Senior Program Manager, Global Programs (Asia)

About Activate Global

Activate empowers scientists and engineers to reinvent our world by bringing their research to market. We partner with leading funders and research institutions to offer the Activate Fellowship, providing the funding, community, mentorship, network, and time that scientists need to become entrepreneurs.

The results are game changing: Activate Fellows have launched 197 new companies since 2015. These companies have raised $4B in follow-on funding, created more than 2,800 U.S.-based jobs, and defined several new market categories. Activate supports fellows in Berkeley, CA; Cambridge, MA; New York, NY; Houston, TX; and across the U.S. through Activate Anywhere.

Position Summary

The Senior Program Manager will play a critical role in supporting Activate’s new international programs in Asia. Reporting to the Executive Vice President, Activate Innovation Lab, this unique position will split time between two new programs, working closely with the team of each program to ensure high-quality experiences for participants. The role will particularly focus on planning and executing U.S.-based immersion experiences, designing and executing Activate virtual educational experiences, and connecting fellows to Activate’s U.S. network of mentors, investors, industry partners, and ecosystem leaders.

This position is ideal for someone who thrives at program execution, event planning, and relationship management, and who is excited to help international fellows benefit from Activate’s proven U.S. fellowship model and community.

Primary Responsibilities

Immersion Planning & Execution

• Lead design and logistics for U.S.-based immersion experiences for international participants, including site visits, workshops, and networking events.
• Coordinate with Activate staff, partners, and fellows to ensure seamless programming and a high-quality participant experience.

Fellowship Program Support

• Partner with the local program staff to deliver programming, ensuring meeting expectations laid out in proposals for funders and aligning with Activate’s core principles.
• Track participant progress and support program milestones using tools embedded in the US program including company and leadership mindset tracking.
• Assist with educational content design and logistics for program participants
• Assist with scheduling, content planning, and communications for program activities.

Ecosystem Engagement

• Facilitate introductions and connections between fellows and Activate’s U.S. network, including mentors, investors, and corporate partners.
• Develop meaningful ecosystem events for U.S. immersions.

Operations & Coordination

• Serve as the connective tissue across two program teams, sharing best practices and ensuring consistent program delivery.
• Manage program logistics, budgets, and documentation.
• Support evaluation and learning to improve program design over time.

Ideal Candidate

• 4+ years of program management, fellowship management, or related experience (experience with entrepreneurial, scientific, or fellowship programs a plus).
• Strong event and logistics planning and execution skills; proven ability to manage complex projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent relationship-building and communication skills; comfortable engaging with diverse stakeholders from scientists to investors.
• Experience working in global or cross-cultural contexts preferred.
• Highly organized, proactive, and detail-oriented.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally (30%).

About the Role

This is a full-time remote position with a competitive salary of $112,500 with a generous benefits package that includes professional development, $2,000 in annual wellness funds, flexible paid time off, healthcare premiums covered for employees at 100% and dependents at 90%, and the opportunity to join a retirement plan with a 3% match beginning after 3 months at Activate.

Open to candidates based in the U.S. (West Coast preferred) or within Asia-Pacific time zones. This role involves up to 30% travel and frequent cross–time zone collaboration.