Security Resiliency Associate

Associate, Security & Resiliency
MassChallenge
Location: Dallas-Fort Worth, TX (hybrid) | Reports to: Director, Security & Resiliency | Compensation: $55,000 to $65,000

About MassChallenge
MassChallenge is the global network for innovators who are working to solve massive challenges in the areas of Healthcare and Life Sciences, FinTech, Security & Resiliency, and Food Sustainability/Climate. We connect startups, experts, corporations, and communities to grow and transform businesses and economies. Our mission is to equip bold entrepreneurs to disrupt the status quo and create meaningful change. Our mission is BIG, and thus we are a team that gives 100% every day. Our values ensure that we stay true to our mission and our core beliefs.

Why You Should Join Us
MassChallenge was just named the #2 accelerator in the U.S. and #1 in Massachusetts by TIME and Statista, with 85% of the ranking driven by feedback from the founders we serve. The ranking also gives us a new target. We are building on that recognition, growing what works, and raising our ambitions for what MassChallenge can do next. If you are looking for a place where there is real energy behind the work and plenty left to build, we want to talk to you.

About the Security & Resiliency Work and Portfolio
MassChallenge’s Security & Resiliency (S&R) portfolio supports dual-use startups building technologies that strengthen national security, defense, and the resilience of critical systems. The portfolio connects founders with government, defense, corporate, investor, and research partners, and includes:

• NATO DIANA: MassChallenge operates a U.S.-based accelerator site for NATO’s Defense Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic, delivering the DIANA curriculum to cohorts of allied dual-use startups.
• Air Force Labs: Delivered in partnership with Hanscom Air Force Base, Air Force Labs supports AFWERX Phase I SBIR awardees with high relevance to Air Force Program Executive Offices through their Phase I period of performance, increasing their likelihood of transitioning to Phase II.
• Traction Security & Resiliency: A MassChallenge Traction program for growth-stage S&R startups, with programming that spans Boston and Dallas, including a Dallas Midpoint at Pegasus Park.
• Additional dual-use programs, events, and partner engagements across the defense and security innovation ecosystem.

MassChallenge is excited to hire an Associate, Security & Resiliency, based in Dallas-Fort Worth, to support this portfolio. If you have the skills we are seeking, we encourage you to apply.

Position Summary
The Associate, Security & Resiliency, will be responsible for the successful day-to-day support of MassChallenge’s Security & Resiliency portfolio, including NATO DIANA, Air Force Labs, Traction Security & Resiliency, and additional dual-use programs.

The selected candidate will report to the Director, Security & Resiliency, and work alongside the S&R program team and our government and defense partners to ensure the curriculum is successfully executed and each cohort of startups is well supported. The Associate will serve as a primary point of contact for participating startups, managing communications, logistics, and access to tools and resources. This individual will also support MassChallenge’s broader efforts in dual-use innovation.

Location
The Associate will be based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and is expected to work from MassChallenge’s Dallas-Fort Worth area workspace as required to successfully deliver the portfolio. Occasional after-hours work will be necessary to support the execution of programs and other security-focused events. Travel is estimated at 10%, including travel to Boston and other program sites, with occasional international travel.

What You’ll Do

Program Execution

• Support execution of curriculum across S&R programs, including scheduling of modules, speaker and session logistics, and coordination with partners such as NATO DIANA and the U.S. Air Force
• Provide participating startups with access to curriculum tools and resources to promote strong participation and successful execution of the program
• Coordinate in-person and virtual events, including kickoffs, midpoints, office hours, and finales, from run-of-show to day-of execution
• Track startup engagement, milestones, and feedback, and support the collection of data for partner reporting
• Maintain program systems, calendars, and communications to keep multiple concurrent programs on schedule

Community Development

• Support the recruitment and onboarding of experts, evaluators, mentors, and speakers alongside the Director and the Network team
• Activate the Dallas-Fort Worth and broader U.S. dual-use community by organizing engagement opportunities for cohort startups
• Attend, support, and represent MassChallenge at local ecosystem events in Dallas-Fort Worth and elsewhere as needed by the portfolio

Startup Support

• Advocate for cohort startups within MassChallenge and with program partners
• Identify networks, resources, and opportunities to promote the growth and scale of cohort startups
• Empathize with entrepreneurs, understanding the founder journey, recognizing their needs, and championing their successes

What You Bring
Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree
• Two or more years of experience in project/program management, event coordination, or a related field
• Experience in accelerator operations, recruitment, or supporting startups is a plus
• Experience with or strong interest in the U.S. defense ecosystem and acquisition practices
• Track record of strong communication skills, project execution, and attention to detail

Who You Are

• You have a specific skill set in project support or program coordination
• You have exceptional time management skills, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• You are highly organized and can keep multiple programs, stakeholders, and deadlines moving at once
• You make thoughtful decisions that consider a variety of stakeholder needs, team capacity, and organizational goals
• You are energetic, diplomatic, and adaptable in complex and changing environments
• You have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Previous accelerator experience and knowledge of the dual-use innovation ecosystem are ideal but not required

Who We Are
At MassChallenge, we:

• Help entrepreneurs build the next generation of transformational businesses by connecting them with the resources, partnerships, and communities that help them launch, grow, and scale their startups
• Help our partners build, grow, and evolve their corporate innovation practices
• Leverage the power of entrepreneurship to strengthen global innovation ecosystems

Our Core Values

• Founder Mindset: Optimism, Tenacity, Love the Problem
• Connect and Collaborate: Empathy, Inclusion, Fun, Build Community, Connect the Dots
• Progress over Perfection: Build on Experience, Fail Fast, Demonstrate Traction

Compensation

• MassChallenge offers competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a supportive working environment
• Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and commensurate with skills and experience
• For this position, the base salary range is $55,000 to $65,000 depending on skill set and experience
• Internal equity considerations and peer salaries will be reviewed before a final offer is made

Equal Opportunity Employer
MassChallenge is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We seek individuals from a broad variety of backgrounds with varying levels of experience who have a desire to do meaningful work. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote regardless of race, color, gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.