Preceptor

About Watson Institute

Watson Institute develops high-potential entrepreneurs and leaders from underrepresented communities by delivering fellowship programs with support from major corporations and foundations. These fellowships combine entrepreneurship and leadership training, dedicated mentorship, community-focused stipends, ongoing alumni support, and access to an international network of peers, mentors, and opportunities.

The organization works with partners such as Google, JPMorganChase Foundation, Walmart.org, Wells Fargo, Ford Philanthropy, SAP, Truist Foundation, BMO, Comcast, Western Union, and other private foundations. Through these collaborations, Watson Institute expects to serve more than 2,400 emerging leaders this year.

Its alumni network has collectively raised more than $190 million, created over 2,300 paid jobs, and influenced more than 11 million people worldwide through the ventures and initiatives they have supported. Alumni outcomes are strong: 93% are employed, pursuing further education, or building a venture, and 85% continue using a skill gained through a Watson Institute program as far as 12 years later. Alumni have also been accepted into Y Combinator, the Echoing Green Fellowship, and Harvard, New York University, Princeton University, and other leading institutions. Eleven alumni have appeared on Forbes' 30 Under 30 lists.

Role Purpose

The Preceptor role is designed for practitioners who can coach Fellows through the 16-week fellowship while drawing on real-world experience. The objective is to inspire, advise, and support Fellows as they move their ventures, leadership, and impact forward. Unlike a conventional instructor, a Preceptor blends subject expertise with facilitation skills to create highly interactive, action-oriented learning.

Watson Institute considers Preceptors to be expert practitioners in residence. They are selected for their experience as entrepreneurs, operators, investors, executives, educators, and ecosystem builders, and they lead learning in areas such as foundations, data and metrics, funding, go-to-market, pitching, and team management.

What You Will Do

Each Preceptor is responsible for leading a designated block in the program, typically made up of two to four modules focused on specific fellowship themes. The work is designed around practical application rather than theory, with an emphasis on helping Fellows use what they learn directly in their ventures and leadership journeys.

Your responsibilities will include building session content, facilitating virtual classes, mentoring and coaching Fellows, reviewing deliverables, joining program meetings, and taking part in onboarding and training. The time commitment depends on the specific Fellowship, and more detailed scheduling information will be shared during interviews and finalized before hiring.

The learning approach follows a 5-step facilitation model, with roughly 80% of each module devoted to practicing and applying frameworks and 20% to introducing new concepts. Sessions are designed to be relevant, rigorous, and engaging, and module design should account for the cohort's venture stage and learning needs.

Preceptors are expected to use Google Classroom as the learning management system and upload materials on time, following the prep checklist provided in advance of each session.

As part of the mentorship component, each Preceptor should reserve 4 hours per module taught for 1:1 advising. Fellows sign up for 30-minute sessions, allowing a Preceptor to meet with up to 8 Fellows across a 16-week period for each module. Preceptors may extend availability at their discretion. Mentorship notes must be recorded using a brief form provided after orientation.

Additional responsibilities may be added as the role develops.

Working Style and Teaching Approach

Watson Institute favors experiential learning over lecture-heavy instruction. Preceptors are expected to create learning experiences that help Fellows practice skills, reflect on progress, and apply frameworks to real venture challenges. The approach should be fellow-centered, flexible, responsive to different learning styles, and informed by participant profiles and venture stages.

Continuous improvement is part of the role, supported by mid-program and end-program feedback surveys as well as direct feedback from the organization.

Requirements

To succeed in this role, you should be highly organized, detail-conscious, and intentional in how you plan and execute work. Strong systems thinking, solid judgment, high integrity, and a comfortable relationship with direct communication are important. The role also calls for someone who can challenge issues constructively, commit once decisions are made, and avoid unnecessary drama while keeping the mission at the center.

Ideal candidates bring at least 5 years of relevant professional experience in entrepreneurship, startup development, venture support, social impact, business growth, or a related area. Experience may come from founding, operating, investing in, advising, mentoring, or building ecosystems around ventures.

Successful candidates will also be passionate about teaching, coaching, and facilitating learning for entrepreneurs; able to create practical, engaging, action-based environments; experienced working with people from varied cultural, socioeconomic, and academic backgrounds; and committed to inclusion.

A strong understanding of the founder journey is important, including the resilience, adaptability, and resourcefulness needed to work through uncertainty and adversity. A growth mindset, commitment to continuous learning, awareness of current trends and emerging technologies, and a strong orientation toward ethical leadership and social responsibility are also key.

Compensation and Contract Details

This is a contractor position reporting to the Design Team. Compensation is competitive and ranges from $1,300 to $3,000 per block, depending on the Fellowship, number of modules, and scope of engagement. Estimated time commitment is approximately 25 to 35 hours.

The start date varies by Fellowship assignment and program needs, but onboarding and engagement are expected to begin in August 2026. The anticipated end date also varies, with most Fellowship cohorts concluding in December 2026 or January 2027, though extensions may be possible based on organizational needs, program needs, and performance.

Location

Watson Institute prioritizes candidates from communities it serves. Preferred geographies include 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.

Additional Information

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