West Coalition Manager (New Mexico or Nevada)
Location: New Mexico or Nevada
Position Type: Part-time (15-20 hours per week)
Compensation: $3,000 per month
About Right to Start
Right to Start is an organization working to expand entrepreneurial opportunity for all as a key civic priority. We seek to bolster our grassroots engagement and civic organizing by establishing regional coalitions dedicated to removing barriers and driving civic change for anyone who seeks to start and grow a business, regardless of race, place, or background. The coalitions will foster collaboration between entrepreneurs, entrepreneur support organizations, civic and community leaders, increase public awareness of the benefits of new and young companies for society overall, and help improve the enabling environment for entrepreneurs.
We are seeking a dedicated and passionate Coalition Manager to lead our efforts in driving civic change and removing barriers so everyone can realize their entrepreneurial dreams.
Position Overview
The West Coalition Manager will play a pivotal role in improving the entrepreneurial environment across the region by leading the creation and management of coalitions comprising entrepreneurs, entrepreneurial support organizations, and civic and community leaders. Your primary focus will be on building and organizing a formal coalition in New Mexico or Nevada, but you will also be in charge of preliminary organizing of emerging coalitions throughout the Western United States.
Specifically, you will lead:
(a) building a Coalition of local entrepreneurs, supporters, and partners,
(b) convening entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship supporters, and policymakers to share knowledge and inspire civic action,
(c) educating policymakers about entrepreneurs’ stories and policies to remove barriers, and
(d) educating the general public about entrepreneurs’ stories and engaging them to take civic action to remove barriers. In non-priority states, you will lay the foundation for future coalitions by logging potential partners and supporters and directing them to join our digital community.
This role requires a strategic and collaborative individual who can drive civic change through coalition-building, knowledge-sharing, policy advocacy, and community engagement.
Key Responsibilities
1. Coalition Building and Management
Develop and implement a strategy for building a diverse and engaged coalition of volunteers/partners/supporters in New Mexico or Nevada, who will engage in grassroots engagement activities (petition drives, public education events, etc.) to advance Right to Start’s mission
Foster collaboration and communication among coalition members to amplify the collective impact on the local entrepreneurial ecosystem
Administer the online and offline organizing of the coalition (online organizing of the coalition will be in our digital community, We are All Starters)
For other states in the Western part of the United States, outside of the priority state, lay the foundation for emerging coalitions by organizing names of supporters, referring them to online resources, keeping track of engagements, and alerting HQ staff if needed.
2. Coalition Activities
Plan/promote/execute public-facing events and convenings, including monthly meetups and look for other opportunities to where Right to Start or its allies can amplify entrepreneurship and encourage others to join the movement
Utilize Right to Start’s digital community for knowledge-sharing, inspiring civic action, and fostering a culture of collaboration within local entrepreneurial communities
Collaborate with Office of Entrepreneurship staff (in NM and NV) about how best to direct grassroots efforts to support their work
Mobilize coalition members to take action, including documenting entrepreneurs stories and barriers, and compiling and sharing these stories to raise awareness, inform policymakers, and inspire collective action
Collaborate with the Director of Field & Campaign Strategy on executing the agreed upon goal(s) for all of the western states
3. Policy Advocacy
Develop and champion a statewide policy agenda (to be overseen by Right to Start’s Chief Government Affairs Officer and Director of Field & Campaign Strategy)
Educate local and state policymakers and civic leaders (Chamber of Commerce, economic development leaders, etc.) about the challenges faced by local entrepreneurs, sharing real stories captured by the coalition's members
In coordination with the Director of Field & Campaign Strategy, generate and execute policymaker education and engagement to support more favorable entrepreneurial environments at the local and state level
4. Public Education and Engagement
Work with community partners to educate the public on entrepreneurial barriers, the power of entrepreneurship and policy issues and encourage them to join the movement, including through social media, videos, events, etc.
Be the brand ambassador and face of R2S in the community
Engage the public in civic actions to remove barriers, fostering a community that actively supports and values entrepreneurship
Who You Are
Hold a bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience)
Have proven experience in coalition-building, community engagement, grassroots organizing or related fields
Possess excellent communication and facilitation skills
Able to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including entrepreneurs, policymakers, and community leaders
Have a demonstrated commitment to lifting the voices of those left behind in the economy
Cares deeply about everyday community members trying to start and grow businesses, especially those whose voices are often unheard
Understands that the real day-to-day work of business is quiet, hard, and does not make headlines
Trusted and respected among your peers and in your broader communities, including in communities left behind economically and politically
Possess personal qualities of humility, integrity, dependability
Be willing to conduct on-the-ground, in-person coalition activities in New Mexico or Nevada with travel throughout the region.
What Would Set You Apart
Experience in and understanding of local and state policy advocacy
Established relationships with entrepreneurial support organizations or policymakers in New Mexico or Nevada and across the Western region
What We Offer
Highly flexible remote work arrangements (live anywhere)
Highly flexible hours (no fixed office hours)
Compensation
Compensation is $3,000 per month.
Our Principles
1. Everyone has a fundamental Right to Start. We have the right to pursue our entrepreneurial dreams and shape the destiny of our own lives.
2. We must protect and nourish starters. Society should provide equal access to resources for all of us to start and grow.
3. To level the playing field, tilt it. Americans don’t seek favors, but every starter deserves an equal shot to succeed.
4. Renewal comes bottom-up. Communities and nations are transformed by lifting up their people.
5. Grow ecosystems to grow economies. Prosperity for all comes by breaking barriers, fostering trust, bridging differences.
6. All of us matter. Every big idea starts small and vulnerable, and needs all of our help to grow.
Right to Start is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusion. All employment decisions at Right to Start are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, HIV status, marital status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.