Preceptor

About Watson Institute

Watson Institute supports high-potential entrepreneurs and leaders from underserved communities through fellowships developed with leading corporations and foundations. These programs build entrepreneurship and leadership capabilities, provide committed mentorship, offer community development stipends, and connect participants to a long-term alumni network and a global peer community.

The institute partners with organizations such as Google, JPMorganChase Foundation, Walmart.org, Wells Fargo, Ford Philanthropy, SAP, Truist Foundation, BMO, Comcast, Western Union, and other private foundations. This year, its programs are set to serve more than 2,400 emerging leaders.

Watson Institute alumni have collectively raised more than $190 million, created over 2,300 paid jobs, and reached more than 11 million people through the ventures and initiatives they have helped lead. Alumni outcomes are strong, with 93% employed, continuing education, or building a venture. Many alumni continue to use skills learned in the program years later, and some have gone on to selective programs and top universities.

Role Summary

The Preceptor role is designed for experienced practitioners who can advise, inspire, and guide Fellows as they progress through a 16-week fellowship. Unlike a conventional classroom instructor, a Preceptor combines hands-on professional experience with facilitation skills to create practical, engaging learning experiences that help Fellows apply new ideas to their ventures, careers, and leadership growth.

Preceptors function as subject-matter experts in residence. They are selected from among founders, operators, investors, executives, educators, and ecosystem builders who can teach curriculum content and offer individual guidance grounded in real-world practice. They are contracted to facilitate entrepreneurial topics such as Foundations, Data & Metrics, Funding, Go-to-Market, Pitch, and Team Management.

What You Will Do

You will lead a defined block of the fellowship, usually consisting of two to four modules focused on themes aligned with the program goals. The work blends teaching, facilitation, coaching, and feedback, with a strong emphasis on application over theory.

Watson Institute follows a facilitation approach that prioritizes active learning: Fellows spend most of their time practicing frameworks and applying them to their ventures, while a smaller portion is dedicated to introducing concepts. Each module is built around clear outcomes, aligned in-session activities, a learner-centered approach, flexibility for different venture stages, and continuous improvement through feedback and surveys.

The learning platform used for delivery is Google Classroom, and materials must be uploaded on time using the provided checklist. You will also be expected to set aside mentorship time for Fellows, track those sessions using a brief form, attend program meetings, and complete onboarding and training requirements. Additional responsibilities may be added as the role evolves.

Mentorship Expectations

For each module you teach, you should reserve 4 hours for mentorship. Fellows may schedule 30-minute one-on-one meetings with you, allowing you to support up to 8 Fellows over a 16-week period per module. You may choose to offer additional availability if desired. Fellows will be asked to define goals for their meetings so the conversation stays focused and productive. A short record of mentorship sessions will also need to be submitted through a form provided after orientation.

Working Style and Culture

Watson Institute expects Preceptors to be detail-focused, highly organized, intentional in their planning, results-oriented, and able to make sound judgment calls with integrity. The team values people who can build and improve systems, protect sensitive information, escalate issues when necessary, and stay focused on impact.

The communication culture emphasizes directness and accountability. Team members are expected to surface disagreements early when needed, commit once a decision is made, avoid unnecessary drama, and address concerns directly with the people involved.

Candidate Profile

Strong candidates usually bring at least 5 years of relevant experience in entrepreneurship, startup development, venture support, social impact, business growth, or a related area. Experience may come from being a founder, operator, investor, advisor, mentor, or ecosystem builder.

Ideal candidates enjoy teaching and coaching, believe in experiential learning, and can create inclusive environments for entrepreneurs from varied cultural, socioeconomic, and academic backgrounds. They should understand the founder journey, show resilience and adaptability, keep learning, follow industry trends, and care deeply about ethical leadership and social responsibility.

Compensation and Engagement Terms

This is a contractor role with compensation of $1,300 to $3,000 per block, depending on the fellowship, module count, and scope of work. The estimated time commitment is about 25 to 35 hours.

The role reports to the Design Team. Start timing depends on the fellowship assignment and program needs, but onboarding and engagement are expected to begin in August 2026. Most fellowships end in December 2026 or January 2027, though extensions may be possible based on organizational needs, program needs, and performance.

Location Preference

Candidates from the following regions are prioritized: California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Wisconsin, as well as China, Finland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

Application Notes

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the role is filled.