Recruitment & Capital Access Lead
About WEPOWER
WEPOWER is building a team full of dreamers and doers. We partner with Black and Latinx communities to build power to re-design education, economic, justice, and health systems to be just and equitable for all. We build powerful relationships with community members and amplify their voices to inform critical decisions that impact their lives. We train community members to design new policies, organize, run for public office, and lead policy and systems change. We provide early-stage companies with access to coaching, capital, connections, and community as they create jobs in the communities with whom we partner.
In our first five years, WEPOWER has activated nearly 400 community leaders, won a historic ballot measure that guarantees millions in public funding annually for early childhood, supported approximately 100 businesses with access to capital, coaching, and connections, and launched a one-of-a-kind investment fund. We envision a future where systems are accountable to powerful communities that have been historically oppressed, and nurture our freedom, well-being, dreams, and joy. We are building a powerful movement led by everyday people, and we have bold plans to get us there. Join us!
Our team is…
About the Opportunity
Reporting to the Chief Of Staff (COS), the Recruitment & Capital Access Lead is an exempt full time employee who will be hired to lead a grant funded project through December 2025.
You Will…
Lead recruitment of values aligned Black and Latinx entrepreneurs & underrepresented entrepreneurs
Lead process of supporting and connecting entrepreneurs within the WEPOWER community and beyond to the right forms of capital (grants, loans, and investments) to scale and sustain their businesses
Add capacity to grant management for services and financial support, serving as a liaison between funders and the Black & Latinx entrepreneurs we engage
You Are…
First and foremost, you’re deeply passionate about building resilient communities that leverage power to make the paying field equitable. You’re an experienced advocate and have a track record of supporting and advising small businesses to reach their goals. You’ve got your head in the clouds and your feet on the ground with a knack for developing and articulating big picture strategies while also being able to turn ideas into action.
You understand power; not only who has it, but how it’s historically been used to oppress and how it must be used to uplift, with specific focus to the small business sector. You’re a generalist with an ability to quickly triage support for a small business once you understand its core mission and goals, while also delving into the weeds of deep technical knowledge and detail when necessary. You prioritize creativity in this work as no two small businesses are exactly the same and cookie cutter solutions won’t work here. Being a team player is imperative as WEPOWER’s work culture is centered on values such as collaboration so you need to be a great team player with strong facilitation skills and the ability to build strong relationships with a wide range of different actors - from small business owners to content matter experts and financial sector leaders.
Your Qualifications and Experience
We’re seeking an experienced leader committed to building a more just and inclusive multi-racial democracy.
We evaluate candidates on the whole of their experience and skills, and we encourage people to apply even if you do not meet all of the “requirements.” We strongly encourage and seek applications from women, people of color and multi-racial/multi-ethnic people, people with disabilities, as well as members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans/nonbinary/gender non-conforming communities.
Work Environment
Fun. Fast. Focused. Values-driven. Community-centered. Collaborative. Innovative. Lots of brainstorming and imagining what’s possible and then chasing each possibility until it is reality!
As a startup, being part of the team at WEPOWER requires extreme commitment and agility, AND we value each team member’s personal life circumstances and priorities. We will work together to ensure the organization prioritizes the health, social-emotional wellbeing, and morale of each team member! Living our values regarding the importance of rest, team members have the authority to structure flex time as work ebbs and flows.
Given the nature of campaigns, some evening and weekend work will be expected, but break weeks after intense work periods (e.g. election day) is available for team members and highly encouraged. Additionally, this is a remote office environment, but it’s strongly preferred that the final candidate be based in or willing to relocate to the St Louis area.
There will be 24-hour access to an office space with printing, open workspace, private meeting rooms, and a conference room.
Travel
You will engage in limited travel (roughly once a quarter) with the exception of professional development experiences that align to your short-term and long-term development goals and areas of interests.
Equal Opportunity Employer
WEPOWER is an equal opportunity employer and a fierce advocate for equity in the workplace. We value diversity in all its forms and aim to create an inclusive culture. WEPOWER encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, ancestry, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, hair texture, or other status protected by law.
Recruitment & Capital Access Lead
About WEPOWER
WEPOWER is building a team full of dreamers and doers. We partner with Black and Latinx communities to build power to re-design education, economic, justice, and health systems to be just…
Apply
Interested candidates can apply here and submit their resume as well as their responses to the pre-screening questions below.
Pre-screening Questions
Process
Phase Six: Background check and reference checks
Apply
Interested candidates can apply here and submit their resume as well as their responses to the pre-screening questions below.
Pre-screening Questions