Groundswell is a non-profit incubator and community providing holistic resources for startups and innovators, bringing concepts to life and accelerating scalability for businesses ranging from tech to manufacturing on the Space Coast and across the Southeast region.

Our mission is to support action-oriented innovators scaling impactful businesses through community & collaboration on the Space Coast.

We are looking for an Executive Director who can provide leadership, incubator management and strategic guidance to our diverse and independent community. The Executive Director will work with Groundswell leadership to create an inclusive, engaged environment as they continue to build on our community.  This individual will help create and facilitate a holistic strategy for connecting various community stakeholders, including working with community partners, sponsors, mentors, coworkers, and startups. They will also work with the Groundswell team to market, fill, and manage the coworking space that funds Groundswell operations and contribute to the oversight and operations of the prototyping lab. An understanding or a background in running programing for incubators, accelerators and technology startups, entrepreneurship, incubators/accelerators and venture capital will allow for the highest success in this role, guiding the Groundswell in this next chapter of growth.

This is a full-time, in-office position based in Melbourne, Florida. Salary range is $70K-90K, depending on bonuses or other incentives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
 

• Oversee the community’s well-being, instilling our core values (Action-oriented, Give First, Innovative & Collaborative) in our members and startups to strengthen the culture and attract like-minded individuals.
• Responsible for crafting and implementing a strategy to improve and grow the incubator, coworking space and Prototyping Lab.
• Facilitate and lead programing for the incubator and startups.
• Partner with external programs and our internal team to create holistic services and event plans, and own overall responsibility for the successful execution of programs and events.
• Oversee strategic initiatives and develop meaningful and beneficial relationships across the Groundswell ecosystem.
• Budget programs/costs versus incubator income and manage community operations.
• Budget programs/costs versus lab income and manage operations.
• Engage directly with senior leadership of Groundswell to manage toward leadership vision.
• Engage with founders, mentors, sponsors, investors and corporate partners to ensure the successful execution of programs.
• Participation in the annual planning processes for budgeting and growth.
• Quarterly business and performance metrics reviews.
• Develop and drive the pipeline and recruitment of new companies.
• Represent Groundswell in the local community.

 
Primary Qualifications:
 

• Prior experience with program managing at an incubator or accelerator.
• Raised or participated in raising $1M+ in VC funds.
• Entrepreneurial experience with founding a company, at an individual or team level

Additional Qualifications:
 

• Experience in fast-paced environments within technology, startups, entrepreneurship, business or venture capital.
• Proven ability to lead and project manage teams, with a history of also stepping in and getting hands-on when necessary.
• Strong emotional intelligence – prefer experience with a variety of interested stakeholders.
• Comfortable with a minimal amount of direction and unafraid to experiment.
• Demonstrated success with public speaking and community development.
• Familiar with managing expenses and budgets while overseeing the financials of the organization.
• Resonate and embody our Core Values: Action-oriented, Give First, Innovative & Collaborative.
• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university preferred
• Excellent and clear communication skills with a professional demeanor.

About Brevard County, Florida

Brevard County, Florida, also known as Florida’s Space Coast, is a groundbreaking region along the east coast of the Sunshine State. Home to the world-famous launch pads of Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Brevard County’s rich history is built upon generations of high-tech talent, yet boasts a small-town community feel where members can truly make a difference. With an abundance of amenities for the right work-life balance, Florida’s Space Coast offers a unique lifestyle with tropical weather, cultural activities, educational opportunities, year-round outdoor recreation, and a family-friendly atmosphere. Even the world’s most significant vacation playground is just a short ride, which means you can get annual passes for endless access to the thrills and off-season crowds at Orlando theme parks and attractions, all while enjoying the relaxed oceanside community that has sent man to the moon and continues to launch advances for humankind. You can learn more about the endless lifestyle options found here, at www.LiveBigSpaceCoast.com