Director of Programs

CAMELBACK VENTURES

Camelback Ventures (Camelback) transforms the landscape of entrepreneurship by investing in ventures and leaders who have been systematically excluded from capital and opportunity. We focus on entrepreneurs of color and women, providing not just funding, but mentorship, advocacy, and access to networks that drive meaningful change. Since 2015, our impact speaks volumes: we've raised over $50M and supported 200+ social entrepreneurs through our flagship Camelback Fellowship. Our Fellows have collectively raised over $365M, earned recognition as Forbes 30 Under 30 honorees, and created a transformative impact in communities nationwide, from Eastern North Carolina to Seattle.

THE ROLE

Reporting the Chief Programs Officer (CPO), Camelback Ventures is hiring a Director of Programs to guide the strategic direction and implementation of Camelback programs, including the Fellowship and programming to support early and growth-stage founders. With the support of a manager position, the director will manage the arc of engagement and support for founders from outreach and selection through alumni status and cultivate deeper relationships with ecosystem partners who also support early and growth-stage founders. The Director will collaborate with the Program Partners to develop and calibrate comprehensive resources, experiences, and support throughout for founders in the Camelback ecosystem as they navigate the arc of entrepreneurship from pre-fellowship into alumnihood and beyond.

The Director of Programs will lead, manage, partner on, and facilitate the following bodies of work:

Leadership & Collaboration

• Partner with the CPO to develop and implement the strategic vision of Camelback programs, including the Camelback Fellowship

• Collaborate with Data & Strategy and Program Partners to analyze data from programs and founder engagement and make recommendations for resources, events, and programs to support founders

• Develop and manage the implementation of the strategy for the Fellowship and other programming to engage founders, including virtual workshops, pilot programs to support founders before and after the Fellowship, in-person events, and alumni engagement

• Build and launch the mentorship programming, asynchronous community building for Camelback founders, convenings, and events for funders, founders, and other aligned stakeholders

• Partner with the Impact and Strategy team to develop earned revenue opportunities that strengthen support for fellows.

• Engage in thought leadership activities, including conference presentations, panels, and writing to amplify the Camelback Ventures brand and impact

• Serve as a subject-matter expert on entrepreneurship and investment strategy for early-stage founders; facilitate deeper learning about early-stage founder investment approaches and trends for the Programs team and Camelback leadership

• Oversee the maintenance of the Entrepreneurial Support Hub and the Stoop

Selection

• Lead the implementation and iteration of the Fellowship selection process, including developing and facilitating pre-Fellowship offerings and use of selection tools and processes through recurring post-cycle analysis of diverse stakeholder feedback (i.e. internal staff, funder partners, social innovation experts, board members, Fellow alums)

• Manage the continuous improvement and streamlining of each phase of the selection process to improve the applicant experience and internal review efficiency and effectiveness

Stakeholder Engagement

• Cultivate partnerships and with the investor community to assist our fellows with building the networks and relationships they need to secure follow-on funding for their ventures.

• Manage relationships within investor and venture capital ecosystem to inform Camelback’s investment strategy, selection processes for programs, and founder engagement; collaborate with the Development team to ensure regular awareness of funder engagement with Camelback founders

• Collaborate with external stakeholders, peer organizations, and funders to develop learning partnerships to inform the Fellowship and Program experiences

• Facilitate conversations and build relationships with Camelback Fellows, Alumni, current and potential funders and program participants, and engage external stakeholders to provide deeper support for the Camelback Alumni via in-person and virtual engagement, as well as

• Facilitate site visits and regional convenings between Camelback founders and aligned, area stakeholders

Team Culture & Development

• Foster a team culture characterized by enthusiasm, excellence, innovation, and deep commitment to racial equity

• Create an environment where team members feel empowered to take risks, learn from failure, and push boundaries in service of Fellows and Alumni

• Model transparent communication, collaborative problem-solving, and the growth mindset that defines Camelback culture

• Build systems and practices that support team efficacy and efficiency, particularly around the complex programming timeline and calendar

  
  

THE PERSON

We would be over the moon to work with someone who will compliment our culture rooted in a belief in our

mission; a desire for constant learning; being unafraid of failure; and is humble in their work, but hungry to earn their keep.

• You’re a Strategic Architect, designing, executing, and evolving complex programs that empower early-stage founders and drive organizational impact.

• You’re a Data-Driven Innovator, leveraging analytics and insights to iterate on resources, events, and support structures, ensuring every decision is informed and impactful.

• You Optimize with Precision, streamlining selection processes, integrating stakeholder feedback, and enhancing applicant experiences for efficiency and equity.

• You Build with Community, cultivating mentorship networks, fostering asynchronous engagement, and nurturing vibrant digital spaces where founders and alumni thrive.

• You’re Investment Savvy, translating trends and strategies into actionable learning for your team and founders, advancing entrepreneurial success.

• You Influence with Thought Leadership, representing Camelback Ventures at conferences, panels, and in writing, amplifying the organization’s mission and vision.

• You Collaborate Across Boundaries, partnering with senior leaders, funders, and ecosystem allies to drive cross-functional success and strategic alignment.

• You Build Relationships with Purpose, connecting authentically with staff, fellows, and external partners to foster trust, collaboration, and shared growth.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required.  Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary.  In addition, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Camelback Ventures provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

THE TANGIBLE GOODS

• HQ: New Orleans

• Position Location: Flexible within the continental U.S.

• Salary range: $130,000 - $150,000 (based upon experience and skill)

• Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 403b, geographic adjustments to base salary based on location

• Perks: Tech and Professional Development Stipend, Unlimited Paid Time Off

• Start date: February or March 2026

• Priority Application Deadline: December 5, 2025 at 11:59 pm CT

• Position FAQ: Before applying, review the Position FAQs