Embarc Collective is a central landing zone for some of the most driven and focused startup builders in Florida. Our startup platform offers founders curated programming and a constantly-growing repository of startup resources and frameworks, on-demand coaching and mentorship, access to talent, connectivity to corporates, universities, and investors, workspace, assigned offices, conference rooms and event space in our 32,000 sq ft hub in downtown Tampa, and engagement with a peer community of 300+ founders and founding team members that lead 140+ Florida-based early-stage tech startups and growth-stage companies in healthcare and life sciences, cybersecurity and data analytics, AI and deep tech, financial and legal services, education, renewable energy and climate tech, and defense and national security, among sixty sectors.

Embarc Collective also hosts more than 300 events annually that draw 11,500+ participants into entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation conversations in downtown Tampa. Annually, almost 20,000 professionals, including hundreds of seed, venture, and growth equity investors, visit Embarc to engage with founders in our community and the high growth tech companies they lead, marking our efforts to demonstrate the vibrancy and strength of Tampa Bay’s startup and innovation ecosystem and helping lead the way for Tampa Bay and the state of Florida on the national and international stage.

Job Description Summary:

Embarc Collective, a 501c3 non-profit, invites applications for the position of Director or Vice President of Platform and Member Engagement to lead our startup platform, membership, and coaching team. We are looking for an experienced tech startup professional with deep empathy for founders, a builder’s instinct, and the credibility to engage authentically with entrepreneurs, operators, investors, and corporate partners alike.

The Director or Vice President will oversee Embarc Collective’s Platform and Membership team and the organization’s coaching team (part-time contractors) and reports directly to the CEO. The position will be responsible for driving and executing the strategic vision for Embarc Collective’s startup platform — curated programming and access to a growing repository of startup resources and frameworks, on-demand coaching and mentorship, access to talent, community workshops and events, and other touchpoints that create value for member companies. This person will also be responsible for developing and overseeing market sector and technology experts from Embarc Collective corporate and university partners and will serve as the primary liaison for engagement with Embarc Collective’s national network of seed, venture, and growth equity investors.

This role is on-site and structured within a 40-hour workweek, but there will be some after-5 pm work events required, so your schedule may fluctuate on a week-to-week basis.

What we’re looking for:

• At least five (5) years of experience for Director position and at least ten (10) years of experience for Vice President position in the following (or equivalent) roles: community leadership, platform leadership, startup or innovation hub operations or venture investment portfolio operations roles, venture capital, startup accelerators or incubators, or a founder, cofounder or senior founding team member at a high-growth tech company.
• Demonstrated track record of designing and scaling programs that deliver measurable outcomes for entrepreneurs or innovation communities.
• Exceptional relationship-builder that can build trust quickly with founders, investors, and senior executives, and you sustain those relationships over time.
• Experience leading and developing teams, with the ability to inspire, coach, and hold people accountable in a mission-driven environment.
• Ability to “dot connect” making introductions and connections between ecosystem stakeholders (companies, investors, corporates, etc.).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and interpersonal skills.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage and work with different personalities/work styles.
• Highly organized, self-directed, and action oriented.
• Thrive in a fast-paced startup setting where adaptability and wearing multiple hats are essential.
• Driven, self-motivated, enthusiastic and with a “can do” attitude
• Experience in or a genuine connection to the Tampa Bay region and/or state of Florida is a plus; a willingness to be deeply embedded in the local ecosystem is a must.
• BS or BA degree.

If this sounds like you, we want to connect:

• You combine strategic thinking with a strong bias for execution. You have a creative mind that can drive value to a community of driven, focused startup builders and can set a vision and roll up your sleeves to make it real.
• You are a strong relationship-builder. You excel at building trust, unifying teams around a shared vision, and driving organizational impact and performance by ensuring clear, consistent messaging and you can sustain those relationships over time.
• You are deeply curious about the startup and venture landscape. You ae excited to help position Florida as a leading hub for tech startups, you remain current on funding trends, emerging sectors, and the evolving needs of founders, and you’re eager to learn about emerging technologies and the broader innovation ecosystem.
• You are a compelling communicator and comfortable in public settings. You are comfortable representing the organization to diverse audiences including elected officials and policymakers, major donors and other funders, corporate executives and university leadership, investors, and media.
• You thrive in a collaborative environment. This role requires working closely with team members across the organization, and you have a track record of success in teamwork and managing multiple projects simultaneously.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation package that are competitive with the market and commensurate with experience, including base salary, performance bonus eligibility, and benefits package. We strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

Submit your resume to jobs@embarccollective.com with subject line: “Director/VP of Platform and Member Engagement.” The deadline to apply is Monday, May 4. Interviews will begin on Monday, May 11. Please contact Tim R. Holcomb Ph.D., CEO, at tim@embarccollective.com with questions about the position.

Embarc Collective does not discriminate based on race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits.

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