Reports to: Executive Leadership
Location: Los Angeles (HQ in Downtown LA)
Who is Larta Institute?
Larta Institute is a non-profit organization accelerating innovation and entrepreneurship.
Our mission is to foster science and technology innovation for a sustainable planet.
Our planet is experiencing significant global problems created by human behavior and policies affecting the environment, food,
education, energy, and healthcare systems. New science and technology play a critical role in transforming how we sustainably
feed, fuel, and heal the world.
Since its founding in Los Angeles in 1993, Larta has focused on bringing into use technologies funded by government, corporations and communities, across a “sustainability agenda”. At the federal level, Larta has become a trusted partner under contract with several agencies that span sustainability, including across food and agriculture (with USDA), biosciences and healthcare (with NIH), marine and coastal environments (with NOAA) and energy and cleantech (with DOE and NSF). Its model is a network-centric approach, involving experts, entrepreneurs, researchers, investors and governments, resulting in tangible products and services that contribute to resilience in a time of uncertainty and pessimism. Larta was the convener of a global food and agriculture forum, the Ag Innovation Showcase, which it developed in 2008 profiling solutions to issues in our food system.
Regionally, Larta has developed a community labs approach to address gaps in the health and wellbeing of Angelenos (Heal.LA)
and the resilience of communities to address the impacts of climate change (Venture Fellows). Larta’s pipeline spans over 4,500
entrepreneurs, who have raised over $6.5 billion in external funding.
What is the role?
Larta Institute is seeking a Community Liaison to facilitate communication, collaboration, and understanding between Larta and the communities we serve, including underserved communities in our region and, given our national pipeline, elsewhere. One lens we use is adoption and extension of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). Larta’s programs like Venture Fellows and Heal.LA coupled with our investment and advisory group, Larta Ventures, together work to develop and support solutions that address pressing global challenges while also promoting sustainable business practices.
The Community Liaison will play a vital role in a) researching and assessing community needs spanning health and climate change and in b) engaging with identified communities to bring into use and promote innovations to help address key challenges for individuals and groups in those communities.
Qualifications and Responsibilities
The Community Liaison will be responsible for building and managing relationships with community partners, engaging with the communities to understand their needs, and collect data and trends that will align with Larta’s core principles of identifying,
nurturing, and scaling innovations that meet the triple bottom line of people, planet, and prosperity. Larta will also launch new
impact-centric initiatives, and this position requires a focus on and contribution to the creation of impact metrics aligned with our work.
This role will require creativity, adaptability, steadfastness, and innovation to manage rapid evolution and changes. This role reports to the Head of Programs and Evaluation.
Key Responsibilities:
- Relationship Management:
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with underserved communities, startups aligned with Larta’s impact goals, investors, industry leaders, universities, and other impact organizations.
- Serve as the point of contact for community partners, fostering ongoing engagement and collaboration.
- Actively network and attend industry and community events to enhance Larta’s own work and to expand Larta’s
network and promote its activities.
- Program Promotion:
- Implement strategies to promote targeted Larta programs, initiatives, and services to the community.
- Consult and work with the marketing team to ensure consistent and targeted messaging across various
channels.
- Community Engagement:
- Organize and facilitate events, workshops, and networking opportunities that bring together underserved communities, startups, investors, mentors, academia and industry experts, to listen, learn, and create further approaches to the needs of these communities in those areas where we have programmatic and interest in impact.
- Foster a supportive and collaborative community culture within the program, encouraging knowledge sharing,
mentorship, and peer-to-peer connections. - Identify and pursue opportunities for partnership and collaboration with local organizations and community
stakeholders.
- Support and Mentorship:
- Provide guidance and support to startups within the accelerator, offering resources, connections, and mentorship to help them navigate challenges and accelerate their growth.
- Collaborate with the accelerator team to identify and address the specific needs and requirements of the
startups in the program including identifying experts and mentors for the start-ups. - Serve as an advocate for the startups, promoting their achievements and success stories within the community.
- Support the program team for expert workshops and topics identification.
- Support the program team for selective pilots’ development and deployment.
- Research, Reporting and Analysis:
- Track and analyze relevant industry trends, market insights, and community engagement metrics to inform
- decision-making and program improvement.
- Research needs of underserved communities.
- Prepare regular reports and updates on community engagement activities, partnership development, and the
impact of Larta on the ecosystem. - Provide feedback and recommendations for program enhancement based on community feedback and
observed industry developments. - Gather data for program impact measurement and management.
What skills and experience does Larta require?
Bachelor’s degree; Master’s preferred (in i.e., Communications, Public Health, Social Work, Psychology, Community
Development, Public Administration).
- Experience and/or familiarity with the non-profit sector and mission-related work.
- Passion for innovation to meet the needs of underserved communities and a genuine interest in supporting and promoting
startups. - Prior experience in community engagement, partnership development, or a related role in a social impact organization.
- Knowledge of the L.A social entrepreneurship ecosystem, including, preferably startups, investors, impact organizations,
universities, and industry trends. - Fluent in English and Spanish.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport and collaborate with diverse
stakeholders. - Strong networking abilities and a proven track record of successfully engaging and mobilizing a community.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to use and present data for decision-making.
- Cultural sensitivity to the diverse backgrounds and perspectives within the community, respecting cultural norms,
traditions, and values while fostering inclusivity.
Availability: Immediate.
Location: Hybrid, part-time office attendance in Los Angeles, CA is essential.
What we offer!
Larta Institute offers a competitive and attractive compensation and benefits package, as follows:
- Full-time employment within a mission-driven, non-profit organization
- An open, diverse and inclusive culture, with a commitment to job stability and personal growth
- Opportunities dedicated to personal and professional development
- Quarterly and annual performance bonus potential
- Paid vacation, holiday, and sick time
- Paid time off for one week during the end of year holiday season.
- Health insurance coverage, with low employee premium contribution
- 401(k) with employer match
- Subsidized parking or transportation
- Monthly reimbursement on data package (internet/mobile)
Compensation: This is an exempt, full-time position.
Salary Range: $ 67,000 – $75,000
How to Apply
Complete an application, including providing a resume and cover letter here
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Larta Institute is committed to providing an accessible, safe, respectful, and welcoming environment for all. Our Anti-Discrimination Policy aims to ensure that all members of the Larta Institute community – including our staff, startup founders, mentors, government officials, industry executives, investors, speakers, sponsors, donors, advisory board members, and other community members – are treated with dignity and respect in an open culture that is free from harassment, discrimination, violence, and other inappropriate conduct.
Larta Institute is committed to diversity, equitable access, and inclusion.
Disclaimer
This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a
comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at management’s discretion.
Larta Institute is an equal employment opportunity employer. We consider individuals for employment or promotion according to
their skills, abilities, and experience. We believe that it is an essential part of Larta’s overall commitment to attract, hire and develop a strong, talented, and diverse workforce. Larta Institute is committed to complying with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination as defined by both California and federal laws.
