36 Degrees North Seeks Executive Director

36 Degrees North (36°N) is Tulsa’s basecamp for entrepreneurs, providing high-quality coworking space, a diverse community of passionate innovators, and helpful connections to business resources so business owners can connect, grow and create long-lasting, impactful businesses.  Since its founding in 2016, it has become home to over 900 innovators, built partnerships with a wide range of corporate, academic and philanthropic organizations, and is poised to launch the next stage of its growth. The organization seeks a visionary leader who can build upon a strong foundation and create a central address for the startup ecosystem in the region, providing a hospitable environment for innovators in a wide range of industries. As the scale and scope of innovation grows, 36°N will be the catalyst for economic expansion, job creation, and enhanced community-building in Tulsa and beyond.

Position Summary
36 Degrees North is a 501(c)(3) organization led by the Executive Director, who reports directly to the Executive Committee and Board of Directors.  The Executive Director is 36°N’s internal and external leader with high visibility throughout the local, regional and national venture communities. The successful candidate must demonstrate strong growth leadership or adaptation to change within an industry, preferably as either an entrepreneur or as an entrepreneurial ecosystem builder and must provide examples of strong connections within the local, state, and national levels.  The ideal candidate will have a successful record of partnerships with external organizations responsible for economic development, entrepreneurship, business incubation, and/or community outreach. The ideal candidate also has experience managing or working with community partners across a broad range of industries and sectors.

Responsibilities
The Executive Directorship is an initiative-taking role involving a mix of strategic planning, operating, managerial, and stakeholder leadership activities. The Executive Director will be supported by a team that includes the Board of Directors, a talented staff, and a broad coalition of community organizations including founding, university, corporate and programming partners.  

Specific responsibilities include:

• Develop a strategic plan and implementation strategy for achieving 36N’s overall mission as defined by the Board of Directors.  The strategic plan must include the appropriate benchmarks, metrics, and a timeframe for measuring progress;

• Maintain the financial health and sustainability of the organization, including fundraising, budgeting, compliance and risk management;

• Be a passionate advocate for start-up teams, inclusivity and racial diversity, and the Tulsa entrepreneurship ecosystem with a broad range of stakeholders;

• Work proactively with the Board to further 36°N’s mission by creating partnerships with local, regional, and national incubators and accelerators, mentorship organizations, corporations, funders, and government entities;

• Assess the needs of the existing membership and broader Tulsa community to identify high-value programming, mentorship, funding, and partnerships to add to the 36°N platform;

• Oversee and maintain the culture of the organization to fulfill both its philanthropic mission and its business aspirations;

• Represent 36°N and Tulsa locally and nationally through speaking engagements, strategic relationships, and other initiatives;

• Develop and renew partnerships with local, regional, and national foundations, civic organizations, universities, businesses, and others when appropriate;

• Performs other duties as required to meet the overall mission, goals, and objectives of 36°N.

Qualifications
The ideal candidate will possess proven leadership skills; demonstrated knowledge of start-up culture and best practices; excellent interpersonal, communication, and financial management skills; and the ability to work in and sustain a collaborative team model.  

• Experience as a change agent leading a rapidly growing organization or initiative.

• Proven leadership and management experience which includes working with diverse stakeholders up, down and across organizations.

• A track record working with community groups, innovators, and thought-leaders in the entrepreneurial, government, and corporate sectors.

• Success as a fundraiser and able to engage philanthropic, corporate, public and VC decision-makers.

• Success managing and mentoring a team of professionals and the ability to recognize and attract talent.

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field required; advanced degrees or other evidence of intellectual curiosity highly advantageous.

• Live in, or able to relocate to Tulsa, OK within a reasonable timeframe. (TBD)

Is this role a good fit? You decide.

• You get start-ups.  You speak the language. Your experience with founders and investors positions you to support a diverse group of entrepreneurs.

• You have a collaborative and inclusive approach to leadership. You naturally build strong relationships and establish credibility with a wide-range of leaders and team members across the organization as a trusted colleague and mentor.

• You are an exceptional communicator. You know how to synthesize and translate complex information for a broad spectrum of audiences, from subject matter experts, to investors, to community members.

• You are adaptable, strategic and agile. You naturally anticipate future consequences and trends, and incorporate them into the organizational plan, and when things don’t go according to plan - you know how to roll with the punches.

• You’re a master planner and capacity builder. You know how to operationalize program strategy and develop the plans, processes and people to execute, ensuring the enterprise runs smoothly and goals are met.

• You are a coach, an ear and a mentor for startups, and a credible voice with the media and influencers.

Physical Demands

• Regular demands include talking, hearing, seeing, typing, sitting, and standing.

• Occasional demands include lifting up to fifty pounds, walking, reaching with arms and hands, balancing, and stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling.

Work Environment

• Occasional need to utilize personal transportation, must have valid driver’s license and auto insurance

36°N is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to inclusive hiring, and dedicated to diversity in its work, on its staff, and with community partners. This is an exceptional opportunity for a professional from an underrepresented group in the start-up world to help elevate entrepreneurs of all backgrounds and provide helpful opportunities for connection and growth for all.  This leadership position offers a competitive compensation package including benefits and relocation assistance.

To apply, please send resume to recruit.search@gmail.com.