Associate Manager- Accelerators

Pay is based on several factors which vary based on position. These include labor markets and in some instances may include education, work experience and certifications. In addition to your pay, Target cares about and invests in you as a team member, so that you can take care of yourself and your family. Target offers eligible team members and their dependents comprehensive health benefits and programs, which may include medical, vision, dental, life insurance and more, to help you and your family take care of your whole selves. Other benefits for eligible team members include 401(k), employee discount, short term disability, long term disability, paid sick leave, paid national holidays, and paid vacation. Find competitive benefits from financial and education to well-being and beyond at https://corporate.target.com/careers/benefits.

Target is an iconic brand, a Fortune 50 company and one of America’s leading retailers. Working at Target means helping all families discover the joy of everyday life. We bring that vision to life through our values and culture. Learn more about Target here.

A role in Accelerators means joining an outstanding team of genuine, diverse and driven people dedicated to helping emerging consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands and founders succeed in mass retail. Our Takeoff experience is a 12-week program designed specifically for emerging brands launching their products at Target for the first time. Through education, mentorship and strategic support focused on retail readiness, operational excellence and launch preparation, we help founders build the capabilities needed to succeed at Target and beyond.

About the Role:

As an Associate Manager - Accelerators, you will play a key role in bringing Target Accelerator experiences to life across the full Takeoff program lifecycle. You will own and support program operations, brand sourcing and engagement, educational programming, events, systems and business development activities while partnering closely with Accelerator leadership, Merchandising teams and internal and external stakeholders.

This is a highly dynamic role on a lean team where priorities evolve quickly. You will balance planned program work with emerging opportunities, special projects and business needs - requiring strong judgment, organization, adaptability and the ability to independently drive work forward. From coordinating complex program experiences and managing brand-facing processes to supporting industry events and unexpected business needs, no two weeks will necessarily look the same.

Core Responsibilities

• Program Operations & Execution: Manage day-to-day operations across Accelerator programs, translating priorities into actionable plans, timelines and execution aligned with Merchandising transition calendars and category priorities.
• Program Experiences & Events: Coordinate in-person and virtual programming, including event logistics, run-of-show, technical support, speaker and mentor coordination, communications, curriculum materials, session recordings and participant experiences.
• Brand Sourcing & Business Development: Identify and engage emerging CPG brands through industry events, founder networks and other sourcing activities. Represent Target Accelerators at internal and external events to build relationships, increase awareness and identify opportunities aligned with Target's Merchandising priorities.
• Brand Proposals & Merchandising Engagement: Manage the Accelerator brand proposal process, including supplier intake reviews, the Brands to Watch newsletter, transition proposals and line-review webinars, coordinating brand feedback in partnership with Merchandising and Accelerator leadership.
• Stakeholder & Participant Engagement: Build and maintain relationships with participating brands, speakers, SMEs, mentors and internal and external partners. Coordinate communications, introductions, feedback and follow-ups to ensure alignment across stakeholders and deliver a positive participant experience.
• Program Resources & Team Operations: Develop and maintain operational playbooks, program documentation and shared resources while supporting team operations, including inbox management, budgeting, vendor setup, payments and administrative processes.
• Special Projects & Emerging Priorities: Support evolving business needs and special projects, including startup ecosystem research, program audits, event planning and other initiatives. Demonstrate flexibility and independent judgment in a dynamic, lean team environment, including travel and occasional evening or weekend hours as needed.

About You:

• Four-year degree or equivalent experience.
• Highly organized, process- and detail-oriented, with experience in event planning, logistics and managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong facilitation, content creation, written, verbal and presentation skills, with the ability to develop engaging materials and deliver diverse and inclusive experiences for internal and external audiences.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); Smartsheet experience is a plus.
• Creative problem solver who exercises sound judgment, navigates ambiguity and adapts effectively to changing priorities and evolving business needs.
• Self-motivated and proactive, with the ability to independently drive work forward while balancing competing priorities in a lean, dynamic team environment.
• Ability to build trusted relationships, establish rapport and collaborate effectively across a large, complex enterprise and with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for innovation, curiosity about emerging businesses and a collaborative, empathetic approach to teamwork.
• Experience in merchandising (buying) preferred.

This position will operate as a Hybrid/Flex for Your Day work arrangement based on Target’s needs. A Hybrid/Flex for Your Day work arrangement means the team member’s core role will need to be performedboth onsite at the Target HQ MN location the role is assigned to and virtually,depending upon what your role, team and tasks require for that day. Work duties cannot be performed outside of the country of the primary work location, unless otherwise prescribed by Target.

Benefits Eligibility

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

In compliance with state and federal laws, Target will make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please reach out to candidate.accommodations@HRHelp.Target.com.Non-accommodation-relatedrequests, such as application follow-ups or technical issues, will not be addressed through this channel.