Future Founders Foundation Seeks Youth Entrepreneurship Program Coordinator

April 24, 2013

The Future Founders Foundation is seeking a dynamic individual to join our team this summer to run our youth entrepreneurship program.

Position Objective:
The Program Coordinator will manage Future Founders, our youth entrepreneurship program for high school students. The program has grown significantly over the last eight years and has been recognized by the Mayor of Chicago, the Chicago City Council and all of the city’s major media outlets.

The Coordinator’s role will include the following:

• STRATEGY – Provide guidance to the President & CEO on enhancing and expanding the program.
• PROGRAM ACTIVITIES – Recruit and train volunteer mentors for program sessions. Facilitate and attend all in-class mentoring sessions to ensure the consistency and quality of service. During the sessions, the Coordinator will provide on-site support to students, teachers and volunteers.
• MENTORING – Motivate and coach students individually and in groups to help them create business plans.
• EVENT PLANNING – Plan all program events including Big Idea Day (annual kickoff), Citywide Business Plan Competition (culminating event for 350+ people at the Hard Rock Café) and Future Founders Academy (week-long summer business camp).
• NETWORKING – Recruit new volunteer mentors that reflect the students’ demographic profile.  Serve as a spokesperson for the organization at various entrepreneurial community events.
• FUNDRAISING – Work with the Foundation team to secure new funding for the program and organization as a whole. As part of this, the Coordinator will implement strategies to evaluate the current and long-term effectiveness of our programs.
• MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA – Develop strategies to engage the program’s volunteers, sponsors, partners and other key stakeholders throughout the year. Also, generate local and national interest for the program.

The Program Coordinator will also assist the team with the execution of our Connect to the Future and Lemonade Day Chicago programs.

While there is no “typical day” in this role, from October to early April, the Coordinator will spend the bulk of his/her time planning and attending all of our in-class sessions. From late April to September, the Coordinator will oversee our main program events and work on strategic projects for the organization.

Reports to: President & CEO, Future Founders Foundation
Start Date: June 24, 2013
Location: The Future Founders Foundation is headquartered at Lightbank’s offices (600 W. Chicago Ave., Suite 775, Chicago, IL 60654).  The Program Coordinator will spend 60-70% in the field at various Chicago locations during the school year.

Preferred Credentials:

• College graduate with a major in entrepreneurship, business, technology or related field.
• 1-3 years of experience in a business environment.
• Enjoy working with teenagers.
• Have experience starting a business or working in a start-up environment.
• Have experience teaching or working with students in a youth program.
• Have experience working in low-income/economically disadvantaged areas.
• Have experience recruiting and training volunteers.

Desired Background, Skills and Abilities:

• Possess a tremendous passion for inspiring young entrepreneurs.
• Experience in business plan creation is encouraged.
• Possess strong written and oral presentation skills.
• Problem solving, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Have the experience, professional credibility and personal attributes necessary to forge productive relationships with people inside and outside the organization.
• Capable of high levels of project management, event planning, marketing and social media.
• Ability to work well in teams and independently.
• Demonstrate initiative for assignments and be a self-starter.
• Capable of multi-tasking, prioritizing work and meeting deadlines.
• Detail-oriented.
• Be computer-literate with experience in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher and Outlook).
• Have a valid driver’s license in the United States.
• Must be able to move, lift, carry, push, pull, and place objects weighing up to 40 pounds without assistance.
• Desire to have fun while making a difference in the lives of our youth.

Application Process:

Please submit your resume and cover letter in a PDF or Word format to careers@futurefounders.com.  In the subject line, write Youth Entrepreneurship Program Coordinator Application.  After you submit your application, you will receive an automated response asking you to complete our brief candidate survey.  Once you complete the survey, your application will be complete and will be reviewed.  Applications will be accepted through May 15, 2013.  First-round interviews will begin the week of May 20, 2013.  Selected candidates will be notified of their application status via email.