Site Director - Tech Accelerator

Title: Site Director - Tech AcceleratorLocation: Decatur, Alabama (primary). Some travel expected (in-state).Type: Full-timeReports to: Executive DirectorRole SummaryWe’re seeking a Site Director to lead and scale an Alabama-based AI accelerator. This person will be accountable for running the accelerator day-to-day, designing and executing the cohort-based program, and driving company recruitment—including convincing high-potential out-of-state founders that Alabama is the right place to build.In parallel, the Site Director will design and oversee an AI “toolkit” (agents, third-party services, playbooks, and resources) that enables current Alabama residents to more easily start and grow AI-powered businesses. Over time, the accelerator’s value proposition will include connections to capital, and the Site Director will help develop and operationalize that pathway.

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Key Responsibilities1) Accelerator Leadership & OperationsOwn the end-to-end execution of the accelerator: calendar, curriculum, budget, founder experience, mentorship scheduling, and program logistics.Design and continuously refine the program model (e.g., cohort structure, workshop sequence, office hours, founder deliverables, demo day format).Build operating rhythms and metrics: funnel tracking, cohort health, progress checkpoints, and post-program outcomes.Coordinate partners, mentors, and service providers to ensure a high-quality founder experience.
2) Founder Sourcing, Recruitment & Cohort FormationIdentify and recruit promising early-stage AI companies both in Alabama and nationally.Build and manage a consistent recruitment pipeline (sourcing, outreach, screening, selection, and close).“Sell Alabama” to out-of-state founders, clearly articulating the advantages (talent, cost structure, market access, incentives, community, etc.).Develop relationships with founder communities, accelerators, universities, and AI ecosystems to drive sustained top-of-funnel.
3) AI Toolkit Strategy (for Alabama Builders)Design and oversee an AI toolkit that makes it easier for Alabama residents to build businesses (examples: agent templates, approved tool stack, vendor discounts, training modules, reference architectures, compliance/security guidance).Evaluate and manage third-party services (selection, onboarding, pricing, renewal, and usage measurement).Ensure the toolkit remains practical, founder-friendly, and aligned with evolving AI capabilities.
4) Ecosystem & Capital Connectivity (Evolving Scope)Build relationships with angels, seed funds, accelerators, and venture partners to create clear pathways to capital.Help founders become “fundable” through investor-ready storytelling, metrics, and pitch readiness.Support demo days, investor showcases, and 1:1 investor introductions (as the program matures).
Qualifications (Required)Demonstrated ability to run programs and operations with high attention to detail and consistent execution.Strong network and credibility with early-stage AI founders (or the ability to quickly build it).Proven experience recruiting, persuading, and closing participants into a high-commitment program.Working understanding of the AI product landscape (LLMs, agents, modern tooling, and how early-stage teams build and ship).Excellent communication skills—especially in founder-facing, partner-facing, and ecosystem-building settings.
Preferred Background (Nice to Have)Experience in economic development, entrepreneurship ecosystems, or startup community-building.Experience at an accelerator/incubator (especially as a #2 operator or program lead).Exposure to venture capital workflows, founder fundraising, or investor relations.Familiarity with Alabama’s business community, universities, incentives, and regional stakeholders.
What Success Looks Like (First 12–18 Months)A consistently strong pipeline of in-state and out-of-state AI startups.High-quality cohorts that complete the program with measurable progress (product, revenue, pilots, hires, or fundraising readiness).A functioning, adopted AI toolkit used by Alabama residents to build and launch. xzbcwsv Early traction on capital connectivity: repeatable investor engagement and founder fundraising support.
Core Traits We’re Looking ForBuilder mindset (creates systems, not just events)Strong operator (details + execution)Founder empathy (high trust, high standards)Networked and proactive (doesn’t wait for inbound)Mission-aligned (excited to make Alabama a destination for AI builders)