Motor City Match Coordinator - Alumni Track

RiseMe; Detroit (MI); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) seeks a dynamic Alumni Program Coordinator to support Motor City Match initiatives within the Small Business Services Team. You will help maintain relationships with open businesses, coordinate alumni programming, and connect ventures to resources and ecosystem partners.

Reporting to the MCM Program Director, the role emphasizes program delivery, data tracking, and stakeholder engagement to strengthen Detroit's entrepreneurial ecosystem and support

Qualifications

• 2 - 3 years of experience in project management, program coordination, or grant administration.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, Community Development or related field a plus.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint).
• Familiarity with data management, CRM, or project management platforms.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and navigate sensitive relationships.

Responsibilities

• Support the completion of the Motor City Match Alumni Program curriculum and coordinate the launch and ongoing delivery of the program.
• Organize and facilitate alumni cohorts, workshops, networking opportunities, and other programming for open and operating Motor City Match businesses.
• Conduct ongoing outreach and engagement with Motor City Match alumni and maintain relationships with business owners.
• Serve as a point of connection for alumni navigating business challenges and connect to resources and support.
• Build relationships with Detroit entrepreneurial ecosystem partners and connect alumni with resources and mentorship.
• Maintain the Motor City Match open business tracker and alumni records.
• Collect and document feedback to identify challenges and share findings with leadership.

Skills

Project management

Program coordination

Grant administration

Microsoft 365

CRM platforms

Data management

Communication skills

Time management

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

CRM platforms

Project management tools

Job description

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND/CULTURE

The Detroit Economic Growth Corporation is a private non-profit organization leading the economic revitalization efforts for Detroit, the most exciting urban recovery in the country. The DEGC works closely with the City of Detroit and other partners to support existing businesses and bring new companies and investment to the City. The DEGC designs and implements innovative solutions that drive investment, create jobs, and build the economy through strong public-private collaborations. The DEGC’s commitment to integrity, transparency, and professionalism permeates the organization and undergirds our stature as the economic development authority for the City. The DEGC provides staff services to Detroit’s public development authorities, including The Downtown Development Authority, The Detroit Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, The Economic Development Corporation, The Eight Mile Woodward Corridor Improvement Authority, theNeighborhood Development Corporation, the Local Development Finance Authority, and the Tax Increment Finance Authority.

At the center of Detroit's economic revitalization is our robust small‑business community. Home‑grown restaurants, retailers, and providers bring needed goods and services to residents. Small businesses provide local jobs, stabilize neighborhoods, and create a sense of community. Black‑owned businesses are especially important to an inclusive and accessible economy. DEGC's Small Business Services Team manages a host of programming to help startups and established small businesses flourish.

SUMMARY OF ROLE

The Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) seeks a dynamic, experienced, and skilled individual to join our Small Business Services Team, supporting the MCM alumni business retention track. Reporting to the MCM Program Director, the person in this role will assist the team with the delivery of Motor City Match programming for open and operating businesses, including supporting the launch of new initiatives, trackoversight, coordination, and reporting.

The MCM Alumni Track Coordinator will help build a connected community of Motor City Match alumni by maintaining relationships with open businesses, coordinating alumni programming and outreach, connecting businesses to resources and ecosystem partners, and tracking ongoing business needs and outcomes. The role also supports the development of systems and processes to strengthen Motor City Match’s ongoing support of businesses after opening.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the completion of the Motor City Match Alumni Program curriculum and coordinate the launch and ongoing delivery of the program, including setting up and maintaining the alumni portal.
• Organize and facilitate alumni cohorts, workshops, networking opportunities, and other programming for open and operating Motor City Match businesses.
• Conduct ongoing outreach and engagement with Motor City Match alumni, including canvassing open businesses, maintaining relationships with business owners, and encouraging participation in alumni programming.
• Serve as a point of connection for alumni navigating business challenges, including facilitating conversations related to lease or landlord issues and connecting businesses to appropriate resources and support.
• Build relationships with Detroit entrepreneurial ecosystem partners and connect alumni with relevant technical assistance, capital, mentorship, and other business resources.
• Maintain the Motor City Match open business tracker and alumni records, including business status, engagement, referrals, and program participation.
• Collect and document feedback from open businesses to identify common challenges, emerging needs, and recurring pain points and share findings with Motor City Match leadership.
• Coordinate the administrative and operational activities directly related to Motor City Match open business and alumni programming, including program communications, documentation, scheduling, and tracking..
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES REQUIRED

• 2 - 3 years of experience in project management, program coordination, or grant administration positions that demonstrate increasing responsibility.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, Community Development or related field a plus.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft 365 environment (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, etc.).
• Familiarity with various data management, CRM, or project management platforms.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and navigate sensitive relationships with discernment.
• Organized and flexible self‑starter who can thrive in a fast‑paced environment and quickly adapt to changing circumstances.
• Must be a self‑starter, creative thinker, and problem‑solver comfortable working through ambiguity to find solutions and achieve desired results.
• High emotional intelligence, cultural competence, and strong interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate and work effectively with individuals within multigenerational audiences from diverse backgrounds and varied experiences.
• Excellent communication skills, both orally (in person, virtually, or by telephone) and in writing. Polished public speaking skills are a plus.
• Ability to receive and understand directions, ask appropriate questions, and manage time to work effectively and independently.
• Ability to multi‑task, prioritize, and manage multiple work streams simultaneously.
• Ability to maintain regular attendance and work a flexible schedule as needed to support occasional evening or community‑based programming.
• Must be self‑motivated and bring strong customer service skills to the position.
• Strong listener and learner who can adapt and innovate quickly.
• Experience interfacing with internal and external stakeholders and diverse clientele.
• Experience coordinating cohort‑based, alumni, or small business programming.
• Knowledge of Detroit’s small business and entrepreneurial support ecosystem.
• Respect for and a genuine interest in advancing the growth of small Detroit‑based businesses.

Physical Requirements

• Sitting/Standing/Walking/Computer Use: Frequently
  • Ability to sit and work at a computer for extended periods while performing administrative, reporting, communication, and data management activities.
  • Frequent use of a computer, keyboard, mouse, and telephone
  • Ability to regularly stand, walk, and move throughout office, meeting, training, and community settings.
  • Ability to navigate various business locations and community venues, including stairs where elevators may not be available.
• Driving/Local travel: Frequently
  • Ability to travel locally throughout the City of Detroit to conduct business outreach, site visits, community engagement activities, meetings, and program‑related events.
• Reaching/Bending/Lifting (carrying) up to 20 lbs: Occasionally
  • Ability to occasionally bend, stoop, reach, and carry supplies, materials, or equipment weighing up to 20 pounds.
  • Ability to set up, arrange, and dismantle materials for workshops, networking events, presentations, and community meetings.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

DEGC is currently operating on a Hybrid schedule. Candidates should know that all employees must do in‑person work at least twice weekly. This in‑person work includes but is not limited to reporting to the DEGC office, community engagement, and in‑person meetings. DEGC reserves the right to terminate the Hybrid work schedule for any individual or all employees at any time, at its sole discretion.

COMPENSATION:

A competitive compensation package will be provided to the successful candidates. The salary range depends on experience and includes a full range of benefits.

The DEGC is committed to equal employment opportunities for all employees and providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national, social, or ethnic origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.