Program Manager, Key Studio

Blueprint X Labs Inc.; Palo Alto, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Access to VC network

AI frontier ecosystem

Mentorship from industry icons

Job summary

Key Studio in the San Francisco Bay Area is seeking an energetic Program Manager to lead the 12‑week fall cohort in a hybrid setting. You will coordinate onboarding, mentor matching, workshops, and on-site events in Palo Alto.

This role requires 3–5+ years in accelerator or venture operations, exceptional organizational skills, and a strong network with founders, executives, and VCs; you’ll drive VC introductions and ensure flawless program execution.

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years in startup accelerator/incubator program management or venture operations.
• Exceptional organizational and multi-tasking capabilities for high-stakes programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day administration of the 12-week program and orientation.
• Coordinate weekly founder check-ins, workshops, and capstone days.
• Facilitate mentor introductions and manage the advisor network.
• Plan and host in-person events, dinners, and demo days in Palo Alto.

Skills

Program management

Operations

Event planning

Networking

Communication

Job description

Key Studio is an AI venture program backed by Google's AI Futures Fund. Designed specifically for ex-Google founders building the next generation of AI-first companies.

Key Studio works with selected founders with early access to frontier Gemini models, up to $350K in cloud credits, program funding, and mentorship from industry icons like Marissa Mayer, Aydin Senkut, Sunita Verma, Christine Tsai, Bradley Horowitz, Catherine Lacavera, Claire Hughes Johnson, Gretchen Howard, and Caesar Sengupta. The first cohort features founders from the Ex-Google community – Xoogler.co. It connects 35,000+ current and former Google employees driving innovation, mentorship, and investment across the startup ecosystem.

About The Role

We are seeking an operational, highly energetic Program Manager to lead the day-to-day execution of our flagship 12-week fall cohort in a hybrid capacity located in the San Francisco Bay Area. You will serve as the engine of the cohort-acting as the primary point of contact for admitted founders, coordinating high-impact programming and mentor matching, driving VC pipeline introductions, and managing on-the-ground cohort operations/ community.

Key Responsibilities

• Onboarding & Operations: Lead the day-to-day administration of the 12-week program, ensuring seamless execution of orientation, weekly founder check-ins, workshops, and capstone pitch/demo days.
• Founder Support: Build deep, trusted relationships with participating founders; identify their operational, technical, or other needs and proactively connect them with resources.
• Mentor Matching: Facilitate targeted 1:1 introductions between founders and Key Studio's elite advisor network (founders, executives, and top-tier VCs).
• Speaker Series & Workshops: Schedule, brief, and host guest speakers, masterclasses, and tactical office hours focusing on AI product development, fundraising, and GTM strategy.

Event Production & Community

• In-Person Events & Demo Day Execution: Plan and run weekly in-person dinners, pitch practices, and networking mixers in Palo Alto

Qualification & Experience

• Experience: 3-5+ years in startup accelerator/incubator program management, venture capital operations, startup community lead roles, or high-growth tech program management.
• Superb Operations & Execution: Exceptional organizational and multi-tasking skills with a proven track record of delivering high-stakes, multi-week programs on tight timelines.
• Networker & Communicator: Outstanding written and verbal communication skills; comfortable interfacing with high-profile founders, corporate executives, and VC partners.
• Location & Availability: Must be based in San Francisco Bay Area and commute to Palo Alto where we expect most of our events will be hosted and available for the full 3-month duration starting in September.
• Event Management: Experience running founder-focused Demo Days, investor pitch sessions, or boutique tech dinners.

What We Offer

• Access & Network: Unrivaled exposure to premier venture capital firms, top-tier AI founders, and senior Silicon Valley operators.
• Frontier AI Ecosystem: Direct involvement at the intersection of Google's AI Futures Fund, frontier model access, and early-stage startup creation.
• Impact: A high-visibility role shaping the trajectories of high-potential AI ventures.