Temporary Associate, Program

Blue Ridge Labs (BRL) is a venture studio and innovation lab that launches and invests in new technology ventures focused on fighting poverty in NYC and beyond. Currently, BRL runs three programs aligned with each of these areas: the Fellowship, Catalyst, and the Follow-On Fund. The Fellowship is our venture studio program that takes innovators through a five-month co-creation process with disenfranchised New Yorkers to launch new start-ups tackling issues of poverty. Catalyst is a five-month accelerator providing funding, connections, and insight for early-stage tech innovators to move from initial product to scale. The Follow-On Fund invests in alumni demonstrating readiness to scale. At the heart of our programs is the Design Insight Group (DIG), a community of over 5,000 low-income New Yorkers. They've personally faced poverty and now work alongside program participants to develop solutions to the issues they've experienced firsthand.

We are looking for an Operations Associate to provide day-to-day operational and administrative support for Blue Ridge Labs' programs. This role is essential to ensuring the smooth delivery of our Fellowship and Catalyst programs and may provide occasional support for select Design Insight Group (DIG) activities.

The Operations Associate will work closely with program leads to coordinate logistics, maintain program calendars, support participant communications, and ensure that program activities run seamlessly. Additionally, this role may provide as-needed administrative support to the DIG community.

This position initially reports to the Director for Blue Ridge Labs and works closely with the entire BRL team. Our team currently works out of Robin Hood's Brooklyn office at 150 Court Street, which also serves as a lab for a community of entrepreneurs who are passionate about systemic change and fighting poverty. (We will be moving to a Manhattan location in 2027.)

Maintain program calendars and coordinate scheduling for Fellowship and Catalyst activities, sessions, and events.

Assist with event logistics including venue setup, materials preparation, catering coordination, and attendee communications.

Create and administer surveys to gather participant feedback throughout the program cycle.

Support participant onboarding, including preparation of materials and coordination of orientation activities.

Assist program leads with administrative tasks, documentation, and communications as needed.

Help coordinate guest speakers, mentors, and subject matter experts for program sessions.

Provide general operational support at the guidance of the Director and program leads.

Support the coordination of user research sessions including one-on-one interviews, focus groups, product testing, and surveys.

Assist with scheduling and logistics for co-design sessions between DIG members and Fellows or Catalyst founders.

Support with onboarding partners to DIG app: updating relevant training materials and providing technical assistance on an as-needed basis.

Assist with tracking and monitoring new DIG member registrations and onboarding.

Support the processing of payments to DIG participants through the DIG App.

Help maintain accurate member data and records in program systems.

Robin Hood is committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and representation in all aspects of its work. As New York City’s largest poverty-fighting organization, Robin Hood believes that building a diverse team is fundamental to its ability to effectively serve and strengthen organizations serving the most vulnerable communities in the city, and to influence the policies that affect them.

Robin Hood believes in the potential that diversity creates – deep and responsive relationships with its community partners; the ability to solve complex problems efficiently and effectively; and, most importantly, the ability of its diverse staff to work to its full capacity.

Robin Hood builds diversity, inclusion, and equity practices into all aspects of its work. Its practices, values, traditions, and beliefs are embedded in the inclusive culture that it creates. Operationally, its formal and informal structures support a work environment that advances the professional development of staff at all levels, allows for innovation, and grounds its work as poverty fighters.

Robin Hood seeks to attract and retain staff that reflects the communities that it serves and is enhanced by its efforts at meaningful inclusion. It ensures that team members are empowered to make decisions, offer actionable feedback, and share credit for team success. Further, Robin Hood seeks to develop talent professionally and has created an intentional focus on mentorship and sponsorship, particularly of junior staff. Its goal is to encourage long term talent retention and engagement, while fostering a culture of innovation.

As an organization committed to economic mobility, our work is grounded in the following Guiding Principles :

Diversity, equity, and inclusion

Proximity and humanity

Risk-taking and innovation

Our professional community reflects myriad demographic characteristics, perspectives, and backgrounds, which includes various identities that reflect diversity in gender identity and expression, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, ability, and socioeconomic status. Our colleagues have access to opportunity and advancement, as we promote fair and equitable treatment and have encouraged participation by underrepresented groups. As a team, we promote a sense of belonging, high levels of engagement, and shared respect.

Robin Hood puts people first. Always.

Robin Hood is unafraid to take action and create solutions.

Robin Hood is data driven and heart led.

Robin Hood works the coat check.

Please visit our website to complete our online application.

Robin Hood is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants from diverse backgrounds and identities are encouraged to apply.