Are you an enthusiastic advocate for cutting-edge technology and innovation? Does the idea of nurturing and growing a global community of trailblazing startups and scale-ups ignite your passion? Have you successfully built and fostered partnerships in the tech industry before? Are you adept at planning and executing high-impact events like networking gatherings and global summits? Do you excel in managing multiple projects simultaneously, while maintaining a structured and efficient approach? Are you a quick learner with a knack for systematizing processes to bolster an innovation ecosystem? If you’re a self-starter with a robust background in management consulting, community building, or operations, and possess a strong network in the tech world, then the role of Innovation Ecosystem Manager at The FutureList could be your next big challenge!
ABOUT US
Africa has an untapped talent pool that is increasing exponentially, with a projected workforce that will exceed India and China by 2035 Fuelled by this, our mission is to create work opportunities for millions of Africa’s youth and solve the world’s shortage of technology talent.
Our company SAND has 170+ staff members from 30+ countries with plans to acquire several companies around the world to become a multi-billion dollar global technology services provider that employs over 100K employees across the globe.
We have 3 brands represented in our ecosystem:
- With ALX, we are building the fastest-growing pool of technology talent in the world, training young talent across Software Engineering, Cloud Computing, Data Science and Salesforce. We are shaping the next generation of software engineers in over 60 countries.
- Through our talent agent, The Room, we are creating a community (43+ countries represented to date) for the World’s top tech talent sparking transformative careers by connecting top technology talent with extraordinary opportunities for impact.
- Through Sand Technologieswe support enterprises and scale-ups around the world to develop world class technology products, build great technology teams, generate more revenue, and deliver outstanding customer experience. Our clients include one of the largest cloud computing providers in the world as well as Bestseller A/S (Denmark), Create Prime (New Zealand), Stanbic Bank (Kenya), and Tamara (Dubai).
With varying levels of expertise in software development, data, cloud, machine learning, artificial intelligence, UX design, web development, etc, we providing unparalleled opportunities to technology talent worldwide while reshaping industries, disrupting traditional business models, and creating new opportunities for innovation and growth.
We do hard things!
ABOUT THE FUTURELIST & THE ROLE
The FutureList (www.thefuturelist.com), supported by SAND, is rapidly scaling, with a bold mission to identify, spotlight, and connect the world’s most innovative startups and scale-ups. Building on the initial success of our global expansion over the past year, the newly-created role of Innovation Ecosystem Manager will further develop and implement a strategy to build a thriving global community of technology innovators both online and offline.
This key contributor on The FutureList team will run our branded events, build relationships with startup founders, investors, hubs and corporates playing pivotal roles across a variety of tech ecosystems within their assigned region and beyond. In doing so, they will also enable a conducive culture and ensure a structured process for immediately adding value to our target users and maintaining an active community at a global scale.
LOCATION
Based remotely in one of our priority regions (US or Africa), with eligibility to work in that market. Your mission will be to build a thriving global community of tech innovators, both online and offline, within your assigned region. This will involve running our branded events, establishing key relationships with startup founders, investors, hubs, and corporates, and contributing significantly to the growth and dynamism of various tech ecosystems within your region and beyond.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Build Community
Host Networking Events
- Plan at least a dozen networking events in cities within your region, overseeing all details from top to bottom, ranging from venue, agenda, invitations, collateral, content capture, and feedback collection. Here is an example of a dinner we hosted in London.
- Work with the Global Research team, locally appointed Innovation Scouts, the local Innovation Advisory Board representative, and any partners to develop and invite the guest list of top local innovators.
- Either serve as host of the event in person in some cases or remotely prepare for a local Innovation Advisory Board representative to serve as face of The FutureList in your place.
- Responsible for achieving attendance and NPS score targets.
- Coordinate with global and local partners affiliated with co-hosting or sponsoring each dinner to ensure their objectives are also met.
Organize Global Summit
- Plan and execute our first global innovation summit, gathering innovators from across a variety of markets, for an in-person or hybrid event.
Develop Strategy for & Coordinate Other Online and Offline Community Events
- Experiment with a variety of other event formats, including webinars, deal rooms, learning trips and others, based on feedback and resources available through partners, sponsors, and the Innovation Scout network.
Oversee the Strategy and Growth of our Newsletter and Content
- Work with Global Research team and Marketing team to produce a weekly email newsletter and social media content calendar, making use of primarily organic strategies to achieve targets for subscribers, followers and engagement rates.
- Ensure content developed from a variety of sources align to serve the needs of our community members, partners and the growth of our ecosystem.
- Experiment with more tailored content strategies for sub-communities such as founders, investors, innovation scouts and job seekers.
Develop Partnerships
Source and Manage Relationships with Global Co-Sponsors
- Manage relationships with current sponsors to ensure their partnership objectives are met, meeting regularly with their representatives to remain aligned with their brand, goals and availability to attend events and share thought leadership. Here is an example of one of our current partners.
- Secure 2-3 additional key global partners during the first year.
Cultivate Local Market Partnerships
- Work with Innovation Advisory Board members in each tech hub to identify and collaborate with strategic ecosystem partners for co-hosting events, identifying innovators, and disseminating media.
- Experiment with other strategies and structures to enable sustainable model for achieving both local and global reach and impact.
REQUIREMENTS
- Must-Haves
- 7+ years of experience in management consulting, community building or operations management;
- 3+ years experience building partnerships;
- Concrete intrapreneurial or entrepreneurial experience;
- Demonstrated ability to learn from experimentation and testing;
- Strong relationship building skills & stakeholder management;
- Flexibility to travel frequently;
- Experience and/or passion for new technologies;
- Extensive network in the tech ecosystem;
- Highly proficient with G-suite, especially Google Sheets (intermediate skills minimum);
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
- Proactivity, resourcefulness and ability to thrive in a fast-paced, flexible, and entrepreneurial environment;
- Ability to work independently.
Nice-to-Haves
- Leadership experience and/or experience building and growing a team;
- Experience securing major event sponsorships;
- Experience designing and implementing a conference, retreat and/or summit with over 100 attendees;
- Experience managing a national or global online community and hosting regular webinars;
- Past experience founding or investing in technology startups.