Seaworthy is Hiring: Founder Success Manager

OVERVIEW

Seaworthy Collective is seeking a Founder Success Manager to help facilitate our Tampa Bay area-focused Fellowship Program and support our other programs, including a national Startup Studio and Incubator. Our approach is unique; we embrace human-centered design, placing the needs, experiences, and aspirations of entrepreneurs at the core. Through empathy and understanding, as well as experience, we individually tailor our support for each founder to address their unique challenges.  In this way, we help support and develop founders as people, as much as their solutions. 

In the Tampa Bay region, we are striving to build a community of founders and aspiring founders focused on coastal resilience and the blue economy. This person will be actively engaged in developing partnerships with local organizations and universities to create an innovative Fellowship experience. They will also support the Programs Coordinator in creating community events for all.     

ABOUT SEAWORTHY

Seaworthy Collective is a Miami-based 501c3 nonprofit that supports current and aspiring entrepreneurs driving innovation for ocean impact (AKA BlueTech). Our mission is to bring all hands on deck for BlueTech, via programs to co-create and grow early-stage startups, build regional capacity, and educate our community. We empower Sea Change Makers – founders of all backgrounds leading profitable and planet-positive businesses. Since 2021, we’ve supported 100 founders across 50 BlueTech startups, who have raised over $34 million since graduating. Altogether, our local and global community generates scalable solutions for 71% of the planet (our ocean) to regenerate 100% of the planet.

​JOB DESCRIPTION

Seaworthy's founder success programs help individuals and startups that are solving the ocean and planet's biggest problems. Our team is looking for a Founder Success Manager to assist in leading our programs: our inaugural Tampa Bay Fellowship program, as well as our Startup Studio and Incubator. 

As Founder Success Manager, you will play a key role in executing Seaworthy Collective's startup programs. You’ll work with some of the world’s leading ocean impact innovators to support both co-creating solutions and growing existing startups. For our Startup Studio and Incubator program, you’ll assist in putting together 12 weeks of intensive programming focused on connecting up to 8 scalable solutions with our network, community, and access to capital. This will all involve working closely with our Director of Founder Success.

You will be instrumental in the development of our community and Fellowship programs, specifically tailored to the Tampa Bay area (Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco Counties). These programs are designed to support economic development and job creation in the region while educating the community about BlueTech. 

KEY SKILLS

You’ll learn something new every day in this role. We’ll teach you the ropes, but ideal candidates will have:

• 5+ years of work experience 

• An established network in the Tampa Bay Region [Hillsborough, Pinellas, and/or Pasco Counties]

• Proven ability to lead a small team and run a program from start to finish– project/program management, client-facing experience, and event planning experience are ideal, and adapt quickly in a changing environment

• An ability to think creatively to solve problems and to work without being closely managed 

• Excellent organizational skills and detail-oriented

• Ability to speak confidently in settings ranging from large group events to meetings with senior government, industry, and startup leaders

• Strong writing and verbal communication skills

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Able to oversee and lead programs in a fast-paced startup environment

• A collaborative problem-solver with a demonstrated ability to produce exceptional results with limited resources

• Efficient, resilient, and flexible

• Prior experience and/or a strong interest in technology, startups, or ocean tech

• Willing to work in an environment that is welcoming, open, transparent, curious, collaborative, challenging, results-driven, and fun!

• Strong organization, management, and people skills

• Passionate about ocean impact 

ADDITIONAL DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Past experience working in venture studios, incubators, or accelerator programs.  (not required)

• Systems Management Expertise: Demonstrated experience with CRM/Airtable/Project Management Tools (building workflows, dashboards, etc.).

• Data Analysis & Reporting Skills: Comfort in tracking, analyzing, and presenting program KPIs.

• Exceptional Copywriting & Marketing Skills: Ability to craft professional communications and potentially assist founders with high-level feedback on pitch decks.

• Community Building Experience: Proven ability to foster strong networking and cohesion within a group.

• Global/International Experience: Familiarity with managing diverse stakeholders and different time zones.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide support to the Director of Founder Success through Startup Program Coordination and Execution:

• Assist in planning, overseeing, and managing the development and execution of Seaworthy Collective's programs, to include a high volume of events for each program, curriculum sessions, and meetings across mentors, government, and industry

• Contribute to scaling Seaworthy Collective's programs through improving processes, playbooks, and policies

• Work with the Director of Founder Success to continually revise and maintain a flexible curriculum that is aligned with current best practices 

• Administer and iterate to improve surveys and other assessment tools to capture and analyze data for program planning, decision-making, and reporting  

• Provide oversight for interns

• Work with the Seaworthy Collective leadership team to identify ways to incorporate programs into other businesses and collaborative opportunities.

LOCATION AND START DATE

Location: Hillsborough, Pinellas, or Pasco Counties 

Tentative Start date: February 2026 

Anticipated Salary [Commensurate with experience]: $80,000-$90,000

Application form: https://forms.gle/RqmjAot4iup7BbcQ9