EX Manager, Chicago

Job Description

Job Description

Endeavor is the leading global community of, by, and for High-Impact Entrepreneurs — those who dream bigger, scale faster, and pay it forward. Driven by our belief that High-Impact Entrepreneurs transform economies, Endeavor is on a mission to build thriving entrepreneurial ecosystems in emerging and underserved markets around the world. Innovative leaders like Reid Hoffman, Nick Beim, Bill Ford, Edgar Bronfman, Joanna Rees, and U2’s The Edge have joined the movement. Endeavor supports its entrepreneurs with access to an unrivaled global network, peer-to peer community and demand-driven services. The organization also works to elevate Endeavor Entrepreneurs as aspirational role models and provide avenues for them to mentor and inspire others to reimagine what is possible.

Headquartered in New York City, Endeavor currently operates in 45 growth markets throughout Europe, Latin America, North America, Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.

The Endeavor Great Lakes office was established in 2015 and works with Entrepreneurs and mentors throughout the Great Lakes region. The team currently works with 41 entrepreneurs leading 24 companies, such as Altruist, Banza, Cameo, Bartesian, The Lip Bar, Covertree, and Tovala. Learn more at

Job Title: Manager

Location : Chicago, IL (hybrid)

Works with: Endeavor Entrepreneurs, network members, and staff across the U.S. and worldwide.

Entrepreneur Experience Overview:

As a part of the Entrepreneur Experience (EX) team at Endeavor, you will collaborate with team members in the search, selection, and servicing of high-potential entrepreneurs in the Great Lakes region. The EX-team’s primary responsibilities include conducting research to build a pipeline of companies, conducting analysis on business metrics to identify the highest quality companies, running mentor meetings and selection panels, connecting founders to top-tier resources, developing and writing high-quality analytical profiles and reports on candidate companies, selecting companies into the network, and providing best-in-class services to Endeavor Entrepreneurs. EX staff work directly with some of the region’s most visible founders to build a relationship of trust, diagnose their needs, and identify key contacts in the global Endeavor network to mitigate their challenges.

Job Responsibilities:

1. Independently pursue the search and selection of entrepreneurs leading fast-growing, post-startup stage companies in the Great Lakes region:

• Identify the top companies and high-potential founders in the ecosystem through referrals, research, networking, attending, and speaking at key community events, and leveraging relationships with pipeline sourcing partners.
• Craft curated outreach and engagement strategies to pitch Endeavor to relevant candidate companies. Actively lead meetings and calls with candidate companies.
• Independently research and analyze the strength of the company, candidate, and leadership teams of candidate companies; conduct analysis of business models, growth/scale potential, financials/projections, leadership potential, competitive landscape, market size, etc.
• Independently complete detailed and high-quality reports and financial assessments for candidate companies.
• Prepare and train candidates for selection panels. Ensure candidates’ understanding of the selection process. Communicate candidate progress and potential issues.
• Assist and/or lead in the logistics and management of all local / virtual selection events as needed.
• Stay connected to relevant reports and media sources to monitor updates and developments within the Great Lakes entrepreneurial ecosystem to build the pipeline of candidate companies.
• Ensure the selection of the highest caliber companies into the Endeavor network.

2. Support Great Lakes portfolio entrepreneur servicing:

• Set yearly servicing plans for each entrepreneur to ensure the team is focusing on the top priorities for each company.
• Manage recurring touch points to ensure entrepreneurs’ needs are being met and they are aware of Endeavor’s latest offerings (events, programs, mentorship opportunities, etc.).
• Proactively diagnose entrepreneur needs and look to add value in every interaction.
• Network independently and extensively across Endeavor’s global network to increase awareness of resources, offerings, and lessons learned and enhance knowledge-sharing.
• Proactively think of ways to help entrepreneurs access capital, markets, mentorship, and leadership development. This can be done by using Endeavor’s regional and global network as well as thinking outside the box and tapping into your own network.
• Stay connected to relevant reports and media sources to monitor industry updates and macroeconomic changes to better service entrepreneurs.
• Actively manage the mentor network to ensure the Great Lakes office has a robust and high-quality roster of mentors.

3. Execute Chicago Expansion Strategy

• Become an ambassador for Endeavor, and network independently and extensively across the Great Lakes region to increase Endeavor’s brand visibility.
• Continue building relationships with new and existing partners in the Chicago and Great Lakes area.
• Organize and attend in-person events to further the Endeavor brand in the Chicago and Great Lakes area.

4.Other:

• Actively participate in relevant strategic initiatives to improve team operational efficiency and effectiveness (e.g., onboarding processes, or new service offering concepts).
• Represent the Great Lakes office at the U.S. and Global level.
• Propose/develop/lead local, regional, and global initiatives as directed by leadership.
• Assist in the management of all in-person and virtual events as needed.
• Be proactive in CRM management and data clean-up.
• Share and implement best practices across the network.
• Manage day-to-day office responsibilities.

Skills and abilities:

Endeavor employs professionals who are passionate about entrepreneurship and believe in Endeavor’s mission to support high-impact entrepreneurs to catalyze economic growth in the Great Lakes region. The organization provides a dynamic and entrepreneurial workplace for those who enjoy taking the initiative to lead projects to support entrepreneurs.

• 7+ years of relevant work experience in business, consulting, entrepreneurship, venture capital, or finance.

• Strong interest and passion for entrepreneurship and/or venture capital.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and enthusiasm for helping to cultivate the Great Lakes entrepreneurial ecosystem.
• Experience (academic or work) across multiple business disciplines, with an understanding of finance and the ability to identify and evaluate entrepreneurs, business models, companies, and projects.
• Comfortable working with a variety of people at all levels, strong sales capabilities, and willingness to be persistent and creative to solve problems and meet the needs of our entrepreneurs.
• Optimistic nature with a creative, self-motivated, and strong work ethic.
• Excellent communication skills (oral and written).
• Strong organizational abilities and attention to detail.
• Strong project management and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to attend multiple events during the week (sometimes late afternoon and night) and light travel once per quarter to Endeavor U.S. events or Global events.
• Familiarity with project management platforms such as Notion is a plus.
• Familiarity with Salesforce or other CRM platforms is a plus.

Who We Are

Endeavor is a values-driven organization. We are looking for someone, who embodies...

• Entrepreneur First: You are someone who passionately believes in the power of high-growth entrepreneurs to change the world for the better. You care about our mission.
• Go Big: You are someone whose curiosity drives them to dream (and execute!) big. You are a self-starter, who will roll up your sleeves to take our office to the next level.
• Network of Trust: You are someone who can naturally build trust with anybody, from CTOs of cutting-edge startups to CEOs of established ventures.
• Pay It Forward : You will be someone with a service-oriented attitude, who asks “What can I do?” before asking “What can I get?”
• One Endeavor : You will be someone who thrives on working with colleagues in over 45 different countries around the world. You are collaborative and a bridge builder.
• Always Agile : You will be someone who understands that it's the planning, not the plans, that matter and therefore isn't deterred by pivots or evolutions. You’re gritty, bright, and willing to go above and beyond to exceed expectations.

Benefits:

Salary is $80-90K with 15% bonus potential. Benefits including flexible vacation policy, remote and flexible working days, 401K match, health and dental benefits, global travel experiences, sabbatical/ immersion opportunities, and continuing learning options.

How to Apply:

Please send a resume, cover letter, and academic transcripts to [email protected]. Please ensure all application materials are submitted by June 23, 2025.