Program Manager, Fellowship & Programs Recruitment

About this role

About Activate

Activate is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to turning scientific discoveries into real-world impact. Through partnerships with government, philanthropy, universities, and industry, Activate builds the cross-sector ecosystem that drives hard tech innovation—equipping scientists and engineers with world-class resources, training, and community to bring their work from discovery to deployment.

Since 2015, Activate's flagship fellowship has supported nearly 300 fellows across the United States, who have launched more than 230 companies and secured over $5.5 billion in follow-on funding. Now expanding beyond its flagship program, Activate is reaching scientists and engineers at more stages of their entrepreneurial journey across the world—multiplying the pathways from innovation to commercialization. Learn more at Activate.org .

Position Summary

The Program Manager, Fellowship & Programs Recruitment will play a critical role in attracting top science entrepreneurs to Activate programs. This position will focus on identifying and reaching future science entrepreneurs, establishing and stewarding relationships across the ecosystem to support outreach, representing Activate virtually and in-person, facilitating a positive applicant experience to Activate programs, and learning from recruitment campaign data to refine future recruitment strategy.

Responsibilities include building and maintaining the organization's potential applicant and external stakeholder lists, conducting outreach to networks in academia, industry, government and other ecosystems to identify future science entrepreneurs, and working cross-functionally with departments, such as Brand and Activate Community teams, to manage the year-round recruitment calendar in order to ensure all recruitment deadlines are met and goals are achieved. The role will particularly focus on fostering relationships, executing and supporting recruitment strategies, attending events such as conferences and campus visits, and collaborating with communities on local and regional activities to achieve an annual pipeline of diverse candidates.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys turning strategy into action—designing thoughtful outreach campaigns, building meaningful relationships, and executing high-impact programs. You’ll play a key role in supporting scientists and engineers as they explore entrepreneurship, helping them connect with Activate’s proven U.S. fellowship model and vibrant community.

Primary Responsibilities

Annual Recruitment Planning & Execution

• Partner with the Program and Development teams to develop and refine recruitment strategies using data insights and experimentation.

• Execute recruitment campaigns end-to-end, including hosting informational webinars, supporting marketing outreach, and representing Activate at campus visits and conferences.

• Serve as a primary point of contact for prospective applicants, providing timely, thoughtful support via email, virtual meetings, and virtual office hours.

• Drive the recruitment funnel to ensure a robust pool of high-quality applications

• Collaborate with staff, partners, and fellows to develop compelling recruitment materials and toolkits that extend outreach efforts

• Use live and retrospective recruitment data dashboards to set and adapt strategy

• Hire, onboard, and manage a seasonal recruitment intern to help execute on activities from July-October

Ecosystem Engagement

• Develop and maintain relationships across the innovation ecosystem, connecting potential applicants with relevant networks and resources.

• Support and participate in events that strengthen community engagement and expand recruitment reach.

Program Support

• Work closely with program staff to identify and activate recruitment opportunities at universities, labs, and ecosystem events.

• Track and manage applicant pipeline data to ensure strong, diverse candidate pools aligned with priority technical areas.

• Contribute to the development of shared fellowship resources and materials.

• Lead and participate in cross-team meetings to ensure alignment, clarity, and timely information sharing.

• Additional project support/management as assigned. For example, this role might lead execution of Finalist Week, an annual event in the Spring that brings together Activate staff, selection committees and subject matter experts for a week of presentations by finalists.

Operations & Coordination

• Serve as a connector across teams, sharing best practices and ensuring consistency in recruitment efforts.

• Oversee logistics, timelines, budgets, and documentation for recruitment-related activities.

• Lead on evaluation and continuous improvement efforts, using data and feedback to strengthen program design over time.

The Ideal Candidate...

• 4-6 years of program management, fellowship management, or related experience (experience with, science, engineering, 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.

• Fluent with data outputs: can read dashboards, review reports, connect to reality on the ground, and ask good questions. Able to use data to tell stories, set priorities, align stakeholders, and surface opportunities.

• Conversant with software tools—project management, data management, customer relationship management, applicant tracking systems, or surveys—and is willing to learn others.

• Highly organized, proactive, and detail-oriented.

• Has experience representing an organization at events, and ability to travel domestically and internationally (up to 25%).

About the Role

This is a full-time position with a competitive annual salary of $90,000 with a generous benefits package that includes professional development, $2,00

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