Program Specialist

Employment; Doha; On-site; QAR 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Silicon Foundry, a Kearney company, seeks a Program Specialist to design, deliver, and manage entrepreneurship programs in Doha, Qatar. You will support incubation, acceleration, and advisory services for founders, while building mentor networks and identifying funding opportunities.

The role is full-time, client-facing, based in Doha, with a fixed-term contract through January 2026 and potential extension.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Entrepreneurship, Management, Innovation, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in startup programs, accelerators, incubators, venture building, or entrepreneurship support.
• Experience designing and delivering founder-focused programs and startup support services.
• Experience working directly with startups, founders, investors, mentors, and ecosystem stakeholders.
• Experience supporting startup assessment, diligence, investment readiness, or venture portfolio management.
• Proven track record managing multi-stakeholder projects with measurable outcomes.
• Strong analytical and research capabilities with the ability to translate data into actionable recommendations.
• Excellent verbal, written, presentation, and visual storytelling skills, including development of executive-level materials.
• Familiarity with the Qatar startup ecosystem and the creative and cultural industries sector is highly desirable.
• Experience leveraging CRM systems, portfolio management tools, event platforms, and AI-enabled research tools to drive operational effectiveness.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end design and execution of entrepreneurship programs, ensuring a high-quality participant experience and outcomes.
• Source and manage trainers, facilitators, and subject matter experts; continuously improve program content and engagement.
• Develop partnerships to enhance program quality and founder outcomes.
• Manage startup portfolio tracking and founder engagement before, during, and after participation.
• Design workshops, masterclasses, and capability-building initiatives for entrepreneurs and startups.
• Lead mentor matching and coordinate engagement with advisors and ecosystem partners.
• Assess startup suitability for advisory, funding, and growth services; support investment readiness initiatives.
• Produce regular program performance reports and communicate progress to senior stakeholders.

Skills

Startup programs

Project management

Stakeholder mgmt

Analytical skills

Communication

CRM systems

Ecosystem engagement

Presentation skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Silicon Foundry, a Kearney company, is an innovation advisory firm that catalyzes opportunities and accelerates change to push the frontier of what’s possible.

We help our Members navigate new technologies and market shifts, discover and engage with key emerging leaders, and unlock high-impact customer, partnership, investment, co-creation, and acquisition opportunities. Our Members represent a diverse spectrum of corporations from across the globe, such as BP Innovation, Nat West, UPS, SK Innovation, Honda Innovations, the State of Michigan, and Southwest Airlines, and many more. Learn more at www.sifoundry.com.

Job Description Silicon Foundry, a Kearney company, Program Specialist, Middle East

Who We Are

Silicon Foundry is a premier innovation advisory firm that helps corporations anticipate disruption, engage with emerging technologies, and build high-impact partnerships that drive business transformation. As a subsidiary of Kearney, a global consultancy, we blend strategic expertise with deep connectivity across startups, venture capital, and technology ecosystems to help organizations unlock new opportunities and accelerate growth.

Our work spans corporate innovation, venture strategy, and ecosystem engagement. We help our global enterprise clients navigate shifting market dynamics, scout and engage with cutting-edge startups, and structure strategic investments, partnerships, and acquisitions.

A core part of our expertise is designing, launching, and managing venture programs such as corporate incubators, accelerators, and strategic investment initiatives. We don’t just advise—we build and execute. From defining focus areas and sourcing high-potential startups to facilitating pilots, structuring investment theses, and driving commercialization, we help organizations translate external innovation into tangible business impact.

By integrating Kearney’s world-class consulting capabilities with our deep venture and technology networks, we create the bridge between corporate strategy and the fast-moving startup ecosystem—helping enterprises stay ahead of disruption and future-proof their businesses.

Learn more at www.sifoundry.com.

About The Role

The Program Specialist will be responsible for the design, delivery, and ongoing management of entrepreneurship and startup support programs for the creatives industry. The role will focus on supporting founders through incubation, acceleration, advisory services and capacity-building initiatives, while ensuring a high-quality participant experience and measurable program outcomes.

The Program Specialist will manage startup portfolio tracking, founder engagement, mentor and expert networks, and support access to funding and strategic opportunities. The role will also contribute to ecosystem development activities to enhance program quality, stakeholder engagement, and reporting requirements to the client and other relevant stakeholders.

This is a hands-on role based full-time on a client project in Doha, Qatar. The position is offered on a fixed-term basis through January 2027, with the possibility of extension and/or transition directly to the client as part of the project's planned transfer and handover.

What You'll Do

Program Design & Delivery

Lead the end-to-end design and execution of entrepreneurship programs, ensuring a high-quality participant experience and outcomes. Source and manage trainers, facilitators, and subject matter experts. Continuously improve program content, participant engagement, and operational effectiveness. Identify opportunities to develop and launch new programs aligned with ecosystem needs and strategic priorities. Support the development of strategic partnerships that enhance program quality and founder outcomes.

Portfolio Management & Founder Success

Manage startup portfolio tracking and founder engagement throughout and beyond program participation. Monitor startup growth, milestones, KPIs, and outcomes, maintaining accurate portfolio records and reporting. Design and deliver workshops, masterclasses, and capability-building initiatives for entrepreneurs and startups. Lead mentor matching activities and coordinate engagement with advisors, industry experts, and ecosystem partners.

Startup Services & Investment Readiness

Assess startup suitability for advisory, funding, and growth support services. Support investment readiness initiatives, including founder preparation, investor engagement, and financing opportunities. Facilitate access to relevant ecosystem resources, strategic partners, and commercialization opportunities.

Reporting & Stakeholder Management

Collect, manage, and analyze program and portfolio data. Produce regular reports on program performance, founder outcomes, startup growth, and ecosystem impact. Support preparation of presentations and reports for senior stakeholders and client leadership. Develop clear, visually compelling, executive-ready materials that communicate progress, outcomes, and recommendations.

Desired Skills & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Entrepreneurship, Management, Innovation, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in startup programs, accelerators, incubators, venture building, innovation programs, or entrepreneurship support initiatives.
• Experience designing and delivering founder-focused programs and startup support services.
• Demonstrated experience working directly with startups, founders, investors, mentors, and ecosystem stakeholders.
• Experience supporting startup assessment, diligence, investment readiness, or venture portfolio management.
• Proven track record managing multi-stakeholder projects with measurable outcomes.
• Strong analytical and research capabilities with the ability to translate data into actionable recommendations.
• Excellent verbal, written, presentation, and visual storytelling skills, including development of executive-level materials.
• Familiarity with the Qatar startup ecosystem and the creative and cultural industries sector is highly desirable.
• Experience leveraging CRM systems, portfolio management tools, event platforms, and AI-enabled research tools to drive operational effectiveness.

Key Information

Full-time, client-facing role based in Doha, Qatar (applicant MUST currently live in Qatar or willing to relocate) Fixed-term contract through January 2026 Potential opportunity for extension and/or transition directly to the client organization following project handover and knowledge transfer activities

Silicon Foundry, LLC,, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer- By Choice. We believe we are best equipped to help our Members, partners and colleagues to grow and navigate what’s next. We understand, respect, and value diversity - unique styles, experiences, identities, abilities, ideas and opinions- while being inclusive of all people.