Junior Associate, Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition & Employee Ownership

Location: Remote (Jackson, MS Metro Area)

Reports to: Senior Program Manager

Employment Type: 1-year term (Full Time)

Salary: $50,000

About Community Development Investors (CDI)

Community Development Investors (CDI) is a nonprofit initiative committed to building wealth in historically underserved communities. CDI works alongside federal, state, local, philanthropic, and corporate partners to advance inclusive economic growth and ensure that capital, ownership, and opportunity are accessible to all.

Position Overview

CDI is seeking a Junior Associate to support its executive team and its growing portfolio of work in Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) and Employee Ownership (EO). This role blends programmatic and administrative work, including research and operational responsibilities. The ideal candidate thrives in a mission-driven, fast-paced environment and can balance strategic initiatives with day-to-day execution. The Junior Associate will help advance CDI’s strategy to address the “Silver Tsunami” of retiring small-business owners by building pathways for businesses to be acquired by diverse entrepreneurs and employees.

Key Responsibilities

1) Administrative & Event Coordination

• • Manage scheduling, meeting coordination, and travel logistics for senior staff as needed.
  • Coordinate logistics for in-person and virtual events, including invitations, RSVPs, and vendor management.
  • Track deliverables, deadlines, and project milestones across multiple workstreams.
  • Support expense reporting and document management to ensure grant compliance and operational efficiency.

2) Program & Research Support

• • Conduct research on ETA, EO, and inclusive private-capital models, including market trends, policy developments, and best practices.
  • Prepare briefs, memos, and presentations for CDI leadership, funders, and policymakers.
  • Track and manage projects related to CDI’s ETA/EO training programs and pilot acquisition fund.
  • Support the planning and execution of convenings, workshops, and roundtables with partners and ecosystem stakeholders.

3) Stakeholder & Coalition Engagement

• • Coordinate communications and meetings with corporate, philanthropic, academic, and public-sector partners.
  • Provide logistical and administrative support for working groups and meetings, including agenda preparation, note-taking, and follow-up.
  • Maintain and update contact records in CDI’s CRM system to track engagement and outcomes.

4) Communications & Development Support

• • Draft or edit grant proposals, progress reports, and impact summaries related to ETA and EO initiatives.
  • Support internal and external communications by preparing talking points, newsletters, social media content, and board materials.
  • Coordinate review and production of public-facing materials and presentations.

Qualifications

Required

• • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
  • 1–2 years of relevant, full-time equivalent experience in program coordination, research/analysis, events/logistics, development/grant support, small-business operations, or policy/community economic development.
  • Demonstrated experience managing multiple deadlines and stakeholders.
  • Comfort producing short briefs/memos from desk research; ability to synthesize sources clearly for non-specialist audiences.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and CRM systems.
  • Demonstrated commitment to inclusive economic growth and wealth-building for underserved communities.

Preferred

• • Familiarity with Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA), Employee Ownership (EO), CDFIs, impact investing, small-business lending, or related fields.
  • Comfort working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment with a small, collaborative team.
  • Proximity to the Jackson, MS area (position is primarily remote; periodic travel may be required).

Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance; retirement contributions; generous PTO; and professional development support.