The Manager, Ray of Hope Accelerator, manages the implementation and continuous improvement of the Ray of Hope Accelerator. The Manager is responsible for the successful delivery of the annual accelerator program, including startup recruitment and selection, participant experience, program operations, alumni engagement, and stakeholder coordination. They ensure the program is delivered to a high standard and contribute to measurable environmental, social, and business outcomes. Working closely with the Program Director, Innovation, the Manager translates strategy into execution, manages day-to-day program operations, and cultivates a thriving ecosystem of nature-inspired entrepreneurs, mentors, investors, and partners.

Essential Functions

Percentage allocations represent annual average estimates and may shift based on funding levels, contractual commitments, and organizational priorities.

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.
• Coordinate 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.
• Coordinate 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.
• Coordinate 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

The physical demands described here are representative of that which an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• 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.

Work Environment (Remote)

The work environment described here is representative of that which an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Duties are performed in a home workspace. Employees are expected to maintain their home workspace in a safe manner, free from safety hazards.
• May require up to 10% national travel.
• Geographic location: Seattle or SF Bay Area

This is not necessarily an exhaustive or all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, functions, or working conditions associated with the job. This job description is not a contract of employment, or a promise or guarantee of any specific terms or conditions of employment. The Biomimicry Institute may add to, modify, or delete any aspect of this job (or the position itself) at any time as it deems advisable. I have read and understand this job description. My signature acknowledges that I am capable of performing the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation.