Senior Program Manager - Start2 Group - Scale-up.NRW Programm (m/f/d)

Start2 Group is the global partner of growth-oriented startups, companies, investors and governments to scale new business models. The Group supports all key milestones in the development of innovation and growth – from the first fundraising to international expansion.

Since its founding in 2008, Start2 Group has played a key role in innovation ecosystems in Europe, America, South America, Asia and the United Arab Emirates.

In your role, you are responsible for the strategic expansion and activation of this community. You identify relevant personalities and institutions, develop high-quality exchange formats and create resilient connections between scale-ups, investors:inside and the innovation ecosystem in NRW and Europe. The role connects Community Building, Investor Relations, Ecosystem Development and strategic stakeholder management in one of the most visible startup programs in Germany.

1. Strategic construction and further development of the Scale-up.NRW Community Establishment, maintenance and active development of a highly curated scale-up community from founders:inside, alumni, investor:inside, corporates and other ecosystem experts:inside Development of a long-term community strategy focusing on sustainable network effects and high added value for the participating scale-ups and other stakeholders Identification of relevant gaps in the network as well as targeted expansion of the community through appropriate personalities and institutions Active moderation and activation of the community along all program phases Building sustainable alumni structures and peer-to-peer mechanisms Two. Investor Relations & Matchmaking Expansion and maintenance of a relevant network of venture capital funds, business angels, family offices and corporate VCs Structured networking of investor:inside with scale-ups from the Scale-up.NRW program Preparation and Accompanying Investor Touchpoints, Matchmaking Formats and Fundraising Activities Development of high-quality exchange formats between scale-ups and investors:inside Support in building and activating international secondary networks
2. Ecosystem Building & Stakeholder Management Construction and moderation of an “Ecosystem Board” with leading innovation actors:inside from NRW Strategic cooperation with accelerators, universities, innovation hubs, corporates and public institutions Presentation of Scale-up.NRW at relevant events and national and international networks Structure of resilient relations with the said multipliers: Support of the project management in the further development of the NRW-Scale-up ecosystem
3. Community Formats & Platforms Conception and implementation of high-quality community and networking formats (Peer Groups, Roundtables, Community Nights, Investor Sessions etc.) Designing the event and matching logic together with the event and program team Development of digital and in-person exchange and communication formats Active sharing of communication and community content together with the marketing team Continuous analysis and optimization of community activity using relevant KPIs

Multiannual experience in startup, venture capital, innovation or entrepreneurship Very good understanding of the challenges of strong start-ups and scale-ups Experience in building and managing communities, networks or innovation ecosystems existing network in the German or European start-up and investment scene Experience in stakeholder management with investor:inside, founder:inside, corporates or public actors:inside High communicative strength and sovereign appearance towards high-ranking personalities Ability to strategically build and activate relationships in the long term Very high own initiative, proactivity and implementation strength Structured, data-oriented and solution-oriented mode of operation Joy in connecting people and organizations meaningfully Experience with event, community or platform formats of advantage Safe handling of CRM, community or data management tools desirable German knowledge of C2 level and very good English knowledge Ready to work in Düsseldorf/Köln readiness to travel within Germany and Europe

A key role in building the leading scale-up community in NRW Direct access to outstanding founders:innen, Investor:innen und Innovationsakteur:innen High design space in building new formats, networks and initiatives Visible role in one of the most relevant startup programs in Germany Dynamic, entrepreneurial environment with high self-responsibility Modern office in the heart of Düsseldorf, access to other locations in Munich, Berlin and International International networking via the global network of the Start2 Group Work at the interface of Venture Capital, Scale-ups, Corporates and Public Innovation System An ambitious team with real startup mentality and high implementation speed Individual development and growth opportunities in a growing environment About Scale-up.NRW Scale-up.NRW is the scaling program of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia for high-growth start-ups with international potential. Together with leading mentors:inside, investors:inside, the programme supports selected scale-ups in access to capital, markets, knowledge and networks. Our goal: to make North Rhine-Westphalia a leading scale-up region in Europe.

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