100000002972.Incubation Program Manager

Job Purpose:

To manage the strategic planning, development, execution, and continuous improvement of QSTP's incubation initiatives. To foster early-stage tech startups and founders by providing a supportive, resource-rich environment aligned with global best practices.

Key Result Areas:

• Lead the building and development of QSTP Incubation Programs – Cultivate strategic and productive relationships with startups, founders, researchers, investors, corporate partners, and other stakeholders, ensuring stronger collaborations that accelerate innovation and commercialization.
• Design, manage, and continuously evolve QSTP’s Incubation Program to reflect global best practices and align with QSTP’s strategic objectives.
• Develop evidence-based incubation curricula tailored to impact tech startups across sectors such as climate, health, education, and financial inclusion, while ensuring core entrepreneurship fundamentals are consistently addressed.
• Structure both cohort-based and individual startup programs with clear milestones, deliverables, and success metrics.
• Embed impact measurement frameworks and theory of change development into all program components.
• Develop specialized sector tracks while maintaining a strong cross-sector entrepreneurial foundation.
• Oversee the incubation program ensuring high-quality delivery, personalized support, and participant satisfaction.
• Monitor startup progress against KPIs including product development, market traction, funding, and impact metrics.
• Manage program resources including the startup toolkit, workspace allocation, mentors, advisors, and external service providers.
• Ensure program quality through regular feedback collection, curriculum updates, and continuous optimization.
• Provide individualized coaching and strategic guidance to incubated founders on business development, fundraising, and scaling challenges.
• Recruit, train, and coordinate a network of mentors with expertise in impact investing, technology, regulatory affairs, and sector-specific knowledge.
• Facilitate access to domain experts, potential customers, investors, and partners, supporting startups through pivots, crises, and critical decision points.
• Foster a collaborative startup community through networking events, peer-to-peer activities, and knowledge-sharing sessions.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with impact investors, VCs, angel networks, and grant-making organizations.
• Develop corporate partnerships to unlock pilot opportunities, procurement channels, and strategic investments.
• Engage government stakeholders to align startups with regulatory bodies, policy makers, and national entrepreneurship programs.
• Manage program communications and outreach in collaboration with Marketing and Communications team, raising visibility of incubated companies and their founders.
• Track and report on both business performance and social/environmental impact of incubated startups, preparing regular reports for stakeholders, boards, and funders.
• Develop case studies and success stories that highlight program impact and strengthen QSTP’s position in the global innovation ecosystem.
• Continuously evolve the program by incorporating startup feedback, ecosystem insights, and emerging best practices.
• Conduct industry research to remain current with trends in impact entrepreneurship, regulatory developments, and frontier technologies.
• Represent QSTP at conferences and international forums, expanding networks and reinforcing QSTP’s role as a hub for impact tech innovation.
• Other reasonable tasks as assigned by supervisor.

Matrix Organization Structure Tasks

• Contribute to the successful planning, execution, and completion of cross-functional projects when and as assigned by QSTP senior management.
• Actively engage with team members from various departments to achieve project goals, ensuring smooth coordination and effective communication.
• Efficiently manage and utilize resources across projects, balancing workload and maximizing productivity.
• Apply creative thinking and innovative methods to identify and address challenges, contributing to the continuous improvement of project processes.
• Ensure compliance with all organizational policies, procedures, and quality standards while working on assigned projects.
• Maintain clear, consistent communication with both the line manager and project manager, ensuring timely updates on project progress and outcomes.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Innovation, AI, Engineering, International Development, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in startup ecosystem roles such as accelerator/incubator management, venture capital, corporate innovation, or entrepreneurship.
• Solid technology background with knowledge of AI, data science, climate tech, health tech, or other relevant impact technologies.
• Proven program management experience designing and executing founder development programs.
• Strong understanding of social and environmental impact measurement frameworks.
• Deep understanding of the startup lifecycle, funding stages, product-market fit, and scaling challenges.
• Exceptional relationship management skills with founders, investors, corporates, and government stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and project management abilities, with experience handling multiple complex initiatives.
• Ability to analyze and interpret program performance data and startup metrics.
• Knowledge of impact investing, ESG principles, and global market opportunities in emerging economies.
• Familiarity with regulatory considerations in sectors such as healthcare, fintech, and environmental innovation.
• Adaptability to changing priorities and fast-paced startup environments, with a strong commitment to responsible and inclusive innovation.
• Strong network within the regional and global innovation ecosystem.
• Excellent writing skills with the ability to draft and edit a variety of written reports and communications and to articulate ideas clearly and concisely; Arabic proficiency is an advantage.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications.