Program Lead, Venture Fellows

Company: Larta Institute
Location: Los Angeles
Posted on: February 17, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Role Summary Larta Institute is seeking a Program Lead to support the implementation of Venture Fellows, an 8-month hands-on acceleration program. Venture Fellows engages both emerging and experienced entrepreneurs who are developing innovative solutions that strengthen community resilience. The program places a special focus on supporting underserved and diverse communities across Los Angeles. The ideal candidate will have experience and a strong understanding of issues related to community resilience, including adaptability to weather-related events and disasters, solutions and approaches to clean energy, air, food, water and other relevant environmental concerns, coupled with excellent communication and networking skills. The Program Lead will lead the planning, delivery, monitoring, and assessment of Venture Fellow’s programming, while building trusted relationships with entrepreneurs, partners, stakeholders, community leaders, and Venture Fellows funders. The Program Lead will work closely with the Manager of Community Programs and Program Analysts, and serve as the primary point of coordination for the program’s internal and external collaborators, including the Venture Fellows Steering Committee, startup ecosystem, and more. This is a highly collaborative, mission-driven role that requires initiative, cultural competence, and operational agility. About Venture Fellows Venture Fellows, established in 2023, is a no-cost, hands-on program for early-stage and experienced entrepreneurs working to enhance community resilience and adaptability to weather disasters and environmental conditions in Los Angeles. We aim to identify, nurture, and scale community-rooted innovations. Participants receive technical support, business mentorship, and—for a select few—pilot funding to validate their solutions within the communities they serve. Larta’s experience drives a strong belief that innovative, evidence-based approaches and solutions in this program will deliver strong impact to the communities we serve and may be scaled to other communities across the country. Key Responsibilities The ideal candidate will be a motivated, organized and experienced professional, with a keen understanding of and interest in community resilience. As such, we need an individual who has demonstrated operational and management discipline, experience in managing fast-paced programs, and experience with data and metrics. Program Execution & Cohort Management: Oversee execution of the Venture Fellows curriculum with support from program analysts, including group cohort sessions, expert workshops, 1:1 mentoring, assessing needs of program participants, called “Fellows”, and program management, including overseeing the development of pilot proposals and demonstrations. Support outreach, recruitment, and marketing efforts which will yield a pipeline of promising diverse applicants. Lead onboarding and support for Fellows and program mentors, including matching mentors to Fellows, training sessions, and ongoing communication. Plan and coordinate events, both in-person and virtual, such as office hours, demo days, webinars, mixers and others. Coordinate with internal teams—including marketing, leadership, and operations—to ensure clear communication and alignment around key program activities such as outreach, information sessions, participant intake, enrollment, kick-off events, and service delivery. Ensure consistent quality control and continuous improvement across all program touchpoints. Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement Build and maintain relationships with community organizations, Venture Fellows Steering Committee members, funders, mentors, and program alumni. Maintain regular communication with the Venture Fellows Steering Committee through quarterly meetings and updates, ensuring their continued engagement in the program, and identifying opportunities for program support Serve as the principal liaison for check-in calls with cohort participants. Serve as a principal point of contact for sponsors and funders, and managing communication, collateral, representation and engagement with these critical stakeholders. Reporting, Evaluation & Data Tracking Maintain Larta’s program databases and tools to track participant progress, mentor engagement, and service delivery. Collect and analyze program data; generate internal reports, funder updates, and case studies to illustrate program impact. Assist in the development of funder-required reports and impact summaries, leveraging program data and insights to highlight outcomes and inform future program strategy. Develop and administer pre/post-program surveys for Fellows and Mentors. Use insights to identify knowledge gaps, track outcomes, and support continuous improvement. Qualifications & Experience Bachelor’s degree (preferably in science-related fields and/or business); master's degree preferred. 3–4 years of professional experience in program management, business development, or program-related roles in innovation and entrepreneurship. Experience working in or with accelerators and startups is a strong plus Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in fast-paced, high-pressure environments Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills Experience with data analysis and reporting tools; comfortable generating charts, graphs, and metrics for decision-making Proficiency in Office 365 (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); familiarity with Asana, HubSpot, and Teams is a plus Deep interest in supporting underrepresented founders and advancing equity in sustainable innovation Availability: Immediate Location: Hybrid, part-time office attendance in Los Angeles, CA is essential. What we offer! Larta Institute offers a competitive and attractive compensation and benefits package, as follows: Full-time employment within a mission-driven, non-profit organization An open, diverse and inclusive culture, with a commitment to job stability and personal growth Opportunities dedicated to personal and professional development Paid vacation, holiday, and sick time Paid time off for one week during the end of year holiday season. Health insurance coverage, with low employee premium contribution 401(k) with employer match Subsidized parking or transportation Monthly reimbursement on data package (internet/mobile) Compensation: This is an exempt, full-time position. Salary Range: $73,000 to $76,000 Anti-discrimination and inclusive environment Larta Institute is committed to providing an accessible, safe, respectful, and welcoming environment for all. Our Anti-Discrimination Policy aims to ensure that all members of the Larta Institute community - including our staff, startup founders, mentors, government officials, industry executives, investors, speakers, sponsors, donors, advisory board members, and other community members - are treated with dignity and respect in an open culture that is free from harassment, discrimination, violence, and other inappropriate conduct. Institute is committed to a diverse and committed workforce. Disclaimer This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at management’s discretion. Larta Institute is an equal employment opportunity employer. We consider individuals for employment or promotion according to their skills, abilities, and experience. We believe that it is an essential part of Larta’s overall commitment to attract, hire and develop a strong, talented, and diverse workforce. Larta Institute is committed to complying with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination as defined by both California and federal laws.

Keywords: Larta Institute, Newport Beach , Program Lead, Venture Fellows, Administration, Clerical , Los Angeles, California