Description:
Accelerator Program Associate

About Us:

Target is an iconic brand, a Fortune 50 company and one of America's leading retailers. On pace with one of the world's best-loved and most recognized retail brands, Target Strategy & Innovation is focused on the future. We are at the center of developing and enabling how Target evolves to meet the changing needs of our guests while winning a competitive global retail marketplace. Here, you'll partner with internal contacts and external firms in a wide variety of roles-whether you're a technical engineer in San Francisco or a corporate strategist at Target headquarters in Minneapolis. Do you love the idea of helping to shape Target's long-term strategy development? Are you a champion for rigor and process to ensure successful strategic planning? Can you bring your energy and big ideas to the table in order to build momentum in new business innovation? Then bring your talent to the game and join us in bringing to life a portfolio of initiatives designed to move Target forward.

A role with Innovation means helping Target accelerate and prove new concepts that differentiate the guest experience and generate new revenue streams. You'll help pioneer ideas designed to disrupt certain market spaces working within a cross-functional team or engage with start-ups with an aim on testing and accelerating their products. You'll ensure success by rapidly applying your expertise and fostering an entrepreneurial culture while leveraging the benefit of a large organization's knowledge and resources.

As Accelerator Program Associate, you support Target Accelerators programs across execution, operations and systems throughout the full program lifecycle: recruitment, applications, pre-program preparation, program, and post-program.

Responsibilities:

Recruiting:

• Attends external events in support of scouting and recruiting potential participants
• Support Lead Pipeline Manager in recruiting events and other pipeline growth activities, including but not limited to: event preparation/facilitation, tech support with Hubspot / Zoom / Slack and other relevant applications

Application:

• Assist Sr. Accelerator Program Managers with application set up, review and cohort selection
• Coordinates any communication between applicants and program team including but not limited to: review notifications, interview set-up and scheduling (internal / external), turndown process
• Master submission platform process and technology capabilities

Program:

• Coordinate any and all program events in partnership with Marketing lead and Sr. Accelerator Program Manager, managing details such as: logistics, swag / gifting / thank you communications, program / run-of-show
• Manages aspects of one or more accelerator programs in partnership with Accelerator team
• Creates and manages operational 'playbooks' for programs.
• Supports Sr. Accelerator Program Managers in creating content where applicable (decks, workshops, activities, etc.)
• Builds relationships with key internal partners that support our programs
• Manages follow-ups for the cohort, mentor introductions, one-off requests and feedback

Other:

• Support team with one-off projects such as startup ecosystem research projects, speaker organization, documentation and program audits
• Represent Target in the local community, both actively and passively
• Contribute to the execution of Target's innovation programs, including during travel, extended night and weekend hours (for future hybrid/in-person programming)

Core responsibilities of this job are described within this job description. Job duties may change at any time due to business needs

Required Experience:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience
• Self-motivated and proactive in the working environment; proven ability to work with speed and accuracy to deadlines is essential
• Organized, process and detail-oriented
• Strong written, verbal and presentation and communication skills
• Keen interest in innovation, startups and entrepreneurship
• Experience with diverse and inclusive experiences and environments, ability to work with a range of people, and comfortable leaning into difficult conversations
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)

Ideal Behaviors and Skills:

• Undeniable entrepreneurial behavior and attitude
• Ability to maintain a calm presence under extremely fast and high-pressure social scenarios
• A magnificent passion for innovation

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Target will provide reasonable accommodations (such as a qualified sign language interpreter or other personal assistance) with the application process upon your request as required to comply with applicable laws. If you have a disability and require assistance in this application process, please visit your nearest Target store or Distribution Center or reach out to Guest Services at 1-800-440-0680 for additional information.

Qualifications: