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Foundervine CIC

Startup Program Manager (US)

Foundervine CIC, Washington, District of Columbia, us, 20022

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About Foundervine

Today, Foundervine stands as one of the largest and most active accelerator ecosystems, successfully orchestrating and executing business and investment readiness programs to support entrepreneurs. Our track record includes collaboration with prestigious clients such as Barclays, Lloyds Banking Group, Sainsbury's, Google, and the UK Government. In joining Foundervine, you will be welcomed into a small, dynamic organisation at a pivotal moment in our mission as we establish our US operations. We value integrity, impact, courage, inclusion, and action orientation, creating a warm and open environment for all team members to share their thoughts and contribute to our collective growth.

Our Commitment to Growth and Support

At Foundervine, we are more than just colleagues, we are a team that genuinely cares about one another. We prioritise well-being, flexibility, collaboration, and continuous learning, ensuring that our team feels valued and empowered. Through regular check-ins, cross-team collaboration, and knowledge-sharing sessions, we create an environment where ideas thrive. Our results-driven culture encourages you to make impactful decisions, communicate openly and build a great career with us.

We understand that life happens beyond work, which is why we strive to provide flexibility, especially where it's most needed, ensuring that no one has to choose between professional success and personal well-being. At Foundervine, we don't just focus on what we're building, we focus on how we build it and who we build it with. You're not just an employee, you're part of something bigger!

The Job Overview

We are seeking a candidate who can take initiative, operate independently, with a deep passion for entrepreneurship to help build the foundations of our US operations. This is a fast-paced role that offers the opportunity to shape the vision and long-term delivery of Foundervine, laying the groundwork for sustainable growth and regional impact.

We're looking for someone with significant project management experience, who has independently managed programs or operations within the US: including setting up processes, working is cross-border teams, and overseeing local delivery. If you bring exceptional communication, stakeholder management, and strategic planning skills, this could be the perfect next step in your journey.

Please note: This is a Program Manager role within the startup ecosystem and programme accelerator space not an IT or systems implementation program management role. While we welcome applicants from a variety of backgrounds, if your experience comes from a different context (e.g. IT project management), please use your cover letter to clearly outline how your skills are transferable to this role.

Key Role Responsibilities:

Program Management:

Independently set up and deliver Foundervine programs, projects, and specific events, predominantly managing start-up and scale-up accelerator programs across the US, collaborating with UK and Ghana based offices. Lead the end-to-end project lifecycle, including establishing operations, monitoring progress, and reporting to leadership teams based in other regions. Develop, manage, and monitor detailed project schedules and work plans using digital tools like Asana, Notion,Slack. Proactively manage program resources, budgets, risks, and issues, ensuring smooth execution and problem resolution. Support facilitators, speakers, mentors, and coaches throughout programme delivery. Partner with the Marketing and Operations teams to promote programs and communicate brand value. Build and maintain strong relationships with external partners, sponsors, and stakeholders, leading all program communications. Program Design and Development:

Design and develop new programs in collaboration with local governments, higher education institutions, and corporate partners. Work with the Operations team to create and optimise workflows and processes for seamless program delivery. Support contact with potential partners and clients in the U.S. as part of the early program lifecycle development. Manage the end-to-end recruitment and relationship building with experts, ensuring alignment with cohort needs and program objectives. Identify new growth opportunities and serve as the main point of contact for assigned stakeholders. Program Delivery:

Host Foundervine at events and meetings, advocating for the organisation's mission and portfolio. Engage participants throughout program delivery, ensuring they receive the necessary support. Manage program cohort end-to-end, ensuring smooth delivery and strong participant engagement throughout. Oversee the end-to-end delivery of programs, adhering to PMO guidelines and maintaining proper documentation. An Ideal Candidate Should Have:

Strong Project Management:

Demonstrated experience independently managing programs or operations within a country, including reporting to leadership in another region. Proven ability to set up and run complex projects from the ground up. Proactivity and Ownership:

A self-starter with a proactive mindset, capable of operating autonomously in fast-paced environments. Comfortable leading projects and guiding cross-functional teams with limited oversight. Stakeholder Management:

Strong ability to engage and manage relationships across a wide range of stakeholders , including partners, funders, and internal teams, with a tailored, influence-based communication style. Communication & Influence:

Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with a track record of engaging and influencing both internal and external stakeholders effectively. Programme Facilitation:

Confident in facilitating sessions and events, ensuring active participant engagement, clear outcomes, and adherence to timelines. Start-Up Experience:

At least 5 years of experience within the U.S. start-up ecosystem, with a strong, demonstrable understanding of entrepreneurship in the U.S. Ideally, someone who has previously attempted to launch their own venture or held an ex-Founder role. The ideal candidate will be based in Washington, D.C. While the role offers flexibility to work remotely, it requires the ability to attend in-person meetings with clients and key stakeholders in Washington, D.C.

Technical Competencies & Qualifications

We're looking for someone with a solid mix of formal qualifications, hands-on experience, and digital fluency to excel in this dynamic, delivery-focused role.

Essential Competencies and Qualifications:

Proven experience managing complex programs or operations independently within US. Experience working with or reporting into international teams, preferably in Europe or other global regions. Strong understanding of sales and business development processes - especially relevant to entering and growing in new markets like the US. Strong experience with Project Management Tools - such as Asana, Todoist, Monday.com Proficiency in Knowledge & Operations Platforms - such as Notion, ClickUp or Jira. Experience working with cross-functional teams (e.g., Marketing, Ops, Comms) and delivering high-impact, community-driven programs Strong data analysis and reporting skills - able to build dashboards, report on KPIs, and use insights to inform delivery. Comfortable managing budgets, timelines, and risk, particularly in a grant- or partner-funded programme environment Experience working in or with the social impact, entrepreneurship, or non-profit sectors. Desired Competencies and Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field (e.g., Business Administration, International Development, Project Management, Operations, or related disciplines) PMP (Project Management Professional), PRINCE2, or equivalent project management certification Good understanding of CRM systems - such as Salesforce, HubSpot, or Zoho. What We Offer

Competitive Salary - We offer a fair, market-aligned compensation package. Healthcare Plan Contribution - A monthly healthcare allowance to support access to private insurance or medical services of your choice. Remote-First Workstyle - Work from anywhere in the East Coast, with a schedule that supports work-life balance. Online Socials & Team Connection - Join regular virtual meetups, culture-building events, and socials that keep you connected with the wider global team. Autonomy & Flexibility - As a contractor, you'll have control over how you manage your time and work arrangements. Opportunities for skill-building through workshops, internal training, and curated content. Project Ownership - Lead high-impact programmes with the space to grow your influence and autonomy. Reward & Recognition Systems - We celebrate great performance and meaningful individual contributions through structured recognition, public appreciation, and rewards aligned to impact.