Program Lead (Contractor)

Watson Institute

9d•$27,500•Remote

About The Position

Watson Institute powers transformative Fellowships in partnership with leading corporations and foundations to support highly promising entrepreneurs and leaders from underserved backgrounds. The Fellowships provide proven entrepreneurship and leadership skills training, committed mentorship, community development stipends, long-term Alumni support, and access to a global community of peers, mentors, and opportunities. In partnership with Google, JPMorganChase Foundation, Walmart.org, Wells Fargo, Ford Philanthropy, SAP, Truist Foundation, BMO, Comcast, Western Union, and several private foundations, Watson Institute’s programs will reach over 2,400 rising leaders this year. Alumni of Watson Institute’s Fellowships have raised over $190 million, created over 2,300 paid jobs, and impacted over 11 million people around the world through initiatives they have helped lead. 93% of Watson Institute alums are employed, continuing their education, or building a venture. 85% of Watson Institute Alumni use a skill they learned while in a Watson Institute-powered program up to 12 years later. Watson Institute’s Alumni have been selected to Y Combinator, the Echoing Green Fellowship, and 11 have been named to Forbes’ 30 under 30 lists. Alums continue their education at Harvard University, New York University, and Princeton University, among others. The primary mission of the Program Lead is to manage and lead all elements of Watson Institute’s Fellowship programs. The goal is for each Fellowship to receive a 9.0/10 or above in the Fellow reviews, meet the key milestones, and meet the overall north star goals of each Fellowship.

Requirements

High bar for detail and quality, with a strong ability to identify inconsistencies in writing, communication, and execution.
Highly organized and process-driven, managing work with precision and using systems and trackers to stay on top of multiple priorities.
Results-driven mindset, taking ownership of tasks and ensuring they are completed to a high standard.
High integrity, exercising sound judgment and handling sensitive information responsibly.
Systems-oriented thinking, with experience building, improving, and managing processes that support consistent execution.
Direct and constructive communication, maintaining a solution-oriented approach when addressing challenges.
Deep-seated passion for Watson Institute’s mission to develop innovators, leaders, and entrepreneurs to solve the toughest challenges facing the world.
Strong interpersonal awareness, with the ability to read group dynamics and support Fellows with empathy, discretion, and sound judgment.
Strong facilitation skills, with the ability to confidently lead sessions, guide discussions, and draw out meaningful participation during workshops and events.
Experience as an entrepreneurial leader, with a deep understanding of the journeys, challenges, and growth trajectories of founders.
Experience working in a contractor or independent capacity, with the ability to manage time, priorities, and deliverables with a high degree of ownership in a remote, fast-paced environment.
Systems-oriented and highly organized approach to work, with the ability to manage multiple program components simultaneously.
Airtable proficiency (or willingness to learn quickly).
Email management excellence.
Rapid follow-up.
Data analysis.
Tech-forward mindset with the ability to quickly onboard to new digital tools.

Responsibilities

End-to-end planning and execution of a 16-week Fellowship experience, including operationalizing program components, leading core experiences, and ensuring Fellows receive a structured, engaging, and high-quality journey from onboarding through completion.
Pre-planning, implementation, and leading of the 16-week Fellowship.
Building out a Fellowship Success Tracker provided by the Design Team as a guide to the structure of each Fellowship.
Leading a multi-day Immersive experience, either in person or virtually, depending on the Fellowship, with the support of the Programs Events Team.
Scheduling the core programmatic elements of each Fellowship in a way that directly corresponds to the “theme” of that Fellowship and the profiles of the Fellows admitted.
Working with the Associate Instructional Specialist to ensure that each Fellowship's Success Tracker is reflected on the calendar for Fellows, partners, and the team to engage with.
Ensuring a successful Fellow Onboarding experience by engaging with the Search Manager/Lead the month before the program starts to coordinate an engaging onboarding experience for Fellows (Meet the Cohort, Intake Form, Getting to Know the Fellows).
Leading each Fellowship with empathy and perception as the gatekeeper of the community, remaining committed to the growth of each Fellow by leading 1-on-1’s with the Fellows throughout the duration of the program.
Planning Community Building sessions.
Connecting Fellows to additional Mentors in the Watson Institute Mentor network when particular expertise is observed to be helpful to the Fellow’s growth.
Accountable for the successful execution of the Program Operations, Basecamps, Curriculum, and Summit.
Responsible for all Fellow communications, beginning as soon as Fellows are admitted to the program.
Hosting consultation calls, managing ongoing communications leading up to the official start of the Fellowship, and serving as the main point of contact throughout the Fellowship until the Fellows have officially completed the program, received their certificate, and completed their Basecamps (if applicable).
Engaging the local community (when applicable) and our global community to meet the Programmatic theme and needs of the partner / Fellow.
Developing and sustaining a trusting relationship with entrepreneurial leaders and community stakeholders, specifically with location-based Fellowships.
Ensuring Fellows are connected to Watson Institute’s Mentor network, when applicable and if appropriate, to meet the venture-specific needs of each Fellow.
Inviting community members involved in each Fellowship to Summit, Watson Institute’s culminating event.
Auditing courses to ensure that facilitators consistently deliver high-quality content in each session and reporting high-level feedback to the Design Team.
Supporting Preceptors (if needed) with technology, prep, and course facilitation.
New responsibilities may develop as the Program Lead position evolves.