Senior Manager, New Initiatives

Location: Flexible (Remote) | Employment Type: Full-Time | Reports To: Founder & President About Knowledge Networks Knowledge Networks (KN) is a global platform driving responsible AI governance and enterprise AI leadership. Through our flagship initiatives—Regulating AI and CAIO Connect—we convene policymakers and Fortune 1000 executives to shape an inclusive, democratic, and innovative AI future. We are expanding our impact through new ventures and partnerships launched on a phased 36-month roadmap. Role Overview The Senior Manager, New Initiatives is a hands-on builder responsible for prioritizing, validating, and launching KN’s next wave of ventures and programs. This role blends startup/VC rigor (deal flow, diligence, venture enablement) with program execution (partnerships, pilots, budgets, KPIs). You’ll work directly with the Founder and initiative leads to turn high-impact ideas into sustainable offerings—scrappily and with limited resources. What You’ll Do Venture Sourcing, Diligence & Investment Readiness · Build and manage a pipeline of startups and venture ideas aligned to KN focus areas (AI governance, enterprise AI, policy-tech). · Review business plans, vet feasibility (market, product, GTM, unit economics), and run lightweight commercial and financial diligence (TAM, pricing, margins, simple models). · Produce concise investment/partnership memos with clear recommendations, risks, and milestone plans. · Coach founders/CEOs on fundraising readiness (narrative, deck, metrics, data room) and investor targeting; facilitate warm introductions. Portfolio Enablement & Revenue · Design and run customer discovery and pilot programs with enterprise/government partners. · Drive early commercial traction: first customers, lighthouse partners, sponsorships, and co-marketing. · Create repeatable GTM playbooks (ICP, messaging, outreach, proof-of-value, ROI calculators). · Track pipeline and outcomes in CRM; report KPIs to leadership, sponsors, and partners. Program Management & Delivery · Own the 36-month roadmap (0–12, 12–24, 24–36 months) for new initiatives; prioritize by impact/ROI/strategic value. · Build lean execution plans (budget, timeline, KPIs); manage cross-functional contributors, vendors, and interns. · Stand up dashboards for OKRs, experiment results (A/Bs), sponsor deliverables, and risk/issue logs. Partnerships & Ecosystem · Cultivate relationships across accelerators/incubators, early-stage funds, enterprise innovation teams, policy orgs, and universities. · Package KN value propositions for sponsors and corporate partners; ensure we deliver on commitments with excellence. · Represent KN at events; present progress and secure new partners. What Success Looks Like (6–12 Months) · Qualified pipeline of 30–50 relevant startups/ventures; completed diligence on 10–15. · 5–8 pilots launched with enterprise/government partners; 3–5 customer/partner LOIs or paid engagements. · 2–3 sponsorships or strategic partnerships closed that advance initiative KPIs. · Live dashboard reporting traction metrics (pipeline, pilots, revenue, sponsor deliverables). Qualifications Must-Have · 5+ years in one or more: accelerator/incubator operations, early-stage VC/PE, corporate innovation, or startup operating roles. · Demonstrated ability to review business plans, evaluate feasibility, and translate into actionable execution plans. · Hands-on experience working with startup CEOs on fundraising, customer acquisition, and partner development. · Strong project/program management skills; thrives in resource-constrained, fast-moving environments. · Excellent communication: can craft tight memos, decks, and sponsor updates; confident with C-suite and policymakers. Nice-to-Have · Exposure to AI, enterprise software/SaaS, or public-sector/regulated markets. · Ability to build simple financial models (LTV/CAC, payback, scenario analysis). · Network across VCs, accelerators, enterprise innovation, and policy organizations. · Experience closing sponsorships or B2B/enterprise deals. Traits We Value · Builder’s mindset: bias to action, iterate with real users, measure what matters. · Founder empathy: practical coaching, crisp feedback, celebrates progress. · Operational excellence: structured thinking, strong follow-through, reliable reporting. · Mission orientation: commitment to ethical, inclusive AI and public-interest outcomes. Compensation & Work Mode · Competitive salary plus performance-based incentives tied to venture traction (pilots, revenues, partnerships). · Flexible, remote-first role with global exposure; occasional travel for pilots, partnerships, and events.