Path Ahead Ventures - Founder Program Manager

Path Ahead Ventures opens doors for founders and small businesses shaping the future of the outdoor industry by expanding opportunity and supporting emerging brands that help REI better serve a broader community of customers.

This role owns the execution and ongoing development of REI’s founder programs, translating strategy into meaningful cohort experiences, programming, and community engagement. As a senior individual contributor, the role manages the full program lifecycle—from selection through delivery and alumni engagement—while shaping curriculum, evolving program content, and working cross-functionally to ensure programs deliver impact for founders and the co-op.

Essential Job Functions (Planning & Navigation Requirements)

• Leads end-to-end execution of Path Ahead Ventures founder programs, translating strategic priorities into integrated program plans, timelines, and delivery outcomes
• Designs and manages the founder application and selection process, ensuring clear criteria, equitable evaluation, and a strong candidate and cohort experience
• Develops and delivers cohort programming, including curriculum, workshops, mentorship, events, and experiences that support founder growth and business development
• Orchestrates program delivery across sessions, participants, and partners, ensuring a consistent, high-quality experience from onboarding through completion
• Develop and support alumni engagement strategies and activities to strengthen the ongoing Path Ahead founder community
• Builds and manages relationships with founders, mentors, advisors, and partners to support program delivery, strengthen community, and advance program goals
• Partners cross-functionally to support founder outreach, program delivery, and alignment with merchandising, marketing, impact, and broader business priorities
• Captures and synthesizes program insights, feedback, and performance data to identify opportunities for improvement and evolve program design and content
• Facilitates connections between founders and internal and external partners to support learning, business development, and ecosystem engagement
• Manages program operations and planning inputs, including budgets, vendor coordination, and key systems, ensuring programs are delivered effectively and in alignment with plan

Required & Preferred Qualifications

Required:

• 5+ years of experience in program management, founder support, partnerships, or related fields, ideally within startup, accelerator, retail, or mission-driven environments
• Experience leading complex, multi-workstream programs or cohort-based initiatives from planning through delivery
• Ability to translate strategy into execution and manage cross-functional program delivery with minimal oversight
• Experience designing or facilitating learning experiences, events, or curriculum-based programming
• Ability to synthesize feedback and data to drive program improvements and enhance overall effectiveness
• Ability and willingness to travel periodically for program delivery, founder engagement, and team collaboration

Preferred:

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in a related field such as business, economics, communications, or equivalent experience
• Experience in startup ecosystems, founder development, or innovation-focused programs
• Familiarity with retail or consumer brands and community-based business models

At REI, we believe the outdoors is for all. We are committed to becoming a fully inclusive, anti-racist, multicultural organization. We know that there's strength in our diversity – that each employee brings unique skills, experiences, and perspectives. Every day you are driving change, fostering a culture of respect, and knowing you're backed by benefits that support your whole life. To work towards this commitment and fulfill our brand promise of inspiring and enabling a life outside for everyone, we seek employees who demonstrate different ways of working, create a sense of belonging, and actively listen and learn.   

Pay Transparency  

We are committed to practices that promote pay equity and transparency. As required by applicable Pay Transparency laws, REI provides a range of compensation for roles that may be hired in locations under these requirements. Factors that may be used to determine your actual salary may include a wide array of factors, including: your specific skills and experience, geographic location or other relevant factors.    

REI offers all regular employees a generous employee discount, access to health benefits, a retirement savings plan and accrued time off.  Click here for a detailed overview of benefits plans by employee profile.