Program Specialist, Doha, Qatar (12 months contract)

Location: Doha

Job Description Silicon Foundry, a Kearney company, Venture Associate, 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 end-to-end management of community engagement, startup pipeline development, and alumni relations for Qatar’s creative and cultural industries hub. The role will ensure a steady inflow of high-quality ventures into programs and services provided by the hub; foster an active community, and maintain strong engagement with alumni through structured post-program support and portfolio tracking. The Program Specialist will also support reporting requirements to the client and other relevant stakeholders, ensuring that outcomes and impact are clearly communicated.

This is a hands-on role based full time on a client project (12 months duration). The role is suitable to someone who thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment and wants to directly shape the success of client engagements.

Who You Are:

• You have a strong network within the venture capital and startup communities, passionate about innovation and experience supporting the growth of early-stage startups.
• You are highly organised, proactive and comfortable with ambiguity; able to structure and execute multiple processes simultaneously, and are keen to quickly and continuously deliver impact by rolling up your sleeves to tackle a wide range of projects.
• You have strong verbal and written communication and organizational skills, with experience interacting with founders, partners, and senior stakeholders across diverse communities.
• You have the ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple priorities. You can work with minimal supervision and direction, proactively taking ownership of tasks. You thrive in ambiguous environments while driving towards clear deliverables, measurable impact, and outcomes for founders, alumni, and stakeholders.
• You are a visual storyteller—you can put together decks, reports, and proposals that compellingly respond to stakeholder needs and clearly articulate progress and outcome.
• You are experienced in leveraging digital tools and platforms (e.g., CRM systems, data tracking tools, event management platforms, and AI-driven research tools) to improve deliverables, and solve problems creatively.
• You are curious and proactive in exploring how technology and data can unlock value in community building, pipeline development, and alumni tracking.

What You'll Do:

Community & Ecosystem Activation

• Design and execute community-building initiatives (events, workshops, hackathons, meetups etc).
• Develop tailored outreach strategies and engage with relevant parties to strengthen the hub’s visibility.
• Act as a key point of contact for the CCI community to ensure continuous engagement with the hub.

Pipeline Development & Application Management

• Lead and manage the startup sourcing strategy and process to build a strong, diverse founder pipeline. This includes proactively sourcing startups and building relationships with relevant ecosystem partners for referrals.
• Manage open calls for applications across incubation, acceleration, and other program tracks.
• Oversee applicant outreach, screening, and communication to ensure a seamless candidate experience.
• Proactively build and maintain a database of potential ventures and track pipeline conversion metrics.

Alumni Engagement & Portfolio Tracking

• Establish and manage a structured alumni network with regular engagement activities.
• Track progress of alumni ventures
• Identify and facilitate opportunities for alumni (funding, partnerships, global showcases).

Reporting & Performance Tracking

• Collect, manage, and analyze data across community and alumni activities.
• Produce regular reports on pipeline quality, alumni performance, and community impact.
• Collaborate with the Head of Operations in preparation of reports for QDB and other stakeholders on the hub’s outcomes and impact.

Desired Skills & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business, management, or a related field
• Minimum 5 years of experience in program management, preferably within the incubator/accelerator space or the CCI sector.
• Experience in startup sourcing, diligence, or program support
• Proven track record in managing multi-stakeholder programs, including experience working with startups and entrepreneurs.
• Demonstrated experience in delivering client projects with clear outputs and measurable impact.
• Strong analytical and research skills; ability to turn data into actionable recommendations.
• Excellent verbal, written, and visual communication skills, including development of C-Suite-ready materials.
• Familiarity with the Qatar market and the Culture and Creativity industry is highly desirable.

Requirements:

• Role is for applicants currently in or willing to relocate to Doha, Qatar

Compensation & benefits:

• Competitive compensation package
• Housing Allowance – This is a cash-based allowance to support housing and is part of total fixed salary. It is paid monthly along with the Base Salary
• Health Insurance – For employee & dependents (spouse & children)
• 25 days PTO

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.

About the company

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, NatWest, UPS, SK Innovation, Honda Innovations, the State of Michigan, and Southwest Airlines, and many more. Learn more at www.sifoundry.com.

Contact Person

Kofo Akinrimisi

[email protected]