Initiators Fellowship Co-Director

Initiative Foundation • Little Falls, MN

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

This new, full-time exempt position will co-lead the Initiators Fellowship, a statewide program launched and managed by the Initiative Foundation in Central Minnesota, with programming, partnerships and support that reaches across rural Minnesota. The Fellowship is a unique national model that supports social entrepreneurs with the training, mentorship, resources, and capital required to launch and sustain enterprises for good. In 2026, as part of a strategic and long-term expansion, the two-year cohort programming is extending beyond its initial focus to create a statewide ecosystem to support social entrepreneurs, including convenings, trainings, and building capacity and partnerships in rural communities to enhance resources and support. Learn more at https://fellows.greaterminnesota.net/.
The current program manager will be moving into the other co-director role. The entirety of the shared work for both co-directors is listed below. The co-directors will work in deep collaboration to share the overall strategic and leadership priorities, while independently managing distinct responsibilities and focus areas.

Requirements

• A demonstrated ability to collaborate and a commitment to co-leadership, as this position works closely daily with the other Fellowship co-director.
• Five years’ professional experience at a program or leadership level in direct or related fields; or demonstrated mastery and success in the field in less time; or any equivalent combination of education, field and/or lived experience.
• The ability to work and set work direction independently, including the need to coordinate multiple projects and initiatives, and manage multiple deadlines.
• An ability to coordinate complex, long-term projects that involve multiple internal and community stakeholders.
• Reasonable experience with Microsoft Office, Zoom, other digital tools for facilitating online trainings and gatherings, CRMs, survey and engagement tools including forms and surveys, and calendaring.
• The ability to travel regularly to the Initiative Foundation office in Little Falls, and to regional and state locations, with occasional overnight stays and weekend travel.

Nice To Haves

• A believer in and champion of rural people and places, with significant experience living and working in rural environments, particularly Minnesota.
• A strategist and leader who has experience with and passion for entrepreneurship, economic development, and community-building.
• A relational leader who builds lasting connections with Fellows and partners from a place of genuine care and support.
• An experienced nonprofit program leader who has managed funders, budgets, and compliance.
• A program designer who has created and facilitated cohort and community-based learning programs.
• An experienced ecosystem and network builder who has or is ready to build an engaged regional and statewide network of entrepreneurship and rural community partners and supporters.
• A background working with entrepreneurs, social entrepreneurs, rural economic development, technical assistance, and/or related fields that provides knowledge of key needs, opportunities, and strategies for success for Fellows, their enterprises, and the communities they serve.
• Knowledge of reporting, evaluation and measurements, broadly in the nonprofit sector and specifically to leadership, entrepreneurship, and community development.
• Demonstrated cross-cultural agility and experience working across race, place and class.
• A committed supporter and participant in an engaged and collaborative workplace culture.
• Someone who may check many but not all of these boxes, and has the foundational skills, enthusiasm for the work, and sustained desire to succeed in this role.

Responsibilities

• Program leadership and administration (20%): Co-design and execute strategies for delivering the program and building a state social entrepreneurship ecosystem centered in enterprise growth, leadership development, and equitable community change. Oversee all activities, manage Fellowship staff, engage and manage a diverse pool of contractors, and convene community teams to support the work. Work collaboratively with leadership and key stakeholders to shape the program’s long-term vision and funding. Cultivate relationships with donors and grantmakers, manage and create annual budgets, and support grant and financial reporting and compliance. Work with foundation and contracted communication and marketing to set the strategy and tone for Fellowship storytelling and marketing to elevate the program to a state and national audience.
• Cohort program recruiting, design and delivery (30%): Co-lead the design and delivery of the two-year Fellowship program, including managing the recruiting and cohort selection process every two years, and leading the Fellows through a two-year program. Develop and deliver an annual training calendar, and coordinate a pool of contractors for in-person retreats, virtual sessions, one-on-one mentorship, and ongoing support, which includes ongoing training to utilize a set of coordinated tech resources (strategy, finance, marketing) and other tools to build their enterprise. Co-lead and support the annual Brain Trust event. Provide accountability and management of professional development for Fellows to ensure their success and growth. Serve as main point of contact for regional partners.
• Ecosystem and network building (30%): Co-design strategies for the creation of a statewide ecosystem that elevates and supports social entrepreneurs. Develop a calendar for, and design and deliver regular regional convenings and trainings across rural Minnesota to connect and build capacity in entrepreneurs and economic development partners. Co-design a biennial state conference for social entrepreneurship. Manage a technical assistance fund for social entrepreneurs. Build a strong network of relationships across the state that includes entrepreneurs, partners, donors, investors, and other critical supports. Travel regularly to rural communities to identify needs and opportunities.
• Fellow and alumni support (10%): Serve as key connection point for current and alumni Fellows, and a cultivated pool of diverse mentors and advisors. Facilitate and guide the delivery of technical assistance, professional development funds, resources and connections. Convene and connect current and past Fellows to build relationships and cross-pollinated support. Coordinate with the Fellowship network of partners and stakeholders to ensure consistent local and regional support for current and past Fellows.
• Supervisory and other Duties (10%): Engage with organizational culture and wellbeing, events and initiatives. Manage, coach, assess performance, provide feedback, and deal with disciplinary and performance improvement issues as needed with both staff and contractors. Hold employees accountable to Foundation and Fellowship policies and procedures, ensure teams work collaboratively, respectfully, and effectively, and work with the Foundation’s HR and leadership on recruitment and management. Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor, President or members of the Foundation’s Leadership Team. Other duties may include Foundation or Fellowship special projects, assisting with key Foundation events, and other activities.

Benefits

• Competitive and generous benefits package, including 100% employer-paid premiums for medical and dental coverage(and 70% employer- paid for dependents), employer-paid life insurance and long-term disability, and 50% employer-paid Minnesota Paid Leave premiums.
• Additional benefits include a 401(k) with up to 5% match and immediate vesting.
• Vision and ancillary insurance options are offered as well as a strong wellbeing program that supports employee health and balance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed