Center on Rural Innovation

Providing technical support, troubleshooting complex enterprise issues, and creating knowledge base content. | Extensive experience in technical support, troubleshooting, and documentation, with skills in Windows, Linux, VMware, storage, and networking. | About the Organization The Center on Rural Innovation (CORI) is a social enterprise driving economic prosperity in rural America through entrepreneurship and tech job creation. Focused on the 500 U.S. micropolitan communities with populations between 10,000 and 50,000, our Rural Innovation Network spans 40 regions across 25 states. At CORI, we believe rural America can lead in the innovation economy. Our 35-person team works alongside local leaders to build thriving, tech-enabled ecosystems, combining community strategy, research, and talent development with the CORI Innovation Fund, our venture arm investing in scalable rural startups. Together, our programs and capital create a powerful model for unlocking innovation and inclusive growth across rural America. The Opportunity The Program Division is undergoing a transformational restructuring to better serve and expand the Rural Innovation Network, ensuring rural America thrives in the tech and AI era. We are aligning around a seamless community journey and a unified program team spanning tech workforce development, entrepreneurship and startup support, and strategic leadership capacity building. This integrated approach enables learners, leaders, and founders to access equitable pathways to skills, quality jobs, and venture-ready company building. Our north star is a more inclusive and resilient tech economy—one where rural people co-author the future, and influence how the tech economy grows. As these impacts take root and grow, they naturally strengthen learner and founder pipelines and create the conditions for investable opportunities within the CORI Innovation Fund, and innovation-based economic growth in rural communities. The Program Division will play a vital role in advancing CORI’s strategic goals: Growing the Network while deepening engagement and peer connections; Accelerating the startup pipeline by expanding innovation spaces, founder support, and access to capital; and Leading AI skilling in rural America. We will achieve these goals by innovating our delivery model through better use of technology, AI, and data to deliver greater value and impact for the communities we serve. Essential Job Responsibilities Essential Job Responsibilities Program Delivery ( 60%) Responsible for delivery of a portfolio of Startup support programs, ensuring quality delivery and strong community engagement. Includes development of new direct Founder support programs and ongoing capacity to CORI’s core entrepreneurship programs Lead end-to-end management of Startup support programs, including program design and evaluation. The scope will include programs like the founder-facing studio-style program currently in development, the annual Small Towns, Big Ideas Pitch Event, the CORI Mentor Network, a monthly “startup roundup” event, and support initiative in partnership with the CORI Innovation Fund, and more to-be-designed Design, implement, and evaluate founder-focused programs and investment readiness initiatives that prepare founders for growth and funding In collaboration with project managers, manage timelines, budgets, and resources for startup programs and initiatives, ensuring clear accountability for quality, on-time deliverables and ensure programs meet outcome goals Build and manage partnerships with Startup Support ecosystem stakeholders Contribute to each community’s strategy and provide technical guidance and mentorship to Network members on Startup and Founder support Develop and deliver workshops, training sessions, and knowledge-sharing events for community leaders and founders in partnership with the Senior Program Manager, Entrepreneurship Ecosystems Assess community and program needs using data and evidence, gathering insights from partners and experts to shape strategies and strengthen program design and delivery Provide direct advisory support to rural founders, helping them refine pitches and business models, validate products, and navigate startup challenges. Advise on AI adoption for product, operations, and GTM where relevant. Build and manage partnerships with mentors, investors, and ecosystem organizations that expand access to capital and resources for rural startups. Coordinate investor pipelines with the CORI Innovation Fund and other capital partners while maintaining appropriate independence and transparency. Continue to contribute to entrepreneurship ecosystem programming as part of the transition portfolio mix, supporting innovation hub feasibility studies, mentor networks, and ecosystem design engagements as needed. Integrate AI tools and methods into program delivery to improve founder learning, mentoring, and business development outcomes. Facilitate stakeholder engagement sessions, workshops, and presentations to drive alignment and ensure project success Portfolio Management and Program Development (40%) Pilot and refine Startup Support programs tailored to Founder needs, ensuring offerings are relevant, high-quality, and scalable. Coordinate cross-team collaboration to integrate AI tools and innovation practices into program delivery and evaluation systems (readiness rubrics, venture pipeline dashboards, mentor matching) Pilot and refine startup programs tailored to the needs of rural founders and community partners, ensuring offerings are high-quality, inclusive, and scalable Lead regular program reviews, synthesizing findings into actionable insights and recommendations to refine strategy, strengthen delivery, and embed continuous learning across programs In collaboration with the Data Analytics team (MDA) and the Senior Program Manager, Entrepreneurship Ecosystems, support the tracking of founder outcomes to assess impact and opportunities for improvement Document and scale successful Startup support models across the Rural Innovation Network to promote shared learning, working with the Manager, Community Learning & Engagement Contribute to proposals and grant reporting, ensuring alignment with funder requirements and organizational strategy (including scopes and outcome targets for founder programs) Support the Director of Entrepreneurship to pilot and refine new offerings and partnerships that enhance founder success and drive deal flow for the CORI Innovation Fund Qualifications The ideal candidate will have the following professional and personal qualities, skills and characteristics: Skills & Experience At least 5 - 10 years of relevant experience Exceptional verbal communication skills, including active listening, small group facilitation, and public speaking Strong customer discovery and solution development skills Founder support and startup program design Entrepreneurship program facilitation and delivery Investment readiness and capital access experience Strong AI fluency and familiarity with digital tools for startups Entrepreneurial mindset and experience advising founders Characteristics Passion for rural innovation and inclusive entrepreneurship Collaborative, solutions-oriented, and comfortable advising founders and community leaders Strong communicator and facilitator with a service mindset Strategic thinker with the ability to balance program execution and continuous improvement Proactive, organized, and accountable to clear outcomes and timelines Curious and improvement-oriented, with a bias for practical, scalable solutions Location This role is fully remote, but will require travel 25% - 35% of the time to rural communities across the United States and/or 3-4 times a year for in-person staff / team meetings. Competitive salary - $100,000 - $119,000 - DOE Annual professional development allowance Medical, dental, vision, life and short-term disability insurance 5% employer matched 401k after 90 days Home office set-up allowance Employee Assistance Program Fifteen days accrued PTO, plus eight floating holidays

Manage and support rural workforce development programs, coordinate with partners, and ensure program outcomes and data tracking. | Experience in program management, community engagement, data analysis, and familiarity with AI tools or willingness to learn. | About the Organization The Center on Rural Innovation (CORI) is a social enterprise driving economic prosperity in rural America through entrepreneurship and tech job creation. Focused on the 500 U.S. micropolitan communities with populations between 10,000 and 50,000, our Rural Innovation Network spans 40 regions across 25 states. At CORI, we believe rural America can lead in the innovation economy. Our 35-person team works alongside local leaders to build thriving, tech-enabled ecosystems, combining community strategy, research, and talent development with the CORI Innovation Fund, our venture arm investing in scalable rural startups. Together, our programs and capital create a powerful model for unlocking innovation and inclusive growth across rural America. The Opportunity The Program Division is undergoing a transformational restructuring to better serve and expand the Rural Innovation Network, ensuring rural America thrives in the tech and AI era. We are aligning around a seamless community journey and a unified portfolio spanning tech workforce development, entrepreneurship and startup support, and strategic leadership capacity building. This integrated approach enables learners, leaders, and founders to access equitable pathways to skills, quality jobs, and venture-ready company building. Our north star is a more inclusive and resilient tech economy, one where rural people have a seat at the table. As these impacts take root and grow, they naturally strengthen founder pipelines and create the conditions for investable opportunities within the CORI Innovation Fund. The Programs team will play a vital role in advancing CORI’s strategic goals: Growing the Network while deepening engagement and peer connections; Accelerating the startup pipeline by expanding innovation spaces, founder support, and access to capital; and Leading AI skilling in rural America. We will achieve these goals by innovating our delivery model through better use of technology, AI, and data to deliver greater value and impact for the communities we serve. The Program Manager, Tech Workforce supports the implementation of CORI’s technology workforce and skilling initiatives. Reporting to the Director, Tech Workforce, this role manages day-to-day program operations, coordinates partners and participants, and ensures timely delivery of tech and AI skilling programs such as bootcamps, roundtables, and pilot initiatives. The Program Manager is focused on execution, facilitating learner success, managing logistics, and collecting data to evaluate outcomes. This position is accountable for high-quality, on-time program delivery, learner participation and completion, and effective coordination with community and training partners. Essential Job Responsibilities Program Delivery Implements CORI’s tech and AI workforce programs to ensure a high-quality learning experience and measurable Learner and Leader success. • Coordinate day-to-day logistics for workforce programs, including scheduling, communications, materials, and event support • Facilitate virtual and in-person sessions to engage learners and community partners • Provide learner support through regular check-ins, progress tracking, and resource referrals • Assist with adaptation and deployment of curriculum materials, workshops, and career readiness sessions • Track learner participation, attendance, and completion metrics across multiple cohorts Employer and Partner Engagement Supports relationships among employers, training providers, and community organizations to strengthen rural workforce ecosystems. • Communicate regularly with partners to coordinate program implementation and gather feedback and ensure quality execution and that program components run smoothly • Support employer engagement efforts that connect learners to work-based learning, internships, and employment opportunities • Assist in identifying and onboarding local delivery partners and training providers • Collaborate with community leaders to promote programs and recruit diverse learners • Represent CORI at regional and national events, forums, and partner convenings to advance rural workforce goals Program Data, Evaluation, and Improvement Ensures continuous learning, accountability, and collaboration through strong data management and cross-team coordination. • Collect and maintain accurate program data for dashboards, evaluation, and funder reporting and supports compliance with deliverables. • Support documentation of program outcomes and preparation of impact stories, and case studies • Analyze learner and partner feedback to identify opportunities for improvement and inform program iteration • Document program outcomes, lessons learned, and promising practices for internal and external sharing • Coordinate with other CORI teams to align workforce programs with broader community strategies and innovation initiatives • Support integration of AI tools and approaches into workforce delivery and reporting systems • Contribute insights from field experience to strengthen organizational learning and best practices • Assist Project Manager with budget tracking, resource allocation, and compliance with grant deliverables • Coordinate logistics for site visits, workshops, and regional events Qualifications The ideal candidate will have the following professional and personal qualities, skills and characteristics: Skills • Program coordination and implementation support • Facilitation and community engagement • Learner support and participant communication • Project and deliverables tracking • Data collection, reporting, and documentation • Relationship management and collaboration with partners • Inclusive workforce development and digital skills literacy • Familiarity with AI tools or willingness to learn and apply them in program contexts. Personal Qualities • Passion for rural economic development and inclusive innovation • Empathetic, service-oriented relationship-builder • Strong communicator with attention to detail and follow-through • Adaptable problem solver who thrives in dynamic, fast-paced environments • Curious, proactive, and eager to learn Location This role is fully remote, but will require travel 30% of the time to rural communities across the United States and/or 3-4 times a year for in-person staff / team meetings. • Competitive salary $75,000 - $80,000 • Annual professional development allowance • Medical, dental, vision, life and short-term disability insurance • 5% employer matched 401k after 90 days • Home office set-up allowance • Employee Assistance Program • Fifteen days accrued PTO, plus eight floating holidays

Manage donor and sponsor engagement strategies, coordinate and execute fundraising events, and optimize fundraising operations and systems. | 3-6 years of experience in fundraising, member services, operations, or project management with strong organizational, communication, and tech skills. | About The Organization The Center on Rural Innovation (CORI) is a national nonprofit organization with a mission to create opportunities that empower rural people to thrive in the tech economy. Our values: Rural America is a place of untapped potential. As an organization, we believe it takes a culture of collaboration - one built upon integrity, respect, and trust - to achieve equity and help people and places take on meaningful roles in the 21st-century tech economy. We're looking for a highly organized, tech-savvy team player to join CORI as our Manager, Donor Engagement & Events. This role is a key opportunity to contribute to our mission by building essential infrastructure that supports our expanding network of donors, sponsors, and partners. Reporting directly to our Chief Growth Officer, you'll play a vital part in shaping how we connect with, engage, and expand our community. While a traditional fundraising background is valuable, it's not a prerequisite. We're particularly interested in candidates with strong project management skills, clear and compelling in person and virtual communication abilities, and an aptitude for optimizing systems. If you're eager to learn and grow within a development and events-focused role, and contribute to a powerful mission, this could be your next step. Requirements What You'll Do: Drive Impact As our Manager, Donor Engagement & Events, you'll be central to integrating our donor outreach, event execution, and operational excellence. Your responsibilities will include: Enhancing Engagement: Donor & Sponsor Relations • Implement Strategies: Support the CGO, CEO, and Board in the execution of individual donor and sponsorship engagement strategies, including appeals, campaigns, and partner outreach • Coordinate Outreach: Manage donor research, meticulously track outreach efforts, ensure timely follow-ups, and expertly schedule interactions for leadership and development teams • Develop Communications: Collaborate with our development and communications teams to prepare engaging donor communications, gift acknowledgments, and sponsorship proposals • Maintain Data Integrity: Utilize our CRM to track donor and sponsor information, ensuring data accuracy and generating actionable reports that inform our strategy • Direct Donor Engagement: Build and strengthen relationships with donors and sponsors through independent meetings, both in person and virtually. Accompany senior leadership on fundraising trips and events, ensuring meaningful engagement and providing staffing support to maximize donor connections Executing Experiences: Event Coordination & Support • Plan & Execute Events: Work closely with our communications, operations, and program teams to plan, promote, and execute impactful donor and sponsor-facing events, both virtual and in-person • Manage Logistics: In partnership with Operations, oversee all event logistics, including invitation lists, registration systems, run-of-show, vendor coordination, and post-event follow-up Optimizing Operations: Systems & Processes • Maintain Tools: Manage and optimize essential fundraising operations tools, including donor databases, email platforms, and project management software • Ensure Tracking: Confirm all donor and sponsor activity is accurately recorded and tracked for analysis, stewardship including thank you notes and cultivation updates, and reporting • Establish Procedures: Contribute to establishing standard operating procedures and platforms for donor and event-related processes, promoting scalable growth Who You Are: Our Ideal Candidate We're looking for a proactive and detail-oriented professional ready to contribute meaningfully. • Action-Oriented Strategist: You're a pragmatic problem-solver who thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced setting, translating concepts into effective actions • Highly Organized: Exceptionally organized, with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively • Tech-Proficient: Comfortable working with various digital tools (CRM, Google Workspace, Monday, Zoom, etc.) and eager to learn new systems • Effective Communicator: You enjoy building professional relationships and supporting mission-driven work through clear and concise communication • Donor-Facing Confidence: Comfortable representing CORI with donors, sponsors, and stakeholders, and able to build relationships with warmth, professionalism, and discretion • Committed to Growth: Open to continuous learning and professional development in fundraising, communications, or nonprofit operations What You Bring: Your Skills & Background • Professional Experience: 3-6 years of relevant professional experience in fundraising, member services, operations, project management, or related fields as applicable • Event Coordination: Demonstrated experience coordinating events or campaigns, both virtual and in-person, and comfort interacting with stakeholders. • Project Management: Proven ability to manage complex projects involving multiple stakeholders and systems • Data & Tech Acumen: Comfortable working with data, technology platforms, and process development • Mission Alignment: A genuine interest in and alignment with our mission focused on economic opportunity, digital equity, and rural prosperity Physical Requirements: Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Location: Fully remote; travel to our Hartland, VT headquarters, other rural locations is required for in-person meetings and travel to growth/development events as scheduled. Preference given to candidates in the Central or Eastern time zones. IMPORTANT NOTES: • Skipped application questions will result in disqualification. • Due to the pace of this search, candidates are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible • Center on Rural Innovation will manage the application and review process using our Workable platform. Please do not call or email; please direct all inquiries through this system. We are unable to respond to phone and email inquiries at this time. Benefits Compensation and Benefits • Competitive salary - $80,000 - $90,000 - DOE • Annual professional development allowance • 100% employer paid health, dental, vision, life and short-term disability insurance • 5% employer matched 401k after 90 days • Home office set-up allowance • Employee Assistance Program • Fifteen days accrued PTO, plus eight floating holidays CORI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome candidates from diverse backgrounds and perspectives, believing that everyone's unique story adds value to our mission. • We are seeking candidates who currently live in a rural area or have lived in a rural area for more than 5 years. Rural is defined as a town with a Rural Urban Commuting Area (RUCA) code of 4 or higher as determined by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy.**