Fellowship Manager, New York

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 350 fellows across the United States, who have launched more than 275 companies and secured over $5.5 billion in follow‑on funding. Activate is now expanding beyond its flagship program, reaching scientists and engineers at more stages of their entrepreneurial journey worldwide.

Position Summary

The Fellowship Manager, New York, is the strategic and operational program lead for Activate's New York community, supporting a cohort of scientist‑entrepreneurs throughout their two‑year fellowship. The role combines founder support, community building, operational excellence, ecosystem engagement, and team leadership to deliver an exceptional fellowship experience and cultivate one of the nation’s leading hard‑tech founder communities.

Primary Responsibilities

• Own end‑to‑end fellow experience, including strategy and health of the Activate New York community, continuously evolving the fellowship through programming, partnerships, operational improvements, and community‑building initiatives.
• Direct New York community programming, including bi‑weekly in‑person sessions and quarterly virtual events.
• Manage local program operations: fellow selection, onboarding, data management, and benefits administration.
• Supervise the Fellowship Associate, ensuring high‑performance execution of community operations and supporting their professional development.
• Partner with the Managing Director to provide targeted support to New York fellows.
• Oversee community budgeting, strategy, team meetings, and coordination across the Fellowship team.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to translate fellowship insights into strategies that amplify organizational impact.
• Contribute to broader Fellowship team initiatives, operations, and cross‑functional working groups.
• Oversee and coordinate ecosystem events hosted by Activate in New York.
• Represent Activate across New York’s hard‑tech innovation ecosystem by cultivating partnerships, engaging alumni, and participating in conferences, recruitment events, and industry convenings.
• Champion a positive, welcoming environment while contributing to the wider Activate culture.

Ideal Candidate

• 4+ years of professional experience, including at least 1 year supporting scientists, research, hard tech, or entrepreneurship.
• Passion for and experience with community building, facilitating personal connections, collaborations, and mutual support.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage a complex program through changing external circumstances.
• Proactive data collection and analysis to drive continuous improvement.
• Skill in translating entrepreneurs’ shared challenges into programming.
• Excellent communication skills across diverse formats (stage presentations, conversations, data‑rich presentations).
• Desire to grow as a manager and help others reach their full potential.
• Flexibility to switch between collaboration and individual work, words and numbers, strategic and nitty‑gritty tasks.
• Passion for building entrepreneurial ecosystems and supporting hard‑tech founders tackling society’s hardest challenges.
• Love of science and eagerness to learn.

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive annual salary of $100,000.
• Generous benefits package including professional development opportunities.
• $2,000 annual wellness fund.
• Flexible paid time off.
• Healthcare coverage for employees and dependents with 90–100 % of premiums covered.
• Retirement plan with a 3 % match after three months of employment.
• Based in New York City; typical in‑office schedule Tuesday through Thursday.

Equal Opportunity

Activate celebrates diversity and is committed to creating a welcoming workplace for all employees. All applicants will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability. Activate Global, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.