Mission: Family Freedom Center seeks to empower the Black Community by reconstructing cultural and socio-economic narratives and unapologetically embracing what it means to be Black, both historically and present day. Family Freedom Center will do this by exploring alternative means of education and providing resources that bridge the gap between community and members. This bridge will engage members of the organization with love, respect, guidance, knowledge, and pride. Family Freedom Center programs will foster positive change in various systemic landscapes that directly impact the Black community while being inclusive to the Duluth community at large. We center our multi-generational program strategy around the following pillars that address the Impacts of Structural Racism:
- Develop Family Self Sufficiency
- Economic Development through Micro-Business
- Youth and Family Education
- Intersection of Race/Poverty and Class
Program Overview: Family Freedom Center's entrepreneurship strategy creates pathways to business ownership, economic mobility, and generational wealth by helping aspiring and existing entrepreneurs move from ideas to sustainable businesses. Through entrepreneurship education, technical assistance, access to capital, manufacturing resources, business incubation, and real-world sales opportunities, Freedom StartUps equips participants with the tools needed to launch, grow, and sustain successful enterprises.
Freedom StartUps serves as the adult entrepreneurship component of FFC's broader economic development strategy. Participants receive support through business development programs, individualized coaching, licensing and registration assistance, financial literacy education, mentorship, networking opportunities, and connections to funding resources. Entrepreneurs also gain access to shared manufacturing equipment, makerspace resources, vending opportunities, and commercial space through FFC's Trade Exchange Program and expanding business incubator initiatives.
Position Overview: Family Freedom Center (FFC) is seeking a dynamic leader to oversee Freedom StartUps and the organization's entrepreneurship and business ownership initiatives. This position is responsible for recruiting, organizing, motivating, and supporting entrepreneurs while strengthening the systems, partnerships, and opportunities that help businesses launch, stabilize, and grow.
The Director serves as the primary leader of FFC's adult entrepreneurship programming and economic development initiatives. This position works directly with entrepreneurs while building relationships with lenders, investors, business leaders, educators, funders, and community partners that expand opportunities for business ownership and economic mobility. The Director is responsible for creating an environment where entrepreneurs can access the resources, support, and opportunities needed to move their businesses forward.
The Director also provides leadership for FFC's business incubator initiative, working alongside the Executive Director and key partners to plan, develop, launch, and operate spaces that support emerging businesses.
This role requires a highly organized project manager capable of coordinating multiple initiatives, partnerships, development activities, and stakeholders while advancing FFC's broader economic development strategy. The successful candidate will be equally comfortable working with entrepreneurs, managing complex projects, building community partnerships, and overseeing the operational and administrative responsibilities associated with a growing portfolio of entrepreneurship initiatives.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Provide leadership and direction for Freedom StartUps and entrepreneurship initiatives.
- Recruit, support, and retain entrepreneurs participating in Freedom StartUps programs and business development services.
- Deliver entrepreneurship education programs, including Neighborhood Development Center's 12-week 'Plan It!' and 'Explore It!' courses, while providing support to participants as they launch, stabilize, and grow businesses.
- Deliver business coaching and technical assistance that support business development and growth, including assistance with business registration, licensing, branding, marketing, manufacturing, and financial management.
- Develop relationships with lenders, investors, grant-makers, and financial institutions while helping entrepreneurs identify, prepare for, and access capital opportunities.
- Connect entrepreneurs to commercial space, business incubator opportunities, retail opportunities, vending opportunities, and other sales channels that support business growth and long-term sustainability.
- Collaborate with the Director of START to ensure entrepreneurs have access to START Labs, makerspace resources, manufacturing equipment, and technical expertise.
- Coordinate and oversee the Trade Exchange Program, including entrepreneur access to manufacturing resources, equipment, and skill-sharing opportunities with youth participants.
- Develop and coordinate entrepreneur showcases, retail opportunities, and other market-based experiences that help entrepreneurs generate revenue and customer bases.
- Lead the planning, development, launch, and operation of FFC's business incubator initiatives, including entrepreneur recruitment, tenant support, facility operations, and coordination with development partners, consultants, contractors, funders, and financial institutions.
- Identify, evaluate, and develop new entrepreneurship initiatives, revenue opportunities, and partnerships that strengthen FFC's economic development strategy.
- Supervise staff, contractors, volunteers, mentors, and instructors.
- Maintain program records, budgets, reports, compliance requirements, and grant documentation.
- Work collaboratively with FFC staff and departments to support agency-wide events, fundraisers, Freedom Friday events and community engagement activities.
- Participate in organizational leadership, strategic planning, fundraising, and cross-departmental initiatives.
- Carry out additional duties assigned by the Executive Director.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in business, education, or related field, or equivalent experience.
- Experience supporting entrepreneurs, small businesses, commercial development projects, or business incubation initiatives preferred.
- Strong leadership, organizational, communication, and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to develop partnerships with businesses, community organizations, and industry leaders.
- Strong understanding of Black and Brown communities, families experiencing poverty, marginalized populations, and culturally relevant programming.
The position is full-time and exempt (salary). Position is grant funded; in addition to other specified conditions of employment, it is understood that no guarantee of continued employment, beyond the availability of current funds, is expressed or implied by Family Freedom Center.
Family Freedom Center provides equal employment opportunity to all qualified individuals without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, religious belief, sex, gender identity and/or expression, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status or other protected classification. FFC strongly encourages individuals with diverse backgrounds and members of the BIPOC community to apply.
Pay: $55,000.00 - $62,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Cell phone reimbursement
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Work Location: In person
