Director, Startup & VC Placement

Team Overview

In 2024, MLT launched the Startups and Impact initiative to drive equity and representation in the startup ecosystem, particularly across high-growth startups (unicorns and soonicorns), founders, and venture capital (VC). This agile, fast-paced team is committed to disrupting traditional norms through strategic partnerships and dynamic talent pipelines that advance BIPOC and female talent in the startup arena.

About the Role

The Director, Startup and VC Placement will be an integral part of this mission. In this role, you’ll use your charisma, talent advisory skills, and innovative problem-solving to connect exceptional talent with the people, organizations, and opportunities that will accelerate their careers in the Startup Arena. You’ll be responsible for reimagining traditional placement processes, championing equity, and building networks across the startup ecosystem, especially in NYC and the Bay Area. You’ll be both a strategist and an advocate, working closely with MLT’s network, partners, and candidates to ensure long-term, sustainable impact.

Work You’ll Do

Strategic Talent Advocacy

• Act as a passionate advocate for underrepresented talent, championing their potential with startup and VC hiring managers, founders, and investors.
• Drive creative solutions to expand candidate networks and shape new roles or opportunities for our talent network.
• Work closely with partners to redefine how they approach hiring, elevating diverse talent as a competitive advantage in the innovation economy.
• Build bridges between MLT’s network and key players in the startup/VC ecosystem, enabling introductions that result in expanded access and equity.

Innovative Placement Design

• Develop and execute a forward-thinking placement system tailored to the unique needs of the startup/VC ecosystem, focusing on agility, experimentation, and design thinking.
• Leverage data-driven insights to iterate and improve placement strategies, with a focus on long-term outcomes rather than transactional recruitment.

Trusted Relationship Building and Partner Management

• Cultivate and manage a group of MLT Talent Advocates: individuals in positions of power and influence in the hiring decisions at scalable startups willing to advocate for curated MLT talent.
• Collaborate with select startup and VC partners to deepen relationships, understand their hiring processes, bars, and goals, and be willing to share opportunities with MLT.
• Onboard new high-growth startups and VC firms, establishing trust and confidence in MLT's expertise and the caliber of MLT’s talent.
• Represent MLT at events, fostering connections and raising the profile and quality of MLT’s talent.

Internal Collaboration and Leadership

• Partner with internal MLT stakeholders, including program teams and alumni engagement, to source potential candidates and to gather background profile information about them.
• Manage and mentor one team member, fostering their growth and contributions to the Startups Careers Initiative.

What You Have

• 10+ years of professional experience in Talent Advisory, Talent Acquisition, or a related field.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for experimentation, iteration, and driving systemic change and understanding the needs of startups to be successful, particularly talent needs.
• Ideally, 5+ years of partner or client management experience, with a track record of building meaningful, results-driven relationships.
• Proven experience networking, connecting top talent, and facilitating introductions that lead to transformational opportunities.
• Experience working with senior-level talent, with the confidence and storytelling skills to advocate for them at the highest levels.
• Quick learner with the ability to adapt to new challenges and thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Passion and respect for MLT's mission and our talent network.

What We Offer

Inspiring Work

-Transform lives and contribute to a larger social cause

-Quickly see measurable impact from your work

-Make your mark during a critical growth phase for MLT

-Opportunity to work with the visionary leader, John Rice

Community

-Weekly virtual and in-person happy hours 

-Employee Affinity Groups (EAGs)

Professional Development

-Regular skill-development seminars hosted by our industry-leading partners

-Regularly scheduled lunch-and-learns

Benefits Package

-Health and dental insurance

-Workplace flexibility

-Paid holidays

-Transit benefits

*Benefits package applies to full-time employees only

About Management Leadership For Tomorrow (MLT)

At Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT), our purpose is clear: we aim to advance racial equity by elevating economic and career paths for People of Color. Established in 2002, MLT is a national nonprofit committed to closing racial wealth gaps. We believe individuals of Black, Latine, and Native American (BLNA) descent should not only survive, but thrive. Spanning from college to senior-level positions, including C-suite and boards of directors, our comprehensive programs for BLNA talent have impacted over 10,000 people. 

Today, we partner with over 200 notable organizations across a variety of fields including tech, finance, and education. With over two decades of experience in developing and implementing racial equity strategies, MLT provides organizations with a winning DEI playbook, strategies, and tactics. Our Racial Equity at Work Certification Programs set a clear standard and roadmap for companies that are committed to advancing Black and Hispanic Equity in their workplaces. Join us at MLT to reshape the corporate landscape, where your journey propels both personal growth and collective equity in our communities.

Commitment to Diversity

MLT embraces diversity and welcomes individuals from all walks of life. We strongly encourage People of Color (POC), LGBTQIA+ community members, and transgender/non-binary individuals to apply. Our organizational strength thrives on our differences, and we are dedicated to creating an inclusive, authentic workplace where everyone can flourish. 

COVID Statement 

MLT is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace, and to modeling the highest degree of health standards for our Fellows, our Partners, and the communities we serve. We expect all MLT employees and contractors to be fully vaccinated - including the booster regimen - against the coronavirus (COVID-19), in accordance with ADA accommodations. Visitors to MLT’s office in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) locations or remote work sites should also expect to comply with this requirement.

Please apply to a position with MLT ONLY if you are willing and able to prove that you are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, regardless of work location.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

We're an equal-opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.