Co-op Development Specialist

At the Center for Community Wealth Building (CCWB), we are creating an inclusive economy that works for all. We’re a startup, worker-directed nonprofit that promotes inclusive economic development. We center the talents and capacities of impacted and vulnerable Metro Denver residents, entrepreneurs, and workers in everything we do, while leveraging the economic power of anchor institutions to create an economy that works for everyone.

As the Co-op Development Specialist, you will be a critical member of a visionary team working to develop more inclusive models of ownership with diverse workers, entrepreneurs, and residents.

More about CCWB
CCWB envisions self-determined communities free from racism, and rooted in economic democracy, dignity, and joy. Our work is driven by our commitment to the values of Economic Justice, Inclusivity, Inspiration and Transformation. We work to inspire a fundamental shift within individuals, communities, institutions, and systems to support a thriving local economy and a healthy and sustainable way of life.

Internally, we operate as a worker-directed nonprofit, which means that all employees help establish the policies, strategic direction, and financial priorities of our organization. In the day to day, we celebrate small wins, we create collectively, we practice empathy, and we embody love and respect. Our  team’s internal values include Innovation, Building for the Future, Human-Centered Growth, Results, and Accountability.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER ~ COMMITTED TO A DIVERSE WORKPLACE

CCWB is an aggressive advocate of affirmative action and welcomes applications from everyone, particularly from people of color; women; LGBTQ people; immigrants and refugees; people with disabilities; and people from low- or moderate-income backgrounds.

The Objectives You’re Here to Meet

• Increase the number of worker cooperatives in the Denver Metro by converting existing businesses to employee ownership
• Expand the capacity of Metro Denver workers, entrepreneurs, community members, and residents to participate in the development of worker cooperatives and the conversion of traditionally structured businesses to worker ownership
• Offer holistic support to Black, Latino/a , Indigenous, and Immigrant cooperative entrepreneurs throughout every stage of the co-op development and conversion process

How You’ll Meet Those Objectives 

Outreach & Technical Assistance (30%)

• Provide technical assistance to businesses converting to employee ownership, designing and facilitating training programs to help workers take control of their business and become worker-owners
• Provide technical assistance to emerging cooperatives, designing and facilitating training programs to help worker-owners develop their businesses
• Support recruitment of businesses ripe for conversion to employee ownership, conducting outreach (one-on-one meetings, emails, phone calls, flyering, social media, and Zoom meetings) to business owners, founders, and other worker-owner candidates to expand cooperative economic thinking and practice
• Develop strong working relationships with and facilitate collaboration between stakeholders in government, nonprofits, place-based organizations, public policy, economic development, community organizing, and the business community, including associations and chambers of commerce, to expand opportunities for worker cooperative education, including education about converting existing businesses to worker-ownership

Cooperative Training (35%)

• Build cooperative and employee ownership awareness through popular education and community training
• Create and implement a follow-up plan for participants and community partners after each educational event
• Co-facilitate Co-op 101, 201, and 301 training(s), especially those requested by businesses interested in converting to employee ownership. Modify existing curricula, create new materials as needed, and deliver them to entrepreneurs, business owners, community partners, and the larger business community
• Support the planning and implementation of a worker co-op conversion strategy to convert existing business to worker ownership in anticipation of strategy launch in early 2024
• Collaborate alongside founders of worker co-op start-ups and conversions to create and conduct feasibility studies, business plans, membership models, market research, capital raising plans, and member recruitment plans

Program Support (15%)

• Optimize and continually improve CCWB’s co-op development process and strategic approach so that it achieves CCWB’s mission and embodies CCWB’s values
• Support employee ownership outreach efforts, contacting businesses to educate business owners about the benefits of employee ownership
• Contribute to the planning and execution of outreach events that support overall program goals

Organizational Support (10%)

• Maintain appropriate organizational data and record-keeping systems, take the lead on developing the employee ownership record-keeping system
• Identify operational issues and facilitate solutions
• Support movement-building campaigns, including by making presentations on community wealth building and solidarity economy principles

Other Duties as Assigned (10%)

Required Qualifications

• 2+ years of work experience in small business or as a small business technical assistance provider OR a 4-year degree in business administration or a related field
• Ability to facilitate groups and host one-to-ones with people from low income and diverse backgrounds
• Outreach experience in communities of color, performing grassroots community organizing or labor organizing for social change
• Strong communication and writing skills
• Willingness to work occasional irregular hours, including nights/weekends
• Basic computer and data entry skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Gmail, and Google Suite, and willingness to learn new platforms
• Car and valid driver’s license (mileage reimbursed)

Desired Qualifications

• Bilingual Spanish/English
• Empathy and strong interpersonal skills
• Understanding of movement-building principles and practices
• Experience and familiarity with cooperative businesses and employee ownership models
• Project management experience

Reports To: Co-op Development Director

Pay Rate: $50,000-55,000 Annually
Status: Full-Time Exempt Position

Location: Metro Denver Area
Work Environment: Hybrid of work from home and office, must be based in the Metro Denver area.
Priority Deadline: September 8, 2023

The full job description can be found here.