# Program Lead (Contractor) > Watson Institute · United States (Remote) · Contract · Posted 2026-05-04 **Salary:** Up to USD 27,500 **Workplace:** remote ## Description Overview of Watson Institute [Watson Institute](http://www.watson.is/) 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.  **Program Lead (Contractor Role) - Mission Statement:** 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.  **Planning & Implementing all Programmatic Components of the Fellowship (50% of time):** The Program Lead is responsible for the end-to-end planning and execution of a 16-week Fellowship experience. This includes operationalizing program components, leading core experiences, and ensuring Fellows receive a structured, engaging, and high-quality journey from onboarding through completion. Responsibilities include: Program Pre-Planning:  - All Program Leads are responsible for the pre-planning, implementation, and leading of the 16-week Fellowship.  - The Program Lead will build out a Fellowship Success Tracker provided by the Design Team as a guide to the structure of each Fellowship.  - The Program Lead is responsible for leading a multi-day Immersive experience, either in person or virtually, depending on the Fellowship, with the support of the Programs Events Team.  - During the planning months, Program Leads are responsible for 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. - The Programs Lead will work 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.  - The Program Lead is responsible for a successful Fellow Onboarding experience. This means they will need to engage 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). Program Implementation: - As the gatekeeper of the community, the Program Lead should lead each Fellowship with empathy and perception, and remain committed to the growth of each Fellow by leading 1- on-1’s with the Fellows throughout the duration of the program. In addition, they will need to plan Community Building sessions. - Program Leads are responsible for connecting Fellows to additional Mentors in the Watson Institute Mentor network when particular expertise is observed to be helpful to the Fellow’s growth.  - They are accountable for the successful execution of the Program Operations, Basecamps, Curriculum, and Summit.  **Leading all Fellowship-related communications (20% of time):**  The Program Lead will be responsible for all Fellow communications, beginning as soon as Fellows are admitted to the program. They will be responsible for 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).  **Leading Community Outreach and Engagement Initiatives (20% of time):**  The Program Lead role is responsible for engaging the local community (when applicable) and our global community to meet the Programmatic theme and needs of the partner / Fellow. Responsibilities include: - 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. - Invite community members involved in each Fellowship to Summit, Watson Institute’s culminating event.  **Curriculum Oversight (10% of time):**  The Program Lead will be asked to audit courses to ensure that facilitators consistently deliver high-quality content in each session and report high-level feedback to the Design Team. They will also be asked to support Preceptors (if needed) with technology, prep, and course facilitation. This request will be made in advance.  \*New responsibilities may develop as the Program Lead position evolves. ## Requirements **Culture Add** In order to thrive as the Program Lead at Watson Institute, you will: - Hold a high bar for detail and quality, with a strong ability to identify inconsistencies in writing, communication, and execution. - Be highly organized and process-driven, managing work with precision and using systems and trackers to stay on top of multiple priorities. - Operate with a results-driven mindset, taking ownership of tasks and ensuring they are completed to a high standard. - Demonstrate high integrity, exercising sound judgment and handling sensitive information responsibly. - Think in systems, with experience building, improving, and managing processes that support consistent execution. - Communicate directly and constructively, maintaining a solution-oriented approach when addressing challenges. **Candidate Profile** Top candidates should demonstrate: - A 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. - A systems-oriented and highly organized approach to work, with the ability to manage multiple program components simultaneously. - Mandatory skills: Airtable proficiency (or willingness to learn quickly), email management excellence, rapid follow-up, and data analysis. A tech-forward mindset with the ability to quickly onboard to new digital tools. **The Vitals** - Total competitive contractor compensation: $27,500.00.  - The Program Lead is a contractor role and reports to the VP of Programs & Design. - Location: We aim to work with the communities we serve; candidates from the following key geographies will be prioritized: - Georgia - Indiana  - Iowa - Nebraska - Oklahoma - South Carolina - Texas - Virginia  - Estimated time commitment: 25 hours per week. Required availability includes: - Monday: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM MT - Tuesday: 12:00 - 1:00 PM MT - Tuesday - Thursday: 8:00 - 10:00 AM MT - The start date for this position is  August 10, 2026.  - The end date for this position is January 22, 2027, with the possibility of extension based on organizational needs and performance.  - We accept applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled. ## Apply [Apply at Watson Institute](https://apply.workable.com/watson-institute/j/5F497E5E0F/apply) --- Powered by [Workable](https://www.workable.com)