Your people and project skills will impact social enterprises and the very people they support and challenges they address

Picture this: it’s three years from now. You welcome guests to a reunion of the first accelerator programme that you managed for Hatch. Of the 15 talented social entrepreneurs who took part, all of them are still in business (without our support, it would be more like 10) and they’ve gone on to not only raise social investment but be more resilient organisation thanks to the programme. They have a broader customer base and are more sustainable thanks to the access to procurement and supply chains of larger businesses. As they share their success stories, it becomes clear that the business skills, self-knowledge and networks they gained on the Hatch programme have been vital to all of them.

You know that, thanks to the collaborative team you’re part of, our Accelerator is even more effective now than it was three years ago. Running the programme isn’t always easy - it can feel like a bit of a scramble sometimes, there’s so much to do - but it’s moments like this, seeing the impact of your work, that make it all worthwhile.

If this is the kind of job satisfaction you want to have, then you should join Hatch Enterprise as a Programme Manager.

We are an innovative charity supporting entrepreneurs to set up businesses and fulfil their individual potential. 2019 will see the first iteration of our Social Enterprise Peer Accelerator programme and we want you to design, manage and deliver it.

In a typical week, you might:

• Find creative ways to identify and contact potential programme participants and encourage them to apply
• Review applications and hold interviews with entrepreneurs to find the right fit between them and us
• Generate new ideas for the Accelerator curriculum to ensure it provides first-class business support as we learn more about what our target group needs
• Research new coaches, facilitators and experts to lead workshop sessions
• Maintain relationship with our existing pool of loyal supporters and speakers
• Organise programme-related events for publicity and recruitment of entrepreneurs
• Provide caring one-to-one support for entrepreneurs on their learning journey
• Nurture the Accelerator cohort so that it comes together as a lasting peer community
• Facilitate a workshop or host a networking event as part of the programme
• Manage the programme budget and provide detailed reports for our funders
• Take part in your team’s agile project management practices
• Update the Accelerator manual to create transparency about the lessons we’re learning

About the Social Enterprise Peer Accelerator

This 12-month programme will pilot a new approach to social investment readiness for social ventures with a goal of raising at least £100,000. It will combine Hatchs well-established approach of providing support through cohort-based programmes of workshops and mentoring, along with peer-led education from social entrepreneurs to social entrepreneurs. There will a crowdfunding element for market validation. We will be be working with a number of key partners, including housing associations, social investors and many growing and scaling social ventures.

• You have a passion for entrepreneurship, and understand the challenges of starting and growing a business - particularly for social entrepreneurs. It’s an advantage if you already have your own network in this space.
• You are proactive and highly organised organised and are comfortable managing people’s expectations and juggling multiple priorities. You may have a track record in project management or programme delivery already, but you don’t have to.
• Your talent for empathy and building effective relationships helps you in sales/recruitment, project delivery, and in creating an inclusive programme.
• You’re an excellent communicator. Perhaps you have experience of facilitation, coaching or consulting?
• Learning is second nature to you. You engage in self-reflection and want to develop yourself by meeting new challenges and taking on feedback.

• Ideally you have the flexibility to work some evenings and weekends in order to host or attend networking events and workshops.
• You’re able to manage a budget effectively and are able to deal with people inside and outside the organisation to ensure we stay on top of our spending.

About Hatch Enterprise

Hatch Enterprise works with entrepreneurs from underrepresented communities to grow smart ideas into successful businesses. We are one of the leading community enterprise charities in the UK and we have grown 25% year on year through increased support from our partners, supporters and funders. In our first five years over 500 people have taken part in our programmes. Our ambition is to be a catalyst for 1000 businesses by 2020.

Last year, cooperating with Peabody, we launched 55 East, a cafe, coworking and event space in Elephant and Castle. It’s a place for entrepreneurs to test their business ideas, and it’s also our beautiful new home.

We’re not typical of the third sector. As you would expect from a charity focused on teaching start-up skills, we think and act like a business. We are constantly looking for ways to improve and innovate, and our programmes are run by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs.

We care about nurturing our people and giving them the things they need to succeed. You’ll get a desktop Mac in our funky, cheerful, plant-filled office, with free tea and coffee. And, although we can’t afford to pay you like the private sector, we can offer you a generous holiday allowance (29 days plus bank holidays) and a training budget of £1,000 a year.

This job is offered as a 12 month contract initially, and the salary will be in the region of £25,000 - £28,000 depending on experience.

Equal Opportunities

We believe business can be a force for good. Our mission is to increase diversity among business owners - and we want to do the same for our team. We are committed to representing a wider cross-section of society than a typical start-up, and we know that means we have to make an effort to understand and accommodate different people’s needs.

If you’ve read this far, and you like the sound of the job, but you’re worried you don’t quite fit the requirements - we’d love it if you went ahead and applied.

If you have any questions, or need any help with your application, please drop us a line via jobs@hatchenterprise.com. We’re also open to receiving your CV if you’re excited by Hatch but not interested in this role. (Recruiters will be politely turned away).

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