Regional Director, Startups Programs (APAC)
500 Startups, Singapore

Our Mission

We uplift people and economies around the world through entrepreneurship.

Who We Are

We have backed more than 2,400 companies or 5,000+ entrepreneurs in 75+ countries. Notable investments in the 500 portfolio include Credit Karma, Twilio, Canva, Grab, Bukalapak, The RealReal, Talkdesk, Knotel, Udemy, and Ipsy. Most significantly, those companies have helped create thousands of jobs and delighted millions of customers all over the world. Because of our global network and expertise, we are in a unique position to build startups ecosystems worldwide.

What You Will Do

As the APAC Regional Director for the Startup Programs team, you will oversee the implementation of all 500’s global innovation programs in the region, taking a strong sense of ownership and accountability for the success of the operations team and programs. These programs include accelerator programs, founder bootcamps, Demo Days, education programs for corporates, accelerator managers, and investors, and more!

This position will ideally be based in Singapore to work closely with its counterpart on the business development team, but for the right candidate can also be remote. Your team will be spread out across the APAC region (Japan, Korea, Cambodia, Malaysia, Australia etc.) where we have live programs, and you will work mostly remotely. This role will report to Fadwa Kingsbury, the Global Head of Startup Programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee team of Program Managers running our regional Ecosystem Programs
• Work closely with Program Managers to ensure smooth and on-schedule delivery of each program, checking in regularly to make sure each program is on track to meet KPIs and remove any roadblocks encountered in the implementation
• Work cross-functionally and liaise with other teams and departments at 500 Startups to streamline operations and unlock resources where needed for program implementation
• Liaise with Business Development team to monitor pipeline, ensure feasibility, and facilitate smooth handover to program implementation team
• Manage bandwidth of the team and recruiting and building up the team to deliver programs as we expand beyond the current capacity across the region
• Coordinate with Regional Directors for other regions to ensure consistency and continuously improve the delivery of our programs
• Report regularly to the Global Head of Startup Programs, on the status of programs and target deliverables, identifying and helping to resolve any red flags

Who You Are

You are able to anticipate potential problems or opportunities and design plans to address them, you are able to plan ahead and coordinate and allocate resources needed to implement programs and projects across the APAC region, as a leader you believe in supporting and guiding the team through the implementation process answering their questions and problem solving with them, and always review results and synthesize lessons learned for future programs. You are passionate about people and like working in a team environment but are able to take ownership of projects and drive through to completion with minimal supervision. You are passionate about the Startup Ecosystem in the APAC region.

You are also self-driven, humble, and are excited at the prospect of joining our #500STRONG family and helping us execute our vision to build thriving tech ecosystems around the world.

Requirements

Must have

• Experience managing international and/or remote teams
• Experience managing complex projects that interact with multiple stakeholders
• Highly focused, self-driven and organized, with great attention to detail
• Very adaptable, and very quick learner
• Comfortable with uncertainty
• Enthusiastic team player who inspires and helps people around you become even better
• Looking to channel your curiosity and passion for innovation into bridging the knowledge gap between Silicon Valley and the world’s growing tech ecosystems
• Excited about working in a diverse environment with different types of people from around the world speaking different languages, exhibiting cross-cultural awareness and understanding
• Available to travel 25%+ of the time

Nice to have

• Experience working internationally
• Experience managing remote teams
• Familiarity with cross-cultural business
• Experience coordinating large-scale events
• Experience working within the startup ecosystem

Benefits

• Unlimited PTO
• Opportunity to travel and work with phenomenal people around the world and participate in networking events 500 offers globally

Job Rewards and Benefits