Program Manager, Lithium Programs
Southwest Arkansas or Little Rock / Innovation / Full-Time
About The Venture Center
Established in 2014, The Venture Center is a globally recognized Arkansas-based nonprofit entrepreneurial support organization (ESO) that accelerates success for start-up founders, small business owners and corporate innovators through award-winning entrepreneurship programs, platforms and partnerships. In addition to providing opportunities to local entrepreneurs from any industry, we are the home of award-winning Industry Accelerators.
About Venture Center Lithium Programs
The Venture Center is proud to introduce two new programs focused on enabling the successful growth of the emerging Lithium industry initially centered on Southwest Arkansas but with state-wide impact and reach.
LiTHIUMWORKS, funded by the Arkansas Office of Skills Development, is a program to help build an end-to-end talent pipeline platform for Lithium employers focused on Southwest Arkansas’ communities, schools and businesses. It will operate in partnership with LiTHIUMLEARNS, a complementary program led by SAU that will help prepare K-12 and 2-year/4-year college graduates for jobs offered by Lithium employers. Once those students are prepared, LiTHIUMWORKS will help place those who are seeking employment through programs and a digital platform executed with the Lithium employers. LiTHIUMWORKS will also work with Southwest Arkansas small businesses to help them become a part of the Lithium employers’ vendor supply chain. LiTHIUMWORKS’ programs and platform will help the Lithium industry in Southwest Arkansas to “Hire Local” and “Buy Local.”
The Arkansas Lithium Technology Accelerator, funded by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, is a new program intended to aid the growth of Arkansas’ nascent but promising Lithium industry by launching a new multi-year accelerator in partnership with leading lithium and energy producers to jointly curate early-stage technology companies for new mining and chemical refinement innovations. Our goal is to generate long-term economic growth for the state, as well as helping our country achieve energy and security independence. We are partnering with Standard Lithium, an innovative Lithium producer whose current El Dorado-based pilot has opened the door to major energy industry players’ investments and production activities in our state, to jointly program, curate and execute the Accelerator. Along with our Venture Center Little Rock Tech Park facilities, we will leverage Standard Lithium’s existing pilot plant and management offices for Cohort company activities. We will also work with Southern Arkansas University (SAU), the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville, and South Arkansas College (SouthArk) to provide additional facilities and resources as needed for the Accelerator.
About this Role
As The Venture Center team expands, we are seeking a full-time Lithium Program Manager to lead the charge for our Lithium programs. Reporting to the VP of Strategic Partnership Programs, the Program Manager will be instrumental in executing the goals, guidelines, and strategies for the daily operations of the programs In this role, you will collaborate with our innovation team to ensure the objectives are achieved in participant satisfaction, program quality, and team member performance. You will also engage closely with industry partners and stakeholders to align their objectives with the capabilities and functions of the program participants, fostering connections and potential partnerships. If you are a high-capacity, well-organized manager with a passion for people, processes, and programs, and if you relish the opportunity to deliver a continuous stream of engaging and valuable experiences and connections for the entrepreneurs we serve, then you are in the right place!
Responsibilities
Supporting the VP of Strategic Partnership Programs in day-to-day activities
Implementing innovation program strategies to achieve short and long-term goals
Collaborating in program development such as cohort selection process with C-suite executives
Utilizing survey activity and stakeholder data to drive program decisions
Coordinating program event planning, including Kickoffs, Demo Days, and other organized events
Fostering relationships with corporate partners and stakeholders
Participating in program meetings with key partners, stakeholders, and subject matter experts
Engaging with company founders and program participants to collect and provide feedback, updates, and insights
Managing relationships with participants, program alumni and stakeholders
Creating and managing program timelines and supporting documentation
Ensuring program documents are shared with the team in the appropriate Google Drive folders
Reviewing survey and process reporting to evaluate program effectiveness and suggest improvements
Assessing risks to program schedules proactively and troubleshooting when issues arise
Elevating the innovation program’s public profile at events and speaking engagements
Cross-collaboration with entrepreneur programs team when necessary
Supporting additional projects as related to strategic goals of the programs
Requirements
Bachelor's degree or master's degree in business, related field or relevant experience
3+ years of experience managing projects/programs
Experience as an entrepreneur or working with entrepreneurs
Professional presentation and communication skills
Proven ability to engage and collaborate with critical stakeholders
Project management knowledge
Willingness to participate in after-hour events and programs (approx. 1-2 per month)
Travel (up to 20%) if based in SW Arkansas - more travel (20%+) if based in Little Rock
Bonus
Project management certification
Strong professional network in South Arkansas
Experience working with startups & small businesses
Experience working with large enterprises at varying operational levels
Experience managing events (live and virtual)
Experience using work management systems such as Asana, Monday, etc.
Experience with Google Workspace
Experience with Microsoft Office
Benefits
Dedicated office/work space in Magnolia, El Dorado and Little Rock
Paid Downtown Parking (in Little Rock)
Hybrid Schedule
EEOC Statement
The Venture Center is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital or familial status, disability, genetic information, age, military service, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We believe that our differences are our strengths and we know that diversity builds a better team.
