Preceptor

Watson Institute

7d•$1,300 - $3,000•Remote

About The Position

Preceptors are Watson Institute’s equivalent of experts in residence. They are carefully selected practitioners, leaders, and entrepreneurs who teach Watson Institute curriculum, draw on a wealth of personal experience, and individually advise Watson Institute Fellows (Fellowship participants). Preceptors are hired as contractors to facilitate a range of entrepreneurial topics, including but not limited to: Foundations, Data & Metrics, Funding, Go-to-Market, Pitch, and Team Management. The term Preceptor specifically refers to one who performs the dual role of practitioner and educator, and we hire Preceptors who have one foot in the impact space and one foot in entrepreneurial education. We intentionally identify Preceptors whose experience is rooted in practice, rather than theory. As a preceptor, your primary responsibility will be to lead a designated block within the program. Each block typically comprises two to four modules, focusing on specific themes or topics relevant to the overall program objectives. As a Preceptor, your responsibilities include preparing content, facilitating virtual sessions, providing mentorship and coaching, providing feedback on Fellow deliverables, attending program meetings, and participating in onboarding and training activities. While time commitments vary by Fellowship, candidates should expect a part-time commitment throughout the duration of their assigned Fellowship. Additional details regarding time commitments, scheduling, and responsibilities will be shared during the interview process and confirmed prior to hire.

Requirements

5+ years of relevant professional experience in entrepreneurship, startup development, venture support, social impact, business growth, or a related field.
Experience building, scaling, investing in, or supporting ventures. This may include experience as a founder, operator, investor, advisor, mentor, or ecosystem builder.
A passion for teaching, coaching, mentoring, and facilitating learning experiences that help entrepreneurs navigate challenges and unlock growth opportunities.
A belief in practical, experiential learning and the ability to create engaging environments where entrepreneurs learn through action, reflection, and peer collaboration.
Experience working with entrepreneurs and individuals from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and academic backgrounds, along with a demonstrated commitment to fostering inclusive learning environments.
A deep understanding of the founder journey, including the resilience, adaptability, and resourcefulness required to navigate uncertainty and adversity.
A growth mindset and commitment to continuous learning.
A strong commitment to ethical leadership, social responsibility, and helping the next generation of founders and changemakers succeed.
Detail-Oriented: Meticulous with excellent organizational skills, attuned to spotting mistakes or inconsistencies, takes pride in completing work accurately and on schedule, knack for project management, love for work plans and checklists.
Intentional: Working style about creating order and planning ahead, thinks systematically, excels at establishing elegant processes.
Results-Driven: Eagerness to grow and roll up sleeves to contribute, go-getter attitude, drive to solve problems, sees responsibilities through to the end.
High Integrity: Known for integrity, makes the right decision versus the easy decision, knows what information is sensitive and protects it, comfortable escalating issues and holding ground.
Systems-minded: Demonstrated experience in building and implementing systems, comfortable designing, testing, improving, and smoothly running systems and processes.

Nice To Haves

Ideal Preceptors stay current on industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies, bringing fresh insights and perspectives to their work.

Responsibilities

Prepare content
Facilitate virtual sessions
Provide mentorship and coaching
Provide feedback on Fellow deliverables
Attend program meetings
Participate in onboarding and training activities
Lead a designated block within the program, typically comprising two to four modules
Set aside 4 hours per module taught to advise Fellows as part of the Mentorship component
Challenge, encourage, and guide Fellows as they navigate the complexities of creating social change and solving significant problems in the world
Keep a record of mentorship sessions by submitting a brief form
Upload all materials in a timely manner to the learning management system (Google Classroom)