Program & Events Manager - August 2023

Program & Events Manager 

Relish Works is seeking a full time Program & Events Manager to support our Food Foundry accelerator program and startup ecosystem engagement activities. 

Relish Works is a foodservice  innovation hub focused on challenging the status quo and exploring the future of the food industry. While backed with the support of an established and profitable food service organization, Relish Works operates as an independent organization focused on user-centered solutions. Our efforts explore improvements to the established company's core business as well as solving for unmet customer needs.

Food Foundry is an accelerator program built by Relish Works and Gordon Food Service for startups in the food, restaurant technology and foodservice space now heading into its 6th year. 

Position Summary: 

Relish Works and Food Foundry are highly collaborative team environments, and we’re excited to welcome a Program & Events Manager onto the Partnerships & Investments team. 

The Program & Events manager will be responsible for managing all aspects of our annual Food Foundry accelerator program + various other startup engagement initiatives and community events throughout the year, while working with and reporting into the Director of Programming & Partnerships. 

The ideal person for this role is a great communicator, knows how to put the brand experience at the forefront, and is self-motivated with program and events management experience. Someone who has a keen interest in the startup and entrepreneurial space would be an excellent fit. 

Roles & Responsibilities:

Please note, this is a program management role first and foremost, and an events role second. 

• Working with the Director of Programming & Partnerships to help develop and coordinate valuable Food Foundry programming, events, working with internal and external speakers and session leaders 
• Help manage relationships with multiple diverse stakeholders, both internal and external 
• Manage and coordinate program schedules, special programming events and offsite trips with the cohort  
• Work with the Food Foundry team to help manage recruiting startups to the program including email outreach, follow ups, feilding introductory/Q&A calls & emails, and coordinating interviews 
• Manage our social media presence  
• Actively communicate programming to founders, facilitate and help manage EIR’s (Entrepreneurs-in-Residence), mentors, etc. 
• Manage our final event of programming - Demo Day 
• (Very helpful, but not required) a creative eye with basic design skills (Canva) is extremely helpful for asset creation (Image Design & Copy) and social media posts 

Requirements: 

• 2-4+ years of experience in program management
• Experience working in the VC, entrepreneur, accelerator and startup ecosystem is desirable 
• Experience developing engaging programs and content (preferably for an entrepreneurial or startup audience)
• Experience managing a diverse range of stakeholders 
• Curiosity in entrepreneurship, and a thoughtfulness and understanding of the needs of early-stage startup 
• A true team player who enjoys working in a collaborative environment 

Skills:

• Program and content development skills 
• Great communication skills 
• Event coordination and management skills 
• Stakeholder management skills 
• Eagerness to learn new skills and flexibility and willingness to take on new roles and responsibilities outside of specified role

Location:

• This role is based out of Chicago - our offices are located in River North. Given the nature of our work in stakeholder engagement, you must be in Chicago, or planning to relocate to Chicago to be considered for this position.