Director of Programs
Fast Forward
ABOUT FAST FORWARD
Tech is ubiquitous. Tech solutions for social problems are not. An emerging class of startups is building tech to solve these social problems. They are tech nonprofits. Fast Forward bridges the tech and nonprofit sectors to build capacity for tech nonprofits, so they can scale solutions to our world’s most urgent problems.
Fast Forward’s focus areas are its Startup Accelerator, Growth Accelerator, and partner programs that engage the broader tech ecosystem. To date, Fast Forward’s portfolio of tech nonprofits have impacted 139M lives and raised $519M in follow-on funding. 86% of the portfolio have a founder who has personal experience with the problem, 66% have a founder who is a woman, and 79% have a founder who is a person of color.
As the first and only organization focused exclusively on scaling startups that combine the best tech with sustainable nonprofit business models, Fast Forward’s mission is to accelerate impact. Visit us: http://www.ffwd.org.
THE POSITION
Fast Forward is hiring an experienced Director of Programs to work closely with the VP of Programs to drive success of our best-in-class programs for tech nonprofits and Fast Forward’s corporate partners.
The Director of Programs is a high-impact role that will strategize and deliver Fast Forward’s programmatic support for tech nonprofits. In this role, you will design and execute programming for the tech nonprofits in Fast Forward’s alumni portfolio and Fast Forward partners. The ideal candidate is entrepreneurial, driven, and is ecstatic to create meaningful programs, especially those that focus on AI-powered nonprofits. Due to the collaborative nature of Fast Forward’s work within an ecosystem, this role is for a natural relationship builder who loves partnering with companies and experts to create programs from scratch. This role is for someone looking for the opportunity to work in an inspiring and dynamic environment where their attention to detail and communication skills will truly shine.
This position is based in San Francisco, CA; it is a full-time, in-office role (no remote work).
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Help develop the vision and roadmap of impactful programming for nonprofits, especially with a focus on AI
- Work with Fast Forward’s ecosystem partners to create impactful, unique event experiences (virtual and IRL) for the AI for Humanity ecosystem
- Launch and manage end-to-end of programming including the design, program logistics, calendar management, invite list, budget, team coordination, CRM maintenance, and post-event analysis. Some examples:
- Corporate Pro Bono Opportunities: Fast Forward organizes a range of virtual volunteering opportunities for corporate partners wanting to support tech nonprofits. This virtual support happens in the form of mentorship, strategic design support, storytelling practice, coaching, and more. Each program requires months-long coordination with dozens of tech nonprofits and corporate volunteers from around the globe.
- Consultant Support for Tech Nonprofits: Volunteers from Fast Forward’s partner companies are paired with tech nonprofits from Fast Forward’s portfolio for 4-12 week consulting projects on strategic issues. Requires coordination with several tech nonprofits and volunteer groups, project scoping, scheduling support, and more.
- Partner with Fast Forward’s network of tech companies, mentors, and funding partners to deliver unique programming aimed at supporting and scaling tech nonprofits
- Keep pulse on the conversation around AI for Humanity and AI-powered nonprofits
WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR
We're looking for someone with these specific traits and experience:
- 5+ years in an event planning or programming role and passionate about tech for good, corporate social responsibility, and the nonprofit sector
- A strong interest and excitement for developing AI programming
- Entrepreneurial, able to gather customer insights, generate program ideas, gather resources, and execute on a vision
- Strong project management skills, including: a bias towards action, keen analytical and problem-solving skills, and the ability to manage complex projects and multi-task
- Collaborative, loving working with a team to pull off big ideas
- Exceptional organizational and time-management skills
- Thrives in a fast-paced, ever-changing startup environment
- Or any combination of education, experience, and measurable performance that demonstrates the capability to perform the duties of the position
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
- Unlimited paid time off (PTO)
- 401k retirement plan & employer matching
- Office is located in a beautiful national park - The Presidio - with free transit to/from downtown San Francisco!
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Most importantly, input on the office snack order
Note: In accordance with federal, state, and local safety guidelines, this role is expected to be performed in-person, in San Francisco.
Fast Forward is a social justice organization founded on the idea that those with proximity to the problem should have proximity to the power to fix them. Our true north is empowering tech nonprofit leaders with the tools, community, and capital they need to scale solutions for underserved groups, and we know that a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion is inextricable from that pursuit. Read our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Guidelines to learn how we approach DEI across our investments, community, and workplace.
Fast Forward is an equal opportunity employer.