INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY: The Idea Village is hiring graduate-level Summer Associates who will provide direct technical assistance to New Orleans entrepreneurs and development of The Idea Village programs.

JOB DESCRIPTIONS:
IDEAcorps Marketing Development Associate

IDEACorpsTM is an experiential learning program that connects leading MBA students and professionals to the business challenges facing high-impact entrepreneurs in New Orleans. IDEAcorps has engaged 280 students from 7 universities worldwide to accelerate the growth of over 100 entrepreneurial ventures. Responsibilities for the Marketing Development position may include:
• Develop marketing strategy and materials for fall 2009 MBA students, universities and other stakeholders
• Develop marketing collateral for sales presentations to corporate volunteers (salesforce.com and google.com have participated in the past)
• Incorporate feedback from research teams and surveys to improve marketing materials
• Conduct interviews with decisions makers at universities to better understand customers
• Work with team to create investor pitch plan for program

IDEACorps Financial Modeling Associate

Responsibilities for the Financial Modeling position may include:
• Evaluate currently financial structure and pricing
• Research and Conduct interviews with customer segments
• Design five year plan incorporating income stream scenarios
• Make strategic recommendations to reach sustainability of program
• Work with team to create investor pitch plan for IDEAcorps venture

Technical Assistance Associate

The Associate will work directly with a portfolio of entrepreneurs to provide strategic business assistance and accelerate company growth. Associates assist businesses by providing in-depth business consultation, including setting operational goals, advising and consulting on strategic business matters, connecting entrepreneurs to business mentors, and facilitating access to professional services and capital resources. Industries of focus may include urban redevelopment and the green industry.

Responsibilities may include:
• Identifying and prioritizing client’s business challenges
• Outlining appropriate scope of work and action plan to address client’s critical needs
• Build relationships to provide business clients with direct connections to The Idea Village staff and to non-staff business professionals, industry experts, service providers, and qualified investors
• Developing strategic business management tools including marketing and PR strategies, sales and distribution plans, financial models, and operational systems

BENEFITS:
• Paid position
• Valuable professional and consulting experience
• Exposure to high-impact entrepreneurs, business development, marketing and economic development
• Participation in a fast-paced, exciting non-profit that is shaping the climate of innovation in New Orleans

JOB REQUIREMENTS: The Idea Village Summer Associates must exhibit the following:
• Ability to lead/manage entrepreneurs through the successful completion of The Idea Village scope of work
• Organized with the ability to prioritize, multi-task and manage time efficiently
• Strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills
• Strong leadership and networking skills
• Passion for working with entrepreneurs
• Ability to work in fast-paced entrepreneurial environment
• Self-starter who makes opportunities happen

Experience:
• Current enrollment in an MBA program or equivalent professional experience
• Consulting experience preferred
• Entrepreneurial experience a plus

Apply: Interested candidates should e-mail cover letter and resume to gwyn@ideavillage.org on or before Monday, April 20th, 2009. In the cover letter, please specify the position that you are seeking. Following receipt of application, The Idea Village will conduct in-person or phone interviews.

The Idea Village is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national or ethnic origin, disability, age, or sexual orientation.

ABOUT THE IDEA VILLAGE:
"Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the only ones who ever do…."

The Idea Village is an independent non-profit organization focused on incubating and retaining entrepreneurial talent in New Orleans. We seek sustainable economic growth of the New Orleans area via the dynamic innovation of entrepreneurs with high-impact business ideas. The Idea Village supports these ventures by offering expertise at identifying growth challenges, setting goals, providing business strategy, marketing support and financial direction. The scope of the Idea Village also extends to initiatives of talent retention within the New Orleans area and the innovative spaces program, which seeks to create collaborative spaces that inspire entrepreneurship. As of November 2008, The Idea Village has worked with over 240 local entrepreneurial ventures providing over 28,000 hours of business consulting and allocated over $1 million in grants. This year, The Idea Village is placing an emphasis on developing and sustaining a green industry sector within the New Orleans metro area. www.ideavillage.org.