Innovation Program Manager Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

Position: JVenture Program Manager (Independent Contractor)

Classification: 1099 Independent Contractor (Part-Time)

Term: Initial 12-Month Contract

Location: Hybrid, Palm Beach County, Florida

Reports To: Vice President, Community Engagement  

Position Summary

The Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County seeks a highly entrepreneurial, relationship-driven, and results-oriented JVenture Program Manager to lead the implementation and growth of JVenture, Federation's entrepreneurship incubator designed to support innovators, entrepreneurs, and venture founders throughout the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast.

JVenture seeks to empower entrepreneurs, strengthen economic opportunity, foster innovation, and deepen Jewish communal engagement through mentorship, education, strategic connections, and access to capital pathways. The Program Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day management, execution, and growth of the initiative, ensuring an exceptional participant experience while building strong relationships with mentors, community leaders, funders, investors, and strategic partners.

This individual will serve as the primary operational leader for the program and work closely with Federation staff, the JVenture Task Force, Florida Atlantic University's Adams Center for Entrepreneurship, mentors, donors, and participants to advance the program's mission and impact.

This position is initially structured as a part-time independent contractor role with the opportunity to expand into a full-time position as JVenture grows. The ideal candidate is entrepreneurial, highly organized, relationship-driven, and comfortable leveraging emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), to enhance program delivery, participant support, operational efficiency, and innovation within the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Program Management and Operations

• Lead the day-to-day management and execution of the JVenture program.

• Coordinate all program activities, timelines, deliverables, and operational processes.

• Develop and manage annual program plans, project timelines, and implementation schedules.

• Ensure the successful execution of cohort-based entrepreneurship programming.

• Coordinate program logistics, materials, participant communications, and event operations.

• Manage participant onboarding, orientation, engagement, and ongoing support.

• Maintain program records, participant files, and operational documentation.

Recruitment and Participant Selection

• Develop and implement recruitment strategies to attract high-potential entrepreneurs and venture founders.

• Promote the program through community outreach, networking, partnerships, presentations, and targeted marketing efforts.

• Manage application intake, screening, and participant selection processes.

• Coordinate interviews and review processes in collaboration with Federation staff and the JVenture Task Force.

• Support the development of a diverse and high-quality participant pipeline.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for prospective participants.

Mentor and Ecosystem Development

• Recruit, engage, and steward mentors, subject matter experts, investors, and business leaders.

• Coordinate mentor matching and support productive mentor-founder relationships.

• Cultivate relationships with entrepreneurs, business leaders, community stakeholders, ecosystem partners, and service providers.

• Strengthen partnerships with Florida Atlantic University and other entrepreneurship resources.

• Identify opportunities to expand the entrepreneurial ecosystem available to participants.

• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and peer learning among founders.

Program Delivery and Events

• Coordinate workshops, speaker sessions, networking opportunities, site visits, and learning experiences.

• Manage logistics for cohort activities, mentor engagements, and special events.

• Coordinate participant pitch events, showcases, demo days, and public presentations.

• Ensure a high-quality participant experience across all program activities.

• Support the integration of Jewish values, ethics, leadership, and community-building throughout the participant experience.

Innovation and Technology

• Utilize artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies to enhance program administration, participant engagement, communications, reporting, curriculum delivery, and operational efficiency.

• Stay informed of emerging trends in entrepreneurship, innovation, technology, venture development, and AI.

• Identify opportunities to incorporate AI-related learning, tools, and resources into JVenture programming.

• Encourage participants to leverage emerging technologies to accelerate innovation and business growth.

Task Force, Donor, and Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as the primary liaison between JVenture participants, Federation staff, the JVenture Task Force, mentors, investors, and donors.

• Support Task Force meetings, communications, reporting, and engagement activities.

• Prepare reports, updates, presentations, and program materials for stakeholders.

• Assist in stewarding funders, donors, sponsors, and strategic partners connected to the initiative.

• Represent JVenture and Federation professionally throughout the community.

• Support fundraising, sponsorship development, and donor engagement efforts as requested.

Measurement, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Track and maintain program metrics, participant outcomes, and impact data.

• Monitor key performance indicators related to participant engagement, venture growth, capital formation, and community impact.

• Prepare reports and impact summaries for Federation leadership, funders, donors, and stakeholders.

• Maintain accurate program records and documentation.

• Utilize data and participant feedback to support continuous improvement and program refinement.

Alumni Engagement and Growth

• Develop and maintain relationships with program alumni.

• Create opportunities for ongoing engagement, mentorship, networking, and collaboration among alumni.

• Support the development of an alumni network that contributes to the long-term sustainability of JVenture.

• Identify opportunities to strengthen participant retention, alumni engagement, and long-term community involvement.

Qualifications and Success Factors

• Minimum of five years of experience in entrepreneurship, startup ecosystems, venture support, business development, innovation programs, accelerator or incubator management, economic development, or related fields.

• Demonstrated experience managing complex projects, programs, or entrepreneurial initiatives.

• Strong relationship-building, networking, and stakeholder management skills.

• Experience working with entrepreneurs, founders, mentors, investors, or startup communities preferred.

• Demonstrated proficiency utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technologies to improve productivity, project management, communications, research, content development, business operations, or program delivery.

• Strong understanding of emerging trends in entrepreneurship, innovation, technology, and artificial intelligence.

• Excellent organizational, communication, facilitation, and presentation skills.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently in a fast-paced and entrepreneurial environment.

• Experience coordinating events, workshops, cohort-based learning experiences, or leadership development programs.

• Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and execution skills.

• Familiarity with the Palm Beach County business and entrepreneurial community preferred.

• Knowledge of Jewish communal organizations, Jewish values, and the local Jewish community preferred.

• Passion for entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership development, economic opportunity, and community building.

Key Performance Indicators

• Participant recruitment and retention

• Cohort completion rates

• Mentor recruitment, engagement, and satisfaction

• Participant satisfaction and program experience

• Strategic partnerships developed and maintained

• Community partnership engagement and collaboration outcomes

• Relationship development with mentors, investors, donors, ecosystem partners, and stakeholders

• Successful execution of workshops, events, pitch competitions, and program milestones

• Timely completion of deliverables and adherence to established program timelines

• Budget management and adherence to approved program budget

• Community engagement outcomes

• Alumni participation, engagement, and retention

• Venture growth and business development outcomes

• Program impact measurement and reporting

• Overall program growth, sustainability, and continuous improvement

Independent Contractor Status

This position is an independent contractor role and is not an employee of the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County. The contractor will be responsible for all applicable taxes, insurance, licenses, and business expenses associated with providing services under this agreement.

The Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.