FULL JOB DESCRIPTION: PROGRAM MANAGER – ENERGY & FOREST BUSINESS ACCELERATORS

SUMMARY:

The Program Manager leads VSJF’s DeltaClime^VT and Forest Business accelerators. Both accelerators provide startup support, business planning, mentorship, and access to capital to climate economy and forest economy entrepreneurs. Participants in the DeltaClime^VT and Forest Business accelerator cohorts gain on-going access to the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund’s network of experienced peers, mentors, and investors, and will be poised for accelerated growth within the climate, energy and forest economy innovation cluster of entrepreneurs in Vermont. The program aims to select a racially and gender diverse cohort of competitively selected companies each year.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION:

Lead, evolve, implement annual DeltaClime^VT and Forest Business accelerator programs and position the programs as premier climate and energy and forest economy innovation business accelerators in the US. Continuously expand a network of contacts to ensure a high-quality pool of applicants each year, and ensure that new and alumni cohort companies, mentors and sponsors continue to be engaged with the program. Project manage the implementation of several pilot projects between Vermont utilities and DeltaClime^VT cohort alumni. The Program Manager must have the ability to travel in-state, in the region and nationally, as needed, in order to recruit applicants and stay abreast of industry trends.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Direction

• Lead, evolve, implement annual DeltaClime^VT programs and position the program as a premier climate, energy and forest focused business accelerators in the U.S.
• Create and maintain an annual work plan (POPOS) that aligns with the organizations 3-year OPOS.
• Keep abreast of industry changes, new technologies, new funding sources and support programs and refresh DeltaClime^VT and the Forest Business accelerators focus, as needed.

Operational Management

• Develop a “challenge statement” with program sponsors (this serves as focus for cohort recruitment and selection).
• Recruit and select cohort participants, with assistance from accelerator advisory boards.
• Solicit sponsor funding from Vermont utility, energy and forest industry partners.
• Select, support, and manage the consultant and mentors used for the DeltaClime^VT program.
• Work with cohort businesses to onboard and then support them during the 4-month program and stay in touch with them post-graduation.
• Maintain regular communication with DeltaClime^VT Forest Business Accelerator cohort companies.
• Collaborate with the VSJF’s Communications Director on marketing and promotional activities for recruitment and ongoing promotion of cohort companies and the overall program.
• Collaborate with VSJF’s Events Coordinator for the development and execution of in-person activities and events.
• Facilitate face-to-face and virtual interactions with, and educational opportunities for, businesses in the climate and forest economies aimed at creating and supporting a self-identifying industry clusters.
• Maintain detailed contact database of all accelerator alumni, mentors, and sponsors, and expand the network of industry stakeholders who could be recruited to assist with recruitment and program content delivery.
• Develop and maintain relationships with business assistance partners and program mentors.
• Collaborate internally with the VSJF’s Forest Products Program Director and Farm to Plate Director to maximize the flow of communication and market intelligence between these program areas.
• Participate fully as a member of the VSJF team working to integrate DeltaClime^VT and Forest Business accelerator programming with other VSJF activities.

Pilot Project Management

• Lead Pilot Project grantmaking initiative, including application selection and grant agreement development.
• Support implementation of selected DeltaClime^VT pilot projects between cohort companies and utility/energy partners (includes overall project management to ensure projects are completed and appropriate metrics collected).

Fundraising, Grant Reporting, and Administrative and Financial Management

• Work with the Executive Director and Finance Director to develop the annual budget for the program and monitor budget to actual over the course of the FY.
• With support from VSJF’s Grants Manager, provide relevant content to foundation, state and federal grant proposals, interim report and final reports, as requested.
• Work with VSJF’s Grants Manager and Bookkeeper to implement annual sponsorship solicitation process.
• Manage all contracts and administrative responsibilities needed to execute both accelerators effectively.
• Develop metrics and the necessary documentation forms and spreadsheets to track progress against various deliverables and metrics.
• Maintain appropriate metrics tracking for inclusion in interim and final reports to funders.

EXCELLENCE IN THIS ORGANIZATION: 

The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund is a nonprofit organization that nurtures the economic well-being, ecological health, and social connectivity of people, businesses, organizations and communities in Vermont for the benefit and well-being of all who live here. We work to create an organizational culture where people feel valued, are energized, have fun and can generate innovative and forward-thinking solutions to our shared challenges.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• ecosVC Contractor

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

The position requirement and core competencies listed below are what we envision a traditional candidate will possess. However, as part of our effort to expand our diversity, equity and inclusion, we encourage people to apply who may have alternative experiences that would enable them to be successful in this position.

Experience: At least five years work experience with at least 3 years in related sustainable business development arenas; renewable energy/climate or forest related knowledge preferred.

Education: A degree in sustainable development, business, finance, community development, economics, psychology or related degree preferred.

The following represent additional competencies we value highly: experience with network and market development approaches and/or value chain development; knowledge and experience in VSJF’s industry sectors; fundraising and/or grant management experience.

CORE COMPETENCIES AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Strong personal commitment to VSJF’s mission of creating economic well-being that also enhances our physical environment and community health;
• Ability to manage programmatic consultants: providing guidance, maintaining accountability; increasing their effectiveness; and improving their ability to assist cohort businesses;
• Leadership skills including: excellent “people skills”, advanced written and verbal communication skills, demonstrated quantitative and analytical skills, and the ability to facilitate diverse groups in collaborative decisions and action;
• Strategic thinking and outcome-oriented planning and project management capabilities;
• An entrepreneurial orientation;
• Proven project management skills;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Ability to summarize complex topics into concise formats relevant to both general and specific audiences;
• Demonstrated relationship building, collaboration, and facilitation skills; knowledge of network theory a plus;
• Strong research and analytical skills;
• Solid organizational and administrative skills and attention to detail is required;
• Creative problem solver and critical thinker;
• Experienced and comfortable working with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, Planner as well as SLACK;
• Ability to manage time effectively and work independently;
• Ability to travel as the job requires;
• Personally driven to make a difference; and
• Team player, sense of humor, and positive can-do attitude.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Performs work location in a climate-controlled office environment, where exposure to conditions of extreme heat/cold, poor ventilation, fumes, and gases is very limited. Noise level is moderate and includes sounds of normal office equipment (computers, telephones, etc.). No known environmental hazards are encountered in the normal performance of job duties.

Physical Demands

Work involves standing and walking for brief periods, bending, and filing, but performs most duties from a seated or standing position. There is potential for eyestrain from reading detailed materials and computer screens. Deadlines, workloads during peak periods, and changing priorities may cause increased stress levels. Work requires finger dexterity and eye-hand coordination to operate computer keyboards at a moderate skill level.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Please note: This is not an all-encompassing statement of this position’s responsibilities. While it attempts to be comprehensive, new responsibilities may be assigned to this position at any time.

VSJF is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and a strong sense of belonging in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. VSJF makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and organization needs at the time.