Contract Posting: RADIUS Lab Manager First Peoples Enterprise Accelerator Program RADIUS seeks a creative, analytical, and strategic thinker to join our team as the Lab Manager - First Peoples Enterprise Accelerator Program. This is a six-month contract with expectation of renewal and/or conversion into an employment position at Simon Fraser University. Reporting to the RADIUS Associate Director Labs and working closely with the rest of the RADIUS team, the Lab Manager will be responsible for all aspects of managing and delivering the RBC First Peoples Enterprise Accelerator Program. The vision of FPEAP is to be a catalyst and resource for sustainable economic growth and diversification in Indigenous communities, using citizen entrepreneurship as its primary vehicle. FPEAP consists of two related elements: 1. Programmatic support of First Peoples entrepreneurs, modeled upon RADIUS existing incubator and accelerator programs; and 2. Research and inquiry into the enabling conditions and barriers related to Indigenous entrepreneurship. In particular, the FPEAP supports the development of Indigenous entrepreneurs and advances early stage businesses and social ventures that contribute to the development of sustainable, healthy economies for all. This work is core to RADIUS mandate to incubate entrepreneurship in service of systems change and the Lab Manager will be responsible for ensuring the successful delivery of both incubation/acceleration programs and the broader, systemic interventions that arise as a result.
Duties & Responsibilities 1. In collaboration with the RADIUS team and strategic partners in the FPEAP, scope and define the problem space to be tackled by the Lab and specific incubation cohorts within it 2. Maintain appropriate communication and relationships with Lab sponsors and partners a. Identify and engage key internal (SFU) and external stakeholders to ensure momentum and buy-in to the FPEAP b. Manage and develop relationships with key community partners such as Sto:lo Community Futures, with whom RADIUS has a three year collaboration agreement to support citizen entrepreneurs in Sto:lo Traditional Territory c. Manage and develop relationships with (pro bono and other supportive) service delivery partners in legal, accounting, and marketing/communications realms d. Develop and maintain relationships with mentors and venture advisors e. Grow the number and depth of RADIUS relationships with key organizations providing capital, mentorship, and other support to Indigenous citizen entrepreneurs, and with whom RADIUS entrepreneurial education offering can be of value 3. With guidance from strategic partners, ensure the delivery of high quality venture incubation and acceleration outcomes. a. Recruit cohorts of Radical Doers to be incubated and accelerated: i. Trampoline business model validation (two eight-week cohorts/year) and ii. Slingshot accelerator programs (one six-month cohort/year) b. Support the RADIUS Trampoline and Slingshot Activators (curriculum delivery leads) to design and deliver effective entrepreneurial education programming c. Design and implement program evaluation plan, with an aim to refining program structure and tracking participant performance during and after the cohort engagement 4. In collaboration with the RADIUS team, design and implement a developmental evaluation plan, with an aim to identifying further systemic interventions post cohort. 5. In collaboration with the RADIUS team, design and implement a strategy to promote system outcomes, which will include knowledge mobilization and some or all of: a. Additional venture cohorts in a related problem space; b. New deployments of the research and evaluation mandate; c. New project/venture design; and d. Partner engagement. 6. Manage program budget and resource allocation and - in collaboration with the RADIUS and SFU Beedie Advancement teams - supporting fundraising and donor reporting obligations
Impact of Decision Making Makes decisions regarding: Defining objectives, outcomes, and resource allocation within the RBC First Peoples Enterprise Accelerator Program New strategic partnerships in the realm of Indigenous citizen-led entrepreneurship Selection of service delivery partners Selection of mentors and venture advisors Selection of cohort participants Design of knowledge mobilization products and dissemination strategy General content for departmental communications Execution of other FPEAP strategies within approved budgets Relationships Relationships are essential to success lab work, and as a successful Lab Manager candidate you may recognize these values in yourself, through the following statements: You tend to notice the new and unorthodox, keeping an eye on the horizon You have an ability to bring back solutions from non-traditional voices that others might not know or trust; and You know that healthy human systems do not just happen someone needs to take responsibility for creating, questioning and improving them Primary Working Relationships Internal Connections Works collaboratively with other staff on programs and events. Regularly interacts with key internal (SFU) contacts to support understanding of and alignment with RADIUS activities. External Connections Builds and maintains relationships with potential and existing RADIUS community members, specifically: Sto:lo Community Futures strategic partnerships in realm of Indigenous citizen-led entrepreneurship service delivery partners mentors and venture advisors cohort participants
Skills and Qualifications Masters degree or equivalent in business, community economic development, planning, communications, or public policy and/or five years experience in a management capacity, plus: 1. A strong understanding of the conditions and factors affecting the viability and expansion of entrepreneurial ecosystems in Indigenous communities in Canada 2. A strong network within the realms of reconciliation and First Nations economic development 3. Excellent knowledge of innovation and entrepreneurial environments, in theory and practice 4. Knowledge of social innovation theory and practice, human-centred design research methodologies, and process design 5. An ability to: a. Deploy strong consulting and customer service skills to listen to the needs of others and frame opportunities around them b. synthesize findings c. design and implement system interventions, and d. Evaluate and iterate these interventions in service of Indigenous entrepreneurial ecosystems 6. A strategic, growth-minded thinker with an ability to thrive in a changing, iterative work context. The Lab Manager will work closely with other members of the RADIUS team and strategic partners to give shape and structure to the FPEAP 7. Project Management - The Lab Manager will be responsible for managing a range of complex engagements, relationships, and responsibilities within the FPEAP; a proven capacity to manage time, engage team, and allocate resources is essential, as is familiarity and proficiency with project management frameworks and tools 8. Proven ability to manage relationships with core team, program participants, and broader stakeholders; enjoys working in independent, highly dynamic situations with multiple stakeholders and deadlines 9. Strong verbal and written communication skills; can create reports and blogs independently, and a. Has a high degree of self-awareness and is comfortable working in diverse cultural contexts, with students, community members, private sector, leaders of large organizations and government among others. 10. Is organized and detailed oriented 11. Is thoughtful, tenacious, and has a sense of humour! This is a full-time, six-month contract role, with expectation of renewal and/or conversion to employee at Simon Fraser University. Some travel is required. RADIUS strives to build a team that reflects the diversity of the communities we work in and strongly encourages applications from candidates that claim Indigenous identity and from traditionally underrepresented groups such as women, visible minorities, people identifying as LGBT*QI, and people with disabilities.
To apply, send your resume and cover letter ATTN Bonnie Borin to hr[at]radiussfu[dot]com by 11:59pm on Wednesday April 25 th, 2018 with the subject line Application: RADIUS Lab Manager - FPEAP. Role Logistics: Application close date: Target start date: Compensation: April 25 th, 2018 at 11:59pm as soon as available $64,000 - $75,000/annum, commensurate with experience We thank all applicants for their interest in joining the RADIUS team but only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.