Economic Development Fellow

ABOUT SUNSTONE

Sunstone Management, a diversified private capital firm that invests in diverse early-stage technology entrepreneurs, is seeking candidates for an Economic Development Fellowship role for the annual Sunstone 6-month Fellowship Program. This position offers an exciting opportunity to gain hands-on experience in economic development.

POSITION OVERVIEW

As the Economic Development Fellow at Sunstone Management, you will leverage your research and analytical skills to drive community growth and economic innovation. Your ability to collaborate and communicate effectively across departments will ensure cohesive messaging and strategic alignment. You will gain hands-on experience in project management, resource optimization, and strategic planning, all while building valuable relationships with industry leaders. This role offers unparalleled professional development and mentorship opportunities, allowing you to apply your academic knowledge to realworld challenges and make a meaningful impact on communities.

• Part-time: 24-32 hours per week; 6-month fellowship.
• Compensation: $32.00 per hour.
• Location: Airport Towers, Irvine, CA (in-person)
• Reports to: Economic Development Officer

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Resource Management

• Collaborate with the web team to integrate new information effectively.
• Identify emerging trends and opportunities in government funding landscapes.
• Assist in developing the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) database.
• Identify processes and best practices while building tools and databases.
• Expand on the economic snapshot and identify solutions for AI integration.
• Research and develop resources, templates, and outlines to enhance Sunstone Cities' product development and service offerings.

Program and Project Support

• Assist in researching best practices in municipal economic development for government consulting contracts.
• Contribute to the development and updating of economic development templates and tools for city initiatives.
• Support the planning and coordination of community events, including educational webinars and fundraising activities.
• Conduct research on community needs and potential fund recipients.
• Prepare analytical reports on program performance and impact.

Interdepartmental Collaboration

• Act as the liaison between the Economic & Community Development and Marketing & Communications Departments to ensure consistent messaging and branding.
• Collaborate on content creation for various communication channels.
• Assist in managing sponsorships, including annual funding and event sponsorships.

Documentation and Reporting

• Maintain detailed records of program-related activities.
• Create and update project plans, operating procedures, and checklists.
• Prepare professional PowerPoint presentations for meetings.
• Draft clear and concise memorandums, formal reports, and email updates.

Administrative Support

• Manage the department calendar and schedule meetings.
• Assist in budget tracking and expense reporting.
• Coordinate travel arrangements for team members as needed.
• Organize and maintain digital and physical filing systems.
• Provide general administrative support to ensure smooth department operations.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be currently enrolled or completed a public policy, public administration, policy data science, political science, or related master’s degree program (ex. Master of Public Administration, Master of Public Policy, etc.)
• Strong project management, organizational, and multitasking abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Keen interest in economic development, community development, research, and public sector consulting.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Teams, Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Must be available during normal working hours (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM).