope of Work (SOW) Agreements between startups and farmers. ● Oversee AgLaunch Farmers, LLC participation tracking. ● Collaborate on communication and support needed to support the AgLaunch Farmer Network members. Implementation Leadership:  ● Create and maintain file organization for programs, including agreements, contracts, and scope of work documents. ● Collaborate with AgLaunch team members to track grant deliverables/metrics and create timely, high-quality reports. ● Work with AgLaunch teams to plan and produce events such as showcase/field day events, in person accelerator programming and bootcamps. ● Liaise project members, cross-functional teams, external vendors, and other stakeholders to communicate deliverables, requirements, schedules, costs. and meeting plans. Additional Responsibilities  ● Actively participate in staff and team meetings. ● Record activities on Clockify for grant reporting (Current within 1 week or as requested). ● Submit expenses via Expensify per company guidelines. ● Learn about each of AgLaunch’s major initiatives: Farmer Network, AgLaunch365, Data Commons, Open Market Consortium, etc. ● Become proficient at AgLaunch tools: G-suite, Slack, Airtable, Clockify, Expensify. ● Build strategic planning and leadership skills through work with the AgLaunch team and on special projects. ● Constantly seek to improve your skills through education and be receptive to ongoing direction, feedback, and coaching. ● Enthusiastically support AgLaunch team in all aspects of our business Qualifications and Skills  ● Bachelor’s degree preferred; Associate’s degree will be considered. ● Valid driver’s license and current vehicle insurance. ● Excellent people skills with ability to collaborate and manage relationships with a wide stakeholder base. ● Excellent written and verbal communication skills for professional communication. ● Ability to understand strategic initiatives and implement tactically while juggling multiple ongoing projects and responsibilities. ● Demonstrated ability to organize, schedule, and manage time with attention to detail. ● Self-motivated. ● Work effectively in a virtual environment with little or no supervision. ● Operate effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced, and highly independent environment. ● Commitment to the mission and getting the job done while being flexible. ● High professional ethical standards and comfort with diversity Preferred: ● Experience with start-ups and agriculture. ● Customer relationship management (CRM) software experience. Additional Information:  ● The position is based in the Memphis, TN area, and is a hybrid of virtual and in-person with frequent in-office meetings and training, as well as occasional field days and other regional in-person events required. While position is 75% remote, candidates should live in the greater Memphis area to be available for regular in-office meetings, errands, and special events. ● Flexibility required for travel approximately 10-15 days per year, as well as occasional nights and weekends for special events and seminars. AgLaunch Offers: This is an outstanding opportunity for a role in the evolution of a fast-growing, highly respected organization. AgLaunch is prepared to offer a compensation package that includes a starting salary of $65,000 – $70,000 based on experience with health, vision, and dental insurance, 401k with employer match, EAP, employer paid life insurance, flexible work hours and schedule, and an unlimited paid-time off policy. AgLaunch does not tolerate discrimination of any type and offers equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, natural origin, age, disability or medical condition, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or any other considerations made unlawful by Federal, State, or local laws. We believe in providing eligible and qualified employees with opportunities to advance. AgLaunch is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Interested candidatesshould email cover letter and resume to Rajah Brown, Vice President of  Operations, at: [email protected]