Portfolio Development Manager in Somerville, Massachusetts at Greentown Labs

About Greentown Labs

Greentown Labs is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit accelerating climatetech innovation for the planet, people, and prosperity. As the world’s largest climatetech and energy startup incubator, Greentown catalyzes ecosystems to provide entrepreneurs mission-critical access to labs, equipment, customers, capital, talent, community, and resources for business and leadership growth. Greentown is home to more than 250 startups and has supported more than 675 since its founding in 2011; these startups, with a survival rate of 88 percent, have collectively created more than 16,600 jobs and raised more than $12.5B in funding. We are entering a new phase of growth—strengthening our platform, expanding globally, and building more structured, scalable ways to serve our two core customer bases: startups and corporate partners. For more information, visit www.greentownlabs.com or follow Greentown on LinkedIn.

Position Overview

The Portfolio Development Manager supports startup intake for Greentown Labs' Massachusetts incubator (60% allocation) and manages program operations for the First Valley Fellowship (40% allocation). This role bridges startup recruitment with hands-on program delivery, ensuring a strong intake pipeline for the incubator while supporting founders through fellowship programming.

You'll join a small, fast-moving team that stays agile in how it responds to a high volume of opportunity, working closely with the Director and staying deeply engaged with the regional climate tech ecosystem.

What you'll do

• Manage Startup Applications: manage recruitment operations for new member applicants at the Massachusetts location, including screening, candidate communications, pitch calls, interviews, and contract coordination.
• Proactive Founder Outreach: research and map the regional climate tech ecosystem to identify, engage, and build relationships with promising early-stage entrepreneurs.
• Lead Qualification: screen inbound inquiries and staff referrals against incubator criteria, evaluating stage, technology fit, and program readiness.
• Pipeline Tracking & Data Integrity: maintain accurate candidate data and pipeline stages in Salesforce, tracking applicants from initial contact through onboarding.
• Recruitment Events: plan and execute digital and in-person prospecting events, workshops, and pitch sessions designed to drive quality application flow.
• Program Operations & Grant Compliance: execute day-to-day operations for the First Valley Fellowship, ensuring key milestones are met and grant partner reporting obligations are fulfilled.
• Fellow & Mentor Coordination: manage fellow selection workflows, mentor matching/training, and regular founder check-ins, serving as the core operational layer that enables the program to scale.
• Stakeholder Engagement: collaborate across internal teams and external partner networks to set clear expectations, deliverables, and momentum while maintaining a high standard of founder support.
• Program Delivery & Events: partner with Marketing and Events teams to co-create tailored programming, workshops, and high-visibility program events (digital and in-person).

Who You Are

You're curious about new technologies and startups, even if you don't arrive with deep ecosystem expertise already. You listen well and want to understand what a founder actually needs, not just make a pitch — and you're comfortable starting a conversation and building rapport with a wide range of stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Experience: 2–4 years of experience in startup operations, incubator/accelerator programs, partnership coordination, or customer/client operations.
• Project & Process Management: proven ability to manage multi-stakeholder projects, track deliverables, and keep programs moving forward smoothly.
• CRM & Data Proficiency: solid experience using CRMs (such as Salesforce) for pipeline tracking, data entry, and basic reporting.
• Relationship & Customer Service Focus: exceptional interpersonal skills with a knack for communicating empathetically and professionally with diverse stakeholders (founders, mentors, corporate partners).
• Mission Alignment: passion for climate technology, entrepreneurship, and environmental justice.
• Growth Mindset: strong organizational skills, comfortable working in a fast-moving environment, and an enthusiasm for learning on the job — you don't need to arrive with deep startup-ecosystem expertise, just the curiosity to build it.

What Success Looks Like

• The Massachusetts incubator has a consistently healthy pipeline of qualified startup applicants, with clean, up-to-date data in Salesforce from first contact through onboarding.
• The First Valley Fellowship's next cohort runs smoothly — fellows and mentors are well matched and supported, and funder reporting is delivered on time and to spec.
• Founders and mentors experience responsive, high-quality support throughout their engagement with Greentown.
• You've built genuine relationships across the regional climate tech ecosystem that translate into a stronger, more targeted applicant pipeline over time.

General Physical Demands

Reasonable accommodations will be provided upon request to enable candidates to perform the essential functions of the position.

• Communication: Regularly required to communicate with others in person, via phone, and virtually/electronically
• Stationary Work: Prolonged periods working on a computer
• Mobility: Regularly moving around the office to interact with colleagues, access files, and attend meetings
• Physical Demands: Lifting and carrying up to 25 lbs.

Additional Considerations

• Travel: Occasional travel may be required to attend off-site events or conferences.
• Late Hours: Evening work will be necessary for some events.

Work Location and Schedule

Greentown staff operates in office. Occasional evening work will be expected to support and capture content at events. Our standard business hours are 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Be a part of a dynamic and growing organization committed to making a positive impact on the world
• Work in a collaborative and supportive environment with opportunities for professional development
• Employees may be eligible for incentive compensation at year-end; incentive compensation is tied to organizational performance and individual performance

Equal Opportunity Statement

Greentown Labs is an Equal Opportunity Employer and we do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, pregnancy, status as a veteran, genetic information, and basis of disability or any other federal, state, or local protected class.

Greentown Labs seeks to fully represent our community and constituencies—particularly low-income communities and communities of color—to amplify those voices and provide opportunities to participate in the direction and leadership of the organization. We actively encourage candidates from broad, diverse backgrounds to apply.

Accommodations: In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), Greentown Labs will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. To request an accommodation during the application process, please contact hr@greentownlabs.com.

At-will Employment

This job description is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract of employment for any specific duration. Employment with Greentown Labs is at-will, meaning that the employment relationship can be terminated by the employee or the Company at any time, for any reason, with or without notice.