Managing Director - Great Lakes Innovation Accelerator

gener8tor seeks a Managing Director to lead its Chicago-based Great Lakes Innovation Accelerator. The role runs three annual accelerator cohorts, supports early-stage water and ocean technology startups, deploys non-dilutive grant funding, develops ecosystem partnerships, coaches founders, and manages NOAA-related reporting and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Recruit startup applicants and lead due diligence and selection for three cohorts annually.
• Develop relationships with mentors, investors, ecosystem partners, and federal stakeholders.
• Coach founders on financial modeling, go-to-market strategy, fundraising, and pitch decks.
• Monitor startup progress before, during, and after accelerator programs.
• Plan and execute accelerator programs and related logistics.
• Manage external partner relationships, reporting, and key metrics.
• Support award allocation and follow-on support decisions.
• Assist alumni with mentor, sponsor, and investor relations.
• Support federal reporting, quarterly startup reporting, subrecipient monitoring, and award administration.
• Represent the program with NOAA and the IOOS community.
• Contribute to broader gener8tor initiatives and strategic projects.

Requirements

• Experience in water, ocean, environmental, or adjacent hard-tech sectors.
• Ability to evaluate sensing, autonomy, treatment, and remote-sensing companies.
• Experience as a founder or employee in a venture-backed company.
• Operating experience in a water or ocean technology company.
• Experience with capital-intensive hardware companies, long development cycles, pilot-dependent sales, and regulatory exposure.
• Collaborative mindset and ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, responsibilities, and relationships.
• Experience with federally funded programs preferred.
• Knowledge of startup and venture capital communities.
• Willingness to travel up to 25% and work some nights and weekends.
• Strong interpersonal, relationship-building, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Commitment to equity across race, place, and gender.