Background:

Tulsa Innovation Labs LLC (TIL) is a tech-led economic development organization headquartered in Tulsa, OK pioneered by the George Kaiser Family Foundation. The organization is responsible for catalyzing Tulsa’s leadership in advanced industries such as energy tech, advanced air mobility, virtual health, and cyber. We believe that by building a world-class tech hub in America’s heartland, we unlock opportunity for all.

The organization was founded in January 2020 and has already experienced significant momentum including its $38.2M Build Back Better Regional Challenge win and EDA Tech Hubs Designation. Now, TIL is emerging from startup-phase and has established itself as a system hub and community leader, requiring additional emphasis on scaling-up operations and organizational capacity.

Rose Rock Bridge is a non-profit venture studio with a focus to recruit and support energy technology companies and develop energy innovation in Tulsa, OK. Rose Rock Bridge accelerates commercialization for select energy tech startups by providing office space, entrepreneurial training, non-dilutive capital, and mentorship. Rose Rock Bridge is supported by strategic partners across Oklahoma and beyond, including George Kaiser Family Foundation, Williams, Devon Energy, Helmerich & Payne and ONEOK. 

Position Summary:

The Manager of Rose Rock Bridge drives day-to-day execution of the initiative, ensuring strategic goals are met and operations run smoothly. This role is responsible for sourcing high-potential energy-tech startups, structuring pilots with leading energy partners, and creating tangible value for founders, corporates, and the broader Tulsa innovation ecosystem. By orchestrating partnerships among cohort participants, energy partners, and research institutions, this role will translate breakthrough technologies into real-world deployments. Success in this role calls for deep knowledge of energy-technology commercialization, hands-on project management, and experience working with early-stage, venture-backed companies.

Responsibilities / Essential Job Function:

The following functions represent most of the duties performed by the position. The description is not meant to be all-inclusive or prevent other duties from being assigned when necessary: 

• Manage and expand relationships with startups, corporate energy partners, universities, industry leaders, and resource providers to sustain a high-quality deal flow of startups
• Scout, qualify, and track these energy-tech startups; keep a live pipeline dashboard feeding on going diligence and potential cohort participants.
• Lead team members in the performance of due diligence and market analysis for prospective startup participants in Rose Rock Bridge and their technologies to assess commercial viability of their innovations as it relates to the innovation priorities of our energy partners.
• Design and deliver a structured, cohort-based accelerator program based in Tulsa with workshops, mentor engagement, and milestone tracking culminating in a capstone showcase to our energy partners.
• Guide selected startups from selection through a live pilot with one of our energy partners, rapidly understanding the startups corporate fit to be translate into enterprise-grade execution.
• Recruit and activate a network of corporate executives and technical SMEs to assist the cohort participants as mentors/coaches where necessary. 
• Analyze market, industry, and program data and best practices to craft actionable recommendations for Rose Rock Bridge’s evolution and sustainability based on qualitative and quantitative data. 
• Oversee year-round planning, operations, administration, and scheduling for the initiative.
• Work collaboratively with stakeholder relationship managers and resource leaders, especially the Director of Capital and Entrepreneurship, to secure resources, align objectives, and deliver on annual targets.
• Provide monthly internal updates, publish case studies, and speak at industry events to elevate Rose Rock Bridge and TIL’s national profile.
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience:

• Minimum 5 years relevant work experience in corporate development/M&A, or accelerator leadership with a focus on entrepreneurial support, energy/industrial operations, and project management.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in securing funding for startup and scaleup enterprises and initiatives
• Demonstrated experience in providing and securing support for entrepreneurial initiatives
• Prior success building and developing a team
• Strong analytical and project management skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects and collaborate with team members
• Experience researching and analyzing innovation ecosystems and emerging tech fields
• Experience structuring paid pilots in regulated industrial environments
• Prior effective results designing and managing complex projects involving cross-sector stakeholders
• Strong interest in discourse around energy technology, startups, entrepreneurship, corporate innovation, and venture capital
• Existing network of corporates, startups, and venture funds
• Proven record of success in initiative development, startup support, and stakeholder management

Competencies, Skills & Abilities:

To be successful in this role, you must have excellent communication, organizational and project management skills. You must also be able to actively listen, engage and connect with a diverse group of people, fostering meaningful relationships with our partners. Our team must be nimble and adaptable to the growing and changing needs of our organization and stakeholder groups, creating solutions and improving processes to achieve TIL goals. 

• Integrity – honesty and directness in all things, especially regarding the true status of the initiative and when in need of help from teammates and stakeholders.
• Intentionality – the desire to act now, and not later, on tasks and initiatives. Exhibit a hunger for success and results.
• Interest – an attitude of constant learning, curiosity, and humility with respect to what has yet to be understood.
• Interconnectedness – respect and appreciation for teammates and stakeholders: their backgrounds, skills, history, challenges, fears, and expectations that influence how approach shared tasks and relationships. 
• Organized – Demonstrated ability to manage complex, sometimes conflicting, objectives and tasks.
• Decisive – Demonstrated ability to act even with incomplete information.
• Collaborative – Demonstrated ability to convene, facilitate, and develop shared understanding.
• Intelligent – Demonstrated ability to understand quickly and exhibit good judgement.
• Communicative – Demonstrated ability to listen, understand, and share information with others.
• Quantitative and qualitative research, analytical skills, and ability look at challenges strategically to formulate creative solutions
• Project management skills, including demonstrated ability to lead complex projects against narrow timelines and various constraints
• Prioritize projects among competing needs
• Confidence in managing multiple tasks with little supervision
• Partnership-building skills, including ability to engage and manage important stakeholders in a professional manner and build diverse coalitions

Physical Requirements:

• Communicate: Frequent phone, in-person, and messaging communication via various platforms. Must be able to exchange information effectively and accurately in all elements of verbal and written communication.
• Operate: Constant operation of computer, phones, and other office productivity tools.
• Willingness and ability to travel between initiative and related stakeholder locations, and service provider/vendor offices as required.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 25lbs., for lifting supplies and materials, as needed.
• Position continually requires the ability to talk and hear both in person and over the phone, visual acuity; ability to operate equipment, read, and use a keyboard.

Hours & Location:

• This position is in Tulsa, Oklahoma, centered on office spaces provided by TIL.
• Typical work hours are Monday – Friday from 8:00 to 5:00, with flexibility required for various events, meetings, and relevant business needs.
• Travel regionally, nationally, and internationally required up to 25% of the time.
• Need regular access to a vehicle that can be used for in state travel.
• Must maintain a valid passport.
• Required to maintain a valid driver’s license and proof of liability and property damage insurance on vehicle.

About our Benefits:

As part of our overall compensation package, we offer work/life flexibility, comprehensive health benefits, paid time off, and a generous retirement contributions designed to support you and your family.

Details:

• 100% employer paid medical, dental, and long-term disability for full-time employees only; option to add vision and dependents
• 401K employee and employer contributions
• Paid time off to support you while you are out of the office
• Paid holidays so our employees can spend time with those they care about
• Employer paid AD&D life insurance, with employee options to add supplemental life insurance