Director, Initiative for Inclusive Entrepreneurship (IIE)

About The Position

Reporting to the Senior Director of Pathways to Capital, the Director of the Initiative for Inclusive Entrepreneurship (IIE) will be responsible for the following activities:

• Oversee and manage MI Finance’s IIE Program to support capital deployment to small businesses through a network of national small business service providers.
• Work closely with the Directors of our other Pathways to Capital Programs – our work on community infrastructure finance (10,000 Communities), HBCU Fellows, and our Emerging Asset Manager workstreams.
• Guide the strategic growth of IIE and ensure effective integration across these important Pathways to Capital programs.
• Maintain and grow MI Finance partnerships with key external organizations to advance core objectives.
• Working with our business and programming development team, develop and expand stakeholder and funder networks and financial support for program objectives.
• Produce and/or manage the development of written outputs including reports, white papers, articles, op-ed, presentations, and other thought leadership materials.
• Provide thought leadership, including by representing MI Finance at conferences, meetings, and workshops as a speaker and panelist at MI events and external events.
• Build relationships and collaborate with other MI pillars to advance MI Finance objectives.
• Engage in domestic and international travel as required.
• Duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Outcome-focused and strategic: The chosen leader will be passionate about applied research, clear outcomes, internal team building, and the value of strategic partnerships and innovation.
• Collaborative leaders: The winning candidate will have a proven track record for developing emerging talent and driving innovation in the policy and finance arena.
• Analytical, creative and rigorous thinkers: We are seeking a detail-oriented and flexible problem solver who can synthesize diverse streams of information and switch comfortably between academic and real-world thinking.
• Roll-up-your-sleeves executers and adaptive thinkers: MI leaders are comfortable with engaging in ambitious projects and are open to collaborative refinement and adaptation along the way to reach key metrics.
• Team players: MI leaders collaborate well with multidisciplinary teams across the Institute, comfortably taking leadership when necessary as well as following directions.

Requirements

• Advanced degree preferred (MBA, JD or MA in economics, law, business, public policy, international development, or a related concentration).
• At least 10 years of relevant experience in entrepreneurship, public policy, finance, economics, business, law, or impact investing or economics.
• Knowledge of the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), community finance, and community development financial institutions (CDFIs).
• Knowledge of small business financing strategies, municipal finance, public sector budgeting, housing finance, and/or climate infrastructure finance and policy a plus.
• Excellent writing, editing, research, analytical, and project management skills.
• Demonstrated overall communication skills, facilitation abilities, excellent interpersonal skills, and ability to lead a network of partners toward a common goal.
• Attention to detail and high standards of excellence.
• Excellent organizational and mentorship skills.
• Public speaking and event moderation skills a plus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Experience working in multicultural environments.

Working Conditions & Travel Requirements

This position will work in a professional office environment on a hybrid schedule consisting of three (3) days per week reporting in-person to the Washington, DC office location (Tuesday – Thursday), with the remaining two (2) days working remotely. Please understand, this schedule is subject to change at the Institute’s sole discretion.

This person will also be required to travel occasionally to other offices and/or venues to assist with events as needed, requiring occasional work outside of traditional hours. International along with domestic travel is possible. Additionally, this position requires interacting virtually on a regular basis with Milken Institute staff based in other locations in the United States and around the world.

Note

The statements herein are intended to describe the overall nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.

We are interested in qualified candidates who are eligible to work in the United States. Please note, we are not sponsoring visas at this time, being authorized to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment.

Please submit resume and cover letter illustrating how your experience and skills will contribute to the department and any unique qualities you bring to the position. If applying via Indeed, please upload your resume and any supporting documentation as one attachment. Any application that does not include both a resume and cover letter will be rejected. If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact our Human Resources department to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan – 403b (5% match)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Personal, Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Family Leave (Maternity & Paternity)
• Fertility Support
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Account (FSAs)
• Pet Insurance Discount
• Training & Development:
• LinkedIn Learning – over 15,000 self-guided classes offered
• Annual Mentor Program
• Wellness Resources:
• Employee Assistance Program
• CALM app membership