Now Hiring: Senior Manager, Entrepreneurship

OneROC is seeking an experienced, dynamic professional to help implement the next phase of a bold strategy to strengthen Western New York’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Below is more information about OneROC, the regional vision for entrepreneurial growth, and the key responsibilities of this important role. About OneROC

OneROC is the regional economic alliance serving Greater

Rochester. Established in 2019 (as “ROC2025”), it leads a coordinated capacity-building framework to deepen regional economic competitiveness in four key areas: 1) Business attraction and growth; 2) talent attraction and retention; 3) downtown activation and revitalization; and 4) regional branding and marketing. Since its start, OneROC has secured $30M+ in net new private, public, and philanthropic resources to advance its capacity-building plan, the investment of which has coincided with regional peer rank improvements in key metrics including job growth, labor force, regional GDP, and unemployment.

OneROC implements its capacity-building plan through two key roles: Making

significant, coordinated capacity-building investments directly in alliance partner

organizations, and serving as a regional convener / coordinator on key strategic

economic initiatives — most notably the Regional Tech Hub investment recently

awarded by the U.S. Department of Commerce and Economic Development

Administration, and the $80M Regional Revitalization Partnership co-investment for

placemaking, workforce, and commercial corridor revitalization initiatives in the City of Rochester. A new strategic initiative focused on entrepreneurship, in partnership with the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation (RCWJRF), is the focus of this job announcement.

About WNY’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Vision

Over the last several years, the Western New York (WNY) entrepreneurial ecosystem has participated in a community-led design process facilitated and managed by Victor & Co. and made possible with the support of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. This work has produced a regional vision for the growth of entrepreneurship. To read the full report, click here.

The WNY region has seen meaningful entrepreneurial success in recent years. Work

over the last decade to foster a more robust entrepreneurial ecosystem is yielding new startups that are bringing jobs and wealth to the community — and increasing

confidence in the ecosystem’s ability to produce thriving companies. The region still needs more diverse and successful startups, however, to reach critical mass and drive inclusive entrepreneurial activity and opportunities in the region sustainably into the future.

Informed by successful national models from communities like Detroit (e.g., NEI,

Renaissance Fund) and Cleveland (e.g., JumpStart), the vision consists of three

interconnected phases.

• First, RCWJRF launched and funded Springboard, a series of “rapid prize awards” to startup support organizations in 2024, with the goal of growing awareness and building excitement for the new plan. A second year of Springboard is already underway in 2025.

• Second, RCWJRF is funding the “ecosystem accelerator” at OneROC starting in mid-2025 as a three-year grant and “pilot” phase. This role will assist in building baseline KPIs and metrics; work with RCWJRF’s designated external consultants to inform next-phase capacity-building investments; manage a marketing agency contract to increase the startup community’s visibility; and provide general networking/coordination support across the region’s key startup assets.

• Third, RCWJRF plans to help address the region’s early-stage capital gap through a seed investment in a “fund of funds” that is modeled on the successful Detroit Renaissance Venture Fund. This final phase would launch in 2026 at the earliest, and would be separately managed by a professional management team.
  

OneROC’s Role in Implementing the WNY Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Vision

OneROC is serving as the local intermediary for advancing the second phase – the

“ecosystem accelerator” (EA) – in conjunction with RCWJRF’s designated external

consultant. In this capacity, OneROC will contribute to development of baseline KPIs and a metrics dashboard; manage an agency contract for a regional marketing effort focused on startups; assist in the networking of existing entrepreneurial support organizations (ESOs) across the region; organize occasional startup-focused events in partnership with ESOs; serve as a thought partner in identifying needed capacity building investments; and develop grant applications to startup-focused national foundations.

Position Overview and Key Responsibilities

Reporting to OneROC’s Director of Programs and Partnerships, and working in close

collaboration with RCWJRF’s designated external consultant, this position will provide critical management of all of OneROC’s overall responsibilities in implementing the WNY entrepreneurial strategic vision. Additionally, the position will manage key administrative functions. Primary responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:

• Serve as day-to-day manager and point of contact for the WNY ecosystem

• accelerator work throughout the region, as outlined in the Strategic Vision report (link).

• Serve as a strategic thought partner in strengthening the ecosystem, working in partnership with RCWJRF’s designated external consultant to inform capacity gaps requiring investment and related opportunities.

• Design, implement, update and maintain a regional survey of Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs) to collect baseline data and KPI’s that will be used as the basis for ecosystem measurement and programming; additionally, manage creation of a regional dashboard for WNY and individual ESOs, and manage related ecosystem data.

• Organize and manage occasional startup-focused events in partnership with ESOs.

• Assist in the networking of existing ESOs across the region.

• Manage an agency contract for regional marketing that amplifies the region’s “startup story” and elevates it as a hub for entrepreneurship.

• Develop grant applications to startup-focused national foundations and similar funders in partnership with RCWJRF’s designated external consultant.

  
  

Education, Experience, and Qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent experience in entrepreneurship, business, finance, economic development, management, or related field

• Beyond educational qualification, relevant professional experience in a partnership-related or corporate partnership organization, including in a nonprofit, education, community-facing, or entrepreneurship / economic development environment

• Successful leadership experience in a mid-level role, and comfortable working in a multi-dimensional capacity

• Professional presence and a preference for external, direct interaction with stakeholders

• Relevant experience in organizational management, coalition-building

• Knowledge of Western New York region and entrepreneurial ecosystem a plus

• Exceptional communication skills both verbally and in writing

• Strong organization and relationship management skills

• High level of accuracy and attention to detail

• Self-motivated and directed

• Desire to work collaboratively with colleagues and the greater community

• Experience with MS Office, spreadsheet and / or database programs

• Proficient in drafting procurement RFP’s for services, partner agreements, technical memoranda, and/or competition guidelines, etc.

• Proficient in designing and building presentations using PowerPoint, Canva, and/or related software
  

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time exempt position. Salary range is $85,000-$100,000, commensurate with experience. Competitive benefits include health, dental, vision, 401k, HSA / FSA, sick days, vacation days, and more.

While the position is based in Rochester, the incumbent will be expected to travel on a regular basis throughout the 9-county WNY region to engage partners and

stakeholders.

Note

OneROC is an independent 501c6 organization. As part of its alliance framework, it

draws upon support from partner organizations, including Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, which serves as OneROC’s financial administration and human resources arm. While OneROC personnel report to the President & CEO of OneROC, all OneROC staff are technically employees of Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce and their related salary and benefit costs are reimbursed directly by OneROC. OneROC and Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce are Equal Opportunity Employers. It is our policy to provide equal opportunity in employment and conditions of employment to all individuals regardless of age, race, color, religious beliefs, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, veteran or military status, disability, pregnancy-related condition, predisposing genetic characteristics, genetic information, marital status, familial status, prior arrest, domestic violence victim status, non-job related convictions, participation in lawful activities outside of our workplace, or any other status protected by law.

To Apply

Interested applicants can submit a cover letter and resumé to info@oneroc.com.