Director of Engagement

Position: Director of Engagement
Status: Full Time, Exempt
Location: Nashville, TN
Reports To: Chief Program Officer
Updated: October 2025
Application Deadline: November 28, 2025

The Nashville Entrepreneur Center (NEC) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 2010 to support people and businesses through every stage of their entrepreneurial journey. We exist to help make Nashville the best place to start and grow a business by increasing the likelihood of success for entrepreneurs.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Director of Engagement is a vital member of the program team, working closely with the team to support entrepreneurs across various service offerings at the NEC and beyond by leading the NEC’s alumni, advisor, and capital networks. This is a cross-functional, highly relational role that blends community building, systems design, and hands-on founder support to ensure depth of founder outcomes and the continuity of their NEC journey. This multifaceted position requires strong communication, organizational, and relationship-building skills.

Success measures for this role include:

• ≥80% graduate-to-Alumni Circle conversion rate
• 100% accelerator founders matched with advisors
• Maintain a network of at least 200 active advisors, with ≥50% activated annually through meetings, workshops, or events.
• Founder introductions to advisors/capital providers per year

Primary responsibilities include:

Advisor Network

• Manage the advisor network, including recruitment, training, and retention of qualified advisors across various disciplines, industries, and backgrounds
• Develop and maintain relationships with advisors, ensuring they are equipped to provide valuable guidance and support to entrepreneurs
• Manage the online advisor platform and promptly address technical issues to maximize use by advisors and entrepreneurs
• Design and implement advisor–founder matchmaking systems, ensuring 100% of accelerator founders are matched with relevant advisors.
• Collaborate with the program team to integrate advisors into accelerator curriculum, workshops, and events.
• Plan and execute initiatives and events to meaningfully engage advisors in the NEC community and retain high-quality advisors
• Address challenges within the advisor network promptly and diplomatically, ensuring a positive and inclusive environment for all advisors and entrepreneurs seeking support

Capital Network

• Serve as a liaison between the NEC and the community of capital providers
• Be the first point of contact between the NEC and prospective capital providers seeking to learn about the local investment and startup market
• Be the first point of contact between the NEC and entrepreneurs seeking capital
• Manage the relationship between the NEC and InvestTN
• Keep the pulse of the capital community to stay atop of changes based on macroeconomic conditions or other opportunities
• Enhance the NEC’s brand image to maintain a robust pipeline of potential investors interested in looking at deals in the Middle TN region
• Partner with the program and membership teams to facilitate content and consultations with program participants seeking capital
• Manage capital event budgets in alignment with attendance goals
• Engage with NEC entrepreneurs to understand their needs and develop paths/relationships to drive them toward success

Alumni Network

• Design and implement a paid alumni offering
• Develop and implement strategies to engage alumni in the NEC’s Alumni Circle, fostering a vibrant, connected community
• Plan and execute alumni events, including the annual Alumni Homecoming
• Maintain regular communication with alumni through newsletters, social platforms, and direct outreach
• Create opportunities for alumni to contribute back to the organization (mentorship, speaking, sponsorship, peer support)
• Track alumni outcomes and impact, maintaining accurate records and using data to modify offerings as needed
• Serve as the primary point of contact for alumni inquiries and relationship-building
• Perform other duties as assigned

ABOUT YOU

The ideal candidate for this position thrives in an agile and innovative environment with demonstrated experience working with a cross-functional team. Qualifications include:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree or above in a related field
• Demonstrated experience in fast-paced environments with a focus on startups, community engagement, business development, program management, and/or financial management
• Deep understanding of the capital landscape available to entrepreneurs, and familiarity with venture/equity, debt, government/non-dilutive grants, and alternative funding sources (e.g., crowdfunding, etc.)
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders
• Demonstrated excellence in building and sustaining high-value relationships across alumni, advisors, and capital providers
• Proven experience in volunteer management, community engagement, or program management
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Detail-oriented with the ability to balance big-picture insights and daily operations
• Highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and adapt to changing priorities
• Proficiency in using technology and software tools for communication, collaboration, and data management.
• Proficiency in Microsoft and Google Workspace applications
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Commitment to the mission of the NEC

ADDITIONAL JOB INFORMATION

This is a full-time exempt position based in Nashville, TN.

• Salary range is $68,000-$72,000, dependent on experience
• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical insurance (an employee-only coverage, high-deductible medical plan option available at no cost to employee), company-paid life insurance, an employee assistance program with dental, vision, and disability options, and a 401(k) matching option
• Paid time off, plus 15 annual holidays, including time off between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day
• Regular onsite presence is critical to ensure smooth operations and regular interaction with those we serve. A hybrid work schedule can be arranged with approval from the Chief Program Officer

ABOUT THE EC

Our Mission

Grounded by our values, we’re on a mission to help make Nashville the best place to start and grow a business by increasing the likelihood of success for entrepreneurs. We’re proud to be a steward of Nashville’s entrepreneurial legacy by lifting the entrepreneur’s voices and telling stories that celebrate how they make our world better and teach others as they give back – keeping the cycle of entrepreneurship alive.

Our Culture

We strive to be as innovative as the founders we support. Our team is highly collaborative and flexible. We take initiative to help each other and our community outside the bounds of department or expertise. Most importantly, we are driven to serve Nashville entrepreneurs, make entrepreneurship accessible to all, and continue our legacy of positive impact.

Our Values

• Better Together
• Growth Mindset
• Purposeful Risk-Taking
• Entrepreneur at the Center
• Own the Mission

At the Nashville Entrepreneur Center, we value a diverse workplace and strongly encourage all genders, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. The NEC is an equal-opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws. Those applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application or interview process should notify an organization representative at .

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $68,000.00 - $72,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Nashville, TN 37210

Salary : $68,000 - $72,000