Executive Director

Michigan Founders Fund - Ann Arbor, MI; Ann Arbor (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Michigan Founders Fund seeks an Executive Director to lead our nonprofit statewide accelerator and fundraising efforts. You will partner with the Board to shape strategy, grow programs, and ensure operational excellence across staff and partners.

The role requires compelling public presence, donor engagement, and the ability to translate startup ecosystem insights into sustainable nonprofit operations. Candidates with venture or philanthropy leadership encouraged to apply.

Job description

Michigan Founders Fund (MFF) has a vision for Michigan to be the most successful, inclusive, and community-minded startup ecosystem in the country. MFF works to drive density amongst founders, which, in turn, increases access to capital and talent. MFF Members are high-growth entrepreneurs and venture capitalists who are committed to organizational values of connection, culture, and community and have made the Michigan Pledge (1% of equity, profit, or carry) to a Michigan-focused grantmaking fund to financially support impactful organizations across the state. To do this work, MFF designs and implements robust, founder-first programming to further relationship-building, startup advancement, and community impact, while coordinating statewide initiatives in talent development and ecosystem-building.

MFF is a small, but mighty team of leaders with various experience across the tech industry, social impact, and philanthropy. The team is united by a passion for uplifting high-growth startup builders as a core economic driver for the future of Michigan.

Entering its fifth year of operation (third year as a standalone statewide entity), MFF is looking for a highly skilled Executive Director who is excited to build upon a strong foundation and take the organization to the next level of growth as a member engaged, led, and serving nonprofit enterprise. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will oversee the strategic and operational efficiencies of MFF’s programs and staff and help to design and implement next level nonprofit infrastructure that will help to meaningfully and strategically engage members, a growing board, and a growing team in the future of the organization and its programs. This entrepreneurial leader will not only understand current trends in technology and high-growth startup ecosystem development, but will also have experience in developing business models and fundraising that can translate to nonprofit success. Experience in designing, recruiting, and activating a lean staff infrastructure to best serve a member informed and led programming is critical and demonstrated ability to establish strong relationships with Michigan-based community groups is a plus. Experience with the process and incentives in venture supported growth and sale events is also a plus. Above all, the Executive Director should be highly effective in a leadership role that requires clear public presence, communication skills, and decisiveness.

More information about Michigan Founders Fund may be found at: www.michiganfoundersfund.org

Michigan Founders Fund is an equal opportunity employer and proudly values diversity. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.