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Nashville Entrepreneur Center

Program Manager

Nashville, TN

Position Description / Responsibilities

Position: Program Manager

Status: Full Time, Exempt

Location: Nashville, TN

Reports To: Director of Programs

Number of Hires: 2

Updated: April 2026

Application Deadline: April 24, 2026

Nashville Entrepreneur Center (EC) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 2010 to support people and businesses through every stage of their entrepreneurial journey. We exist to help make Nashville the best place to start and grow a business by increasing the likelihood of success for entrepreneurs.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As a Program Manager at the EC, you will report to the Director of Programs and play a central role in driving founder outcomes and program performance through the execution and continuous improvement of EC programs, including Project Healthcare, PreFlight, TakeOff, and InFlight. You are responsible for recruiting high-potential founders, managing cohort delivery, curating partnerships, and ensuring each founder graduates with measurable traction and growth in their business.

This role combines program management, founder support, and ecosystem engagement. You will work closely with Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EiRs), advisors, investors, and community partners to deliver a best-in-class experience across EC programs. Currently, each Program Manager is primarily responsible for either the EC’s industry accelerator (Project Healthcare) or stage-based programs (PreFlight, TakeOff, Inflight). Program assignments are determined based on organizational priorities, program needs, and individual strengths. While Program Managers take full ownership of assigned program(s), they will have opportunities to contribute across multiple programs over time, building a well-rounded understanding of founders at different stages and industries.

At the EC, programs are not just events or experiences – they are a catalyst for real business growth.

The Program Manager plays a critical role in shaping how founders think, make decisions, and move their businesses forward. The quality of this role directly impacts the trajectory of the entrepreneurs we serve and the strength of Nashville’s startup ecosystem.

Success measures for this role include:

  • Drive program applications that meet or exceed recruitment targets each cycle to ensure a competitive and diverse cohort
  • Net Promoter Score (NPS) ≥ 60 across all cohorts
  • Earned revenue from program participants that meets or exceeds goals
  • Collaboration to secure contributed revenue from program partners and sponsors that meets or exceeds goals
  • All program activities delivered on time, within budget, and aligned to EC’s standards of quality

 

Primary responsibilities include:

  • Recruitment, Selection & Onboarding
    • Drive outreach and recruitment strategies to build a strong, competitive applicant pipeline
    • Partner with the EC Marketing team and external partners to expand visibility and reach
    • Lead the selection process in collaboration with Selection Committees to ensure a diverse and high-quality cohort
    • Coordinate onboarding of new founders, including administrative setup, clear communication of expectations, and preparation of onboarding materials
  • Program Delivery & Founder Support
    • Lead the execution of assigned program(s), including curriculum scheduling, cohort management, logistics, and event planning
    • Serve as the primary point of contact for program participants, providing direct support and ensuring meaningful connections, high engagement, and progress toward goals
    • Coordinate planning meetings, manage session agendas, calendar invitations, speaker confirmation, meeting documentation, and supporting materials
    • Collaborate with program team and EiRs to connect founders to relevant resources and ensure program design addresses participant needs
  • Partnerships & Ecosystem Building
    • Build and maintain relationships with relevant ecosystem partners — including industry stakeholders, investors, corporations, and community organizations
    • Source experts, mentors, and speakers to enrich program delivery
    • Represent EC and its programs at external events to enhance visibility and thought leadership
    • Collaborate with the EC Development and Marketing teams to execute sponsorship opportunities and support the EC brand
  • Collaboration & Wraparound Support
    • Partner with the Director of Engagement to ensure founders receive tailored advisor and capital connections
    • Collaborate with the Community Manager to support graduate-to-member conversion
    • Contribute to cross-program initiatives such as Nashville Entrepreneur Day, mixers, and webinars
  • Tracking & Reporting
    • Manage and track founder metrics, feedback, and program KPIs to assess progress toward goals
    • Ensure efficient gathering, storage, and reporting of relevant data
    • Regularly report founder wins, alumni engagement, and program impact to EC leadership
    • Support management of program participant contracts, payments, and budget monitoring as needed
    • Perform other duties as assigned

Position Requirements

ABOUT YOU

The ideal candidate is a connector and operator who thrives on supporting founders and brings both precision and empathy to the work. You love bringing structure and clarity to fast-moving environments while cultivating the relationships that fuel founder success. You move easily between program execution, stakeholder engagement, and partnership building, and you’re energized by the opportunity to help entrepreneurs at all stages.

Qualifications include:

  • Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree or above in a related field
  • Proven experience in program management, accelerator management, entrepreneurship, or a related field; nonprofit or startup experience a plus
  • Demonstrated success in recruiting, coaching, and retaining founders or clients in growth environments
  • Experience building and sustaining meaningful relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including founders, partners, investors, and community organizations.
  • Clear and credible communication across diverse audiences, with strong written, verbal, and facilitation skills
  • A strong program operator who can manage details while keeping sight of big-picture outcomes
  • Curious with the ability to lean into new environments and learn quickly
  • Stays calm and solutions-oriented in the face of competing priorities
  • Independently motivated, managing daily workflow while remaining aligned to program objectives
  • Proactive approach to identifying and solving problems
  • Proficiency in project management and data tracking (ClickUp and Google Workspace experience preferred)
  • Commitment to the mission of the EC

 

ADDITIONAL JOB INFORMATION

  • This is a full-time exempt position based in Nashville, TN.
  • Salary range is $68,000-$72,000, dependent on experience
  • Comprehensive benefits package, including medical insurance (an employee-only coverage, high-deductible medical plan option available at no cost to employee), company-paid life insurance, an employee assistance program with dental, vision, and disability options, and a 401(k) matching option
  • Paid time off, plus 15 annual holidays, including time off between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day
  • Regular onsite presence is critical to ensure smooth operations and regular interaction with those we serve. A hybrid work schedule can be arranged with approval from the Director of Programs

Application Instructions

ABOUT THE EC

Our Mission

Grounded by our values, we’re on a mission to help make Nashville the best place to start and grow a business by increasing the likelihood of success for entrepreneurs. We’re proud to be a steward of Nashville’s entrepreneurial legacy by lifting the entrepreneur’s voices and telling stories that celebrate how they make our world better and teach others as they give back – keeping the cycle of entrepreneurship alive.

Our Culture

We strive to be as innovative as the founders we support. Our team is highly collaborative and flexible. We take initiative to help each other and our community outside the bounds of department or expertise. Most importantly, we are driven to serve Nashville entrepreneurs, make entrepreneurship accessible to all, and continue our legacy of positive impact.

Our Values

  • Better Together
  • Growth Mindset
  • Purposeful Risk-Taking
  • Entrepreneur at the Center
  • Own the Mission

 

At the Nashville Entrepreneur Center, we value a diverse workplace and strongly encourage all genders, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. The NEC is an equal-opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws. Those applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application or interview process should notify an organization representative at hr@ec.co.

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