Senior Program Manager, Ventures

The Gulf of Maine Research Institute is seeking a Senior Program Manager, Ventures to lead initiatives that promote the blue economy by managing entrepreneurial programs and partnerships. This strategic role involves collaborating with startups, investors, and stakeholders, requiring strong analytical skills and independence. The position offers institutional salary support for 18 months and focuses on program design, recruitment, due diligence, mentorship, and reporting.
Description

Job Title: Senior Program Manager, Ventures

Supervisor: Rhiannon Hampson, Vice President of Economic Development

Pay Grade: 9

Salary Range: $78,589 - $99,600

Overview

The Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) develops and delivers collaborative solutions to global ocean challenges. We are dedicated to the resilience of the Gulf of Maine ecosystem and the communities that depend on it. To learn more, visit gmri.org.

Position Description

The Senior Program Manager, Ventures, will lead GMRI’s work to catalyze the growth of the blue economy by managing and growing our entrepreneurial programming and investment initiatives. This role will guide a dynamic team at the intersection of innovation, impact, and the blue economy—collaborating with startups, investors, researchers, industry experts, and partners to accelerate sustainable marine solutions in Maine and beyond.

This position requires a high degree of independence, analytical thinking, and judiciousness. They must drive cross-functional projects, fundraise to support team priorities, prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment, and communicate effectively across each entity, ranging from senior management/Board members to field staff. They will interact with peer networks, government officials, thought leaders, and key stakeholders. The Senior Program Manager, Ventures, role is a senior-level, strategic role responsible for sustaining the team and growing its impact in support of GMRI’s mission.

This position enjoys ~18 months of fully encumbered institutional salary support thanks to a mix of philanthropic gifts and federal grants, enabling runway support as the incumbent gets established. Thereafter, as is standard practice for Program Managers at GMRI, the incumbent will have primary responsibility for working collaboratively to sustain the position and program through competitively awarded grants and other fundraising efforts.

Responsibilities/Tasks

The Senior Program Manager will be responsible for various aspects of the Ventures team’s programmatic work, including:

Company Support Program Structure Design:
• Refine the curriculum for incubator/accelerator programs tailored to the needs of blue economy startups.
• Define program milestones, workshops, and mentorship sessions to guide companies through stages of growth and scaling.

Recruitment and Partnership Development:
• Actively recruit a pipeline of startups, mentors, advisors, and strategic partners aligned with the blue economy sector.
• Establish and nurture existing relationships with corporate partners and potential investors to support startups in pilot programs and strategic partnerships.

Due Diligence and Evaluation:
• Conduct thorough due diligence on incoming startups to assess their potential for success in the blue economy.
• Evaluate market viability, scalability, and impact of businesses within the blue economy sector.

Company Support and Mentorship:
• Provide or coordinate operational and technical assistance to startups, including market research, business planning, and customer acquisition strategies.
• Facilitate mentorship opportunities with industry experts to guide startups in navigating challenges and leveraging opportunities.

Company Support Program Management and Reporting:
• Manage the day-to-day operations of incubator/accelerator programs, ensuring program objectives and milestones are met.
• Develop key metrics and outcomes that demonstrate the impact of the program on participating startups and the broader blue economy sector.

Community Engagement Events and Workshops:
• Oversee the strategy, planning, and delivery of workshops, events, and educational programs focused on blue economy innovation, investor education, and sector-specific trends.
• Engage with local economic development agencies and stakeholders to promote the blue economy and foster an innovation ecosystem in the region.

Strategic Planning and Collaboration:
• Collaborate with strategic partners, government agencies, and local stakeholders to develop and promote a blue economy innovation corridor.
• Identify opportunities for collaboration and resource sharing to support the growth and sustainability of blue economy startups.

Funding Strategy and Execution:
• Develop strategy to fund program activities through a mix of federal funding opportunities and foundation and corporate philanthropy.
• Write grant applications and support organizational efforts to secure funding for continued programming for entrepreneurs and other relevant activities.

Ventures Program Management:
• Manage the Ventures program operations, including strategy development, grant writing, budget management, partnerships, oversight of existing programs, and design and delivery of new programs and initiatives.
• Manage small team to ensure program deliverables in support of Economic Development department goals and GMRI’s strategic initiatives.

Requirements
• BA/BS in business, finance, or related field; MBA or comparable degree preferred.
• Personal experience at an early-stage company and/or running early-stage accelerator programs.
• Interest in blue economy entrepreneurship.
• Strong foundation in business development, paired with an understanding of how startups approach financing and growth.
• Proven success with programmatic fundraising, ideally including federal and/or state grant-writing.
• Strong interpersonal, public speaking, writing, and public relations skills.
• Strong analytical skills combined with a creative mindset.
• Ability to network and collaborate effectively with a range of stakeholders and partners.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to multitask and adapt to shifting priorities.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively to complete tasks.
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines while delivering high-quality work.
• Experience in program and team management.
• At least 10 years of experience in business or a related area.

Other Preferred Qualifications:
• Knowledge of blue economy businesses in the Gulf of Maine region.
• Familiarity with science/engineering, technical products, and related business opportunities.
• Experience in business coaching/mentoring.
• Understanding of venture capital investment structures.
• Experience in project management, program development, and evaluation.
• Proficiency with G-Suite, Microsoft Office, Airtable, and other analytic tools.
• Professional network of entrepreneurs and startup investors.
• Knowledge of business support services.

Diversity and Inclusion:

The Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) has a long-standing policy and commitment to providing equal access and equal employment opportunities in all terms, conditions, processes, and benefits of employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, family status, veteran status, or any other classification protected by law. GMRI's employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, family status, veteran status, or any other classification protected by law.

Applicants and employees are encouraged to voluntarily provide certain status data to assist GMRI in fulfilling various reporting requirements of the federal government. This self-identification is completely voluntary, will be kept confidential and separate from your application data, and used only to meet certain state or federal reporting requirements. Providing or declining to provide this information will not result in adverse action of any kind.

Salary and Benefits:

Gulf of Maine Research Institute offers a competitive salary and benefits package.

Application Instructions:

All applications must be accompanied by a cover letter and résumé. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the successful candidate has been selected. The deadline to submit applications is June 6th, 2025.