Director

Builders VC seeks a Director of Strategic Partnerships & Ecosystem Development to catalyze growth in New Mexico's startup community. This key position will connect our portfolio companies with vital resources while establishing Builders VC as the region's premier venture partner. The ideal candidate excels at building strategic relationships, identifies untapped opportunities, and has a proven track record of driving economic development through entrepreneurship. This role offers the unique opportunity to shape New Mexico's innovation ecosystem while working with visionary founders who are transforming traditional industries.

Core Responsibilities

Supporting Startups

• Build Builders VC's reputation as the leading venture capital partner in the New Mexico region.
• Act as a connector for portfolio companies by facilitating introductions to local corporations, potential customers, mentors, and other ecosystem players.
• Conduct one-on-one meetings with entrepreneurs to guide them to appropriate resources, mentors, or opportunities at critical moments in their growth journey.
• Cultivate relationships with corporate leaders to identify opportunities for Builders VC portfolio companies, fostering business development and strategic partnerships.
• Plan and execute CEO Summits, workshops, and networking events, including logistics such as:
  • Venue selection, guest lists, and event programming
  • Securing high-impact speakers, mentors, and facilitators
  • Arranging sponsorships for travel, accommodations, and catering.
• Provide technical recruiting support for Builders VC portfolio companies as needed, connecting startups with high-quality talent.

Community Collaboration

• Develop and manage strategic partnerships with regional stakeholders such as coworking spaces, accelerators, incubators, universities, government and economic development organizations.
• Identify gaps in the startup ecosystem and work collaboratively to design and implement solutions, leveraging existing resources where possible.
• Represent Builders VC at regional events to promote startup innovation and Builders VC's mission, including speaking engagements, panel participation, and other thought leadership activities.
• Recruit mission-aligned advocates and volunteers to champion Builders VC's work and provide operational support for initiatives.
• Host events, meetups, and roundtable discussions to foster collaboration and drive ecosystem growth.

Operational Excellence

• Track and report on key performance indicators (KPIs), including but not limited to:
  • Number of startups served
  • Number of partnerships formed
  • Jobs created by portfolio companies
  • Number of speaking engagements and events hosted
  • Event attendance metrics
  • Startups relocating to the region.
• Regularly measure impact and success through data-driven reporting for stakeholders, producing executive summaries, quarterly reports, and annual reviews.
• Amplify regional success stories and achievements to showcase Builders VC's impact within the local ecosystem.
• Coordinate and maintain relationships with investors, mentors, sponsors, and strategic partners to enhance Builders VC's network.

Additional Leadership Responsibilities

• Event Planning: Lead the organization and execution of Builders VC's Annual Meeting and other high-profile events.
• Communications: Manage external communications, including quarterly newsletters, investor updates, ESG/DEI surveys, social media (as needed), and region-specific reporting.
• Strategic Initiatives: Work on long-term initiatives that position Builders VC as a thought leader and driver of economic growth within the region.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in business, entrepreneurship, community development, or a related field.
• 5 years of experience in startup ecosystems, venture capital, economic development, or business development.
• Strong network within the startup, corporate, and community ecosystems in New Mexico (or the ability to quickly build one).
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills with a proven ability to plan and execute large-scale events and initiatives.
• Ability to build trust and relationships with diverse stakeholders, including entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, mentors, investors, and local partners.
• Experience with metrics-driven reporting and data analysis to measure impact.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• A proactive, entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to operate independently and adapt to changing priorities.