Managing Director, Starts

The Managing Director of Starts will lead efforts to support startups, engage corporate leaders, bring investment to the region, expand Medical Alley's reach worldwide and position Medical Alley as the definitive organization for health innovation. The Director leads the business and strategic direction of this high-performing program, advancing a dual mission of ecosystem growth and revenue generation. This leader will oversee a talented team responsible for cultivating startup pipelines, managing venture and corporate partnerships, and executing accelerators, showcase, and innovation programs. The Managing Director is both a builder and a closer, someone who can turn relationships into results, and ideas into sustainable revenue streams.

Worksite Location: Minneapolis, MN

Salary Range: $155 - 200K plus bonus up to 10%

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental, Life Insurance
• 401(k) retirement savings program
• Long & Short-term Disability
• Paid Time-Off 13 Paid Holidays
  
  

Roles & Responsibilities:

Business Development & Market Growth

• Drive revenue through strategic sponsorships, partnerships, and service agreements across corporate, venture, and startup sectors.
• Lead the full business development lifecycle, building and managing a scalable sales pipeline from strategy through close.
• Expand and monetize key innovation programs while partnering with the CEO and Board on new revenue models.
  
  

Program Strategy & Execution

• Lead the full Starts portfolio, including accelerators, showcases, investor matchmaking, and delegation engagements.
• Ensure operational excellence through clear SOWs, KPIs, and measurable outcomes.
• Oversee high-volume startup engagement, leveraging data insights to strengthen programming and partner value.
  
  

Team Leadership & Performance

• Lead, develop, and hold accountable a high-performing team of Principals and specialists.
• Foster a culture of mentorship, clarity, and continuous performance improvement aligned to organizational goals.
  
  

Relationship Management & External Engagement

• Build and maintain executive relationships with VCs, corporate leaders, government partners, and advisory council members.
• Serve as a visible ambassador at regional, national, and global innovation events to expand influence and opportunity.
• Strengthen strategic partnerships to position Medical Alley as a leading healthcare innovation hub.
  
  

Metrics, Data, & Insights

• Leverage CRM and analytics to drive data-informed decisions, measure ROI, and support growth.
• Ensure accurate data segmentation and reporting to enhance matchmaking, investor engagement, and sponsorship value.
• Translate program outcomes into actionable insights for partners, investors, and the Board.
  
  

Required Skills & Experience:

• 8 years of experience in business development, corporate partnerships, venture programs, or accelerator/ startup ecosystems.
• Demonstrated success managing teams and driving measurable revenue results.
• Deep understanding of the medtech sector strongly preferred, with experience in biotechnology and digital health also valuable.
• Exceptional relationship-building, negotiation, and communication skills.
• CRM (HubSpot), data analytics, and Excel proficiency required; experience developing KPI dashboards and monetizing data preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Healthcare Management, or related field; advanced degree a plus.
  
  

About Versique

Versique: /ver-seek/ adj. being both versatile and unique; n. a high-performance recruiting firm specializing in executive leadership search, direct hire, and interim hiring solutions.

Versique Executive, Professional, & Interim Recruiting is a locally owned and operated hiring and placement firm based in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. With specialized practice areas across our three divisions, Versique delivers tailored expertise to a wide range of industries. What sets us apart is our team of recruiter-seasoned professionals who have worked in the very fields they now hire for, providing unmatched industry insight and connections.

We believe people are more than just resumes, they are transformative, unlocking the potential for organizational growth and success.

Versique is proud to be award-winning, earning recognition on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies and the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal's Fast 50 list for 2023. We are also consistently recognized as a Star Tribune Top Workplace and were named a Best Place to Work in 2022 by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.

Let’s find your people, together.

Versique is an equal-opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse workforce. We consider all qualified applicants regardless of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status.