Programming Manager, Pre-Accelerator

Description

Build in Tulsa Background:

The mission of Build in Tulsa is to close the wealth gap in America by catalyzing multi-generational wealth within overlooked communities through tech and entrepreneurship. Build in Tulsa is dedicated to providing underestimated entrepreneurs with the human, social, and financial capital needed for success in commercializing new products and services in the marketplace.

Build in Tulsa offers a suite of services, including training and workshops to prepare founders for accelerators, mentoring and networking events to foster connections with peers and strategic partners, and facilitating access to potential sources of capital. Build in Tulsa is also addressing barriers that many underrepresented entrepreneurs face by providing free coworking space, cost-of-living assistance, and funding for technology and other business-related awards.

Build in Tulsa Team Values:

• Innovation: Taking a forward-thinking approach to how Build in Tulsa operates to uniquely support our community.
• Resilience: Adapting quickly and evolving continuously to ensure that Build in Tulsa will endure and thrive beyond whatever we may encounter in an unknown tomorrow.
• Collaboration: Being a partner to our diverse entrepreneur and business community, whether that means mentor, supporter, side-by-side problem solver, idea bouncer, connection maker, or whatever else it takes to help them succeed.
• Respect: Honoring the history that Build in Tulsa is rooted in, and honoring the intelligence, hard work, and dedication that each Build in Tulsa community member puts into building their business.

Position Summary: We are seeking a highly skilled and forward-thinking Program Manager to lead the design, facilitation, and management of Build In Tulsa’s pre-accelerator programs. This individual will be responsible for crafting a comprehensive entrepreneurship curriculum with clear learning outcomes and practical toolkits that equip founders with essential skills in business model development, customer validation, go-to-market strategy, product road mapping, fundraising, and intellectual property. Leveraging startup methodology, lean startup principles, and proven best practices in founder education, the Program Manager will keep all content relevant and impactful.

As the lead facilitator and coach, the Program Manager will deliver an engaging, results-driven experience that fosters collaboration, connects participants to valuable networks, and drives measurable growth. Through strategic oversight, relationship-building, and impactful programming, this role will position Build In Tulsa’s entrepreneurs for long-term success.

This is a full-time, salaried role that requires full-time in-person attendance. The standard schedule is Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM CT, with occasional evening and weekend work as needed.

Key Responsibilities:

Program Design & Curriculum Development :

• Develop and refine entrepreneurship curriculum for pre-accelerator and accelerator programs, aligned with Build In Tulsa’s founder readiness and scale pathways.
• Define learning outcomes and assessment tools to measure progress in areas such as business model development, customer archetype validation, go-to-market strategy, product roadmapping and MVP creation, financial modeling, fundraising strategies, and intellectual property.
• Build reusable learning materials, templates, and toolkits for multiple cohorts.
•  Integrate best practices from startup methodology, lean startup principles, and founder education to keep content innovative and impactful.

Program Execution & Facilitation :

• Serve as the lead trainer and facilitator for workshops, group coaching sessions, and one-on-one coaching. 
• Deliver engaging content on entrepreneurship, technology integration, and scaling strategies.
• Host pitch preparation sessions, guiding founders on storytelling, deck creation, and presentation skills.
• Oversee multiple concurrent programs and events, including Product Pitch Night, Female Founders Pitch Night, Build Up Startup School, and Innovation Bootcamps.

Founder & Ecosystem Engagement:

• Provide personalized coaching to ensure founders meet key program KPIs, such as securing pilots, launching MVPs, or attracting investment.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with mentors, investors, subject matter experts, and strategic partners (e.g., OCAST, Tulsa Innovation Labs, universities).
• Lead targeted founder recruitment strategies to increase participation from high-priority archetypes, including deep tech, mission-driven innovation, and high-growth CPG.

Innovation & Continuous Improvement:

• Stay ahead of trends in entrepreneurship and emerging technology to keep programs cutting-edge.
• Pilot new training approaches (e.g., AI integration, rapid prototyping).
•  Gather participant feedback and iterate on program design to improve impact.

Administrative Support :

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date program documentation, ensuring all records are organized and in full compliance with organizational policies and procedures.
• Oversee and manage all program-related communications, including timely responses to emails and phone calls, and ensure clear and consistent updates to all relevant stakeholders.

Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED
• 5+ years of experience in entrepreneurship, startup leadership, accelerator/incubator management, or tech founder coaching.
• Proven track record in developing and delivering entrepreneurship curriculum to adult learners.
• Background in building or scaling a technology company or advising founders through various growth stages.
• Demonstrated ability to define learning outcomes, measure program effectiveness, and track participant success.
• Proficiency in product development, go-to-market strategy, and fundraising fundamentals.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, entrepreneurship, or a related field.
• Experience supporting diverse founder communities and historically excluded entrepreneurs.
• Familiarity with accelerator, pre-accelerator, and ecosystem-building program models.
• Established network within the startup, tech, and investment communities.
• Comfort with digital facilitation tools, AI tools, and CRM platforms.

Hours & Location:

• You must live in or be able to relocate to Tulsa, OK or the surrounding area.
• A typical week for this position is Monday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. and may require occasional evening or weekend hours to accommodate events, in-person meetings, and other activities.

About our Benefits

As part of our overall compensation package, we offer work/life flexibility, comprehensive health benefits, paid time off, and generous retirement contributions designed to support you and your family.

Details:

• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and long-term disability for full-time employees only. Option to add vision and dependents.
• 401K employee and employer contributions
• Paid time off to support you while you are out of the office.
• Paid holidays so our employees can spend time with those they care about.
• Employer-paid AD&D life insurance, with employee option to add supplemental life insurance.