OEN NewsOEN is Hiring a Regional Catalyst Manager

The Oregon Entrepreneurs Network (OEN) seeks a Regional Catalyst Manager to conduct outreach efforts throughout designated coastal areas in Coos Curry and Douglas counties. This .75FTE grant-funded contract position is part of a pilot program made possible by Business Oregon, the State’s economic development agency.

Specifically, the Catalyst Manager will:

• Help entrepreneurs create and grow businesses by assessing local needs.
• Recruit early-stage, high-growth businesses and investors to become members, volunteers, and participants in OEN’s educational and investor services programs
• Provide advisory support to start-up companies that includes evaluating current needs and matching those needs with appropriate human and capital resources
• Develop a database of Subject Matter Experts comprised of volunteers willing to work pro-bono for a specified purpose
• Assist with implementation of regional networking and educational events such as PubTalks, Boot Camps and Angel Conferences
• Evaluate and develop additional, sustainable infrastructure to support the development of start-ups

Qualifications/Skills:

• Knowledge of economic development strategies, programs, and educational activities targeted at emerging businesses
• Experience in effective grass-roots economic development or educational organizing, including development, planning, and implementation of economic development strategies
• Knowledge of entrepreneur and investor education needs, and a commitment to improve the climate for emerging, growth-oriented companies across Oregon
• Experience in strategic planning
• Aptitude for working in a highly diverse environment, with multiple constituencies
• Strong and articulate written and oral communications skills, with experience in public speaking and presentations
• Strong organizational and time management skills, including the ability to prioritize tasks
• Experience recruiting, coordinating, and motivating volunteers and partners
• Strong personal network within  the entrepreneurial community preferred
• Must be able to travel and work a flexible schedule
• Should be innovative, self-motivated, able to work independently, and comfortable with deadlines
• Mastery of basic computer skills: Word, Excel, Access Outlook, PowerPoint, etc

Responsibilities: 

• Engage with local and regional economic development district staff, boards, volunteers, and partner groups.
•  Leverage key constituencies to implement OEN programs and services, to improve the climate for emerging, growth-oriented businesses.  Specifically, help improve the flow of ideas, services, and capital to entrepreneurs, and encourage membership in OEN
• Develop detailed knowledge of the local economic development strategies and priorities in each target area
• Work with the regional economic development staff and boards to determine which of OEN’s programs are best-suited to meet their needs, and the best way to deliver the programs.
• Identify, recruit, and train  individual volunteers needed to support and implement the programs when practical
• Build a coalition of supportive community leaders and local businesses and organizations in the target service areas; create networking groups in each area that will connect entrepreneurs,  service providers, and potential investors
• Work with OEN staff and volunteers to develop annual work plans and organizing activities to meet OEN’s outreach, membership, and investor services goals and objectives
• Seek out public speaking opportunities to describe OEN’s programs and services
• Refer entrepreneurs and accredited investors to OEN programming and OEN-supported  programming that matches the needs of both parties
• Work to establish and maintain OEN PubTalk-type programs in the target communities, to provide education and networking opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors
• Seek out and coalesce high net worth individuals who could be angel investors
• Work with local organizers to develop and maintain  the angel investment conference programs
• Promote and strengthen OEN’s membership in target regions
• Track budget and progress in assigned region, and complete monthly, quarterly, and annual reports in the format provided
• Other duties as assigned

 To apply:

Email a cover letter and resume to info@oen.org using the subject line, “Regional Catalyst Manager.” No phone calls please.