Associate Search Manager, Watson Institute, MD, US

Associate Search Manager – Job Description

Overview of Watson Institute

Watson Institute powers transformative Fellowships in partnership with leading corporations and foundations to support highly promising, historically disenfranchised rising entrepreneurs and leaders. The Fellowships provide proven entrepreneurship and leadership skills training, committed mentorship, community development stipends, long-term Alumni support, and access to a global community of peers, mentors, and opportunities.

In partnership with JPMorganChase, Walmart.org, Ford Philanthropy, Comcast, Google, Western Union Foundation, Truist Foundation, BMO, and several private foundations, Watson Institute’s programs will reach over 2,400 rising leaders this year.

Alumni of Watson Institute’s Fellowships have raised over $190 million, created over 2,300 paid jobs, and impacted over 11 million people around the world through initiatives they have helped lead. 93% of Watson Institute alums are employed, continuing their education, or building a venture. 85% of Watson Institute Alumni use a skill they learned while in a Watson Institute-powered program up to 12 years later. Watson Institute’s Alumni have been selected to Y Combinator, the Echoing Green Fellowship, and 11 have been named to Forbes’ 30 under 30 lists. Alums continue their education at Harvard University, New York University, and Princeton University, among others.

Associate Search Manager - Mission Statement

The primary mission of the Associate Search Manager is to support the recruitment and admissions efforts for rising entrepreneurs and leaders for Watson Institute’s Fellowships. The Associate Search Manager will leverage partnerships with nominators, thought leaders, community influencers, and alumni, as well as robust digital marketing tactics, to search for future Fellows. In addition, the Associate Search Manager will lead programming at two immersives each year to welcome the Fellows and support their transition to Watson Institute. 

Associate Search Manager – Role

Recruitment & Marketing (50% of the time)

Nominator & Organizational Partnerships: Watson Institute’s network of over 350 nominators are the primary way in which strong prospective applicants find out about the Watson Institute. This individual will lead the process of strengthening and building relationships with new and existing nominators. The Associate Search Manager will also be responsible for supporting our CRM platform as it relates to Search and Admissions. The elements of the nominator process include:

• Identifying strong prospective nominators: Through research and recommendations from current nominators, the Associate Search Manager identifies strong prospective nominators. This individual should expect to reach out to 10-15 new prospective nominators each month during active recruitment periods. 
• Building new nominator partnerships: Once strong prospects are identified, the Associate Search Manager leads the process of setting up calls and meetings to bring on board new nominators. This individual should plan to meet with at least 4 new nominators each month. Meetings with nominators are usually done over the phone or video conference unless they are local.
• Strengthening existing nominator partnerships: Through research and learning conversations, the Associate Search Manager identifies and implements a strategy to better engage and build a community for our existing nominators. 
• Travel & Recruitment Trips: As budget and capacity allows, the Associate Search Manager can plan and execute trips to relevant geographies to support recruitment efforts. 
• Connecting with Prospective Applicants & Entrepreneurs: The Associate Search Manager schedules discovery calls with prospective applicants and leads for current and future programs. This individual should expect to reach out to new prospective applicants on a weekly basis.

Marketing: The Watson Institute Search & Admissions team deploys paid social media ads (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn), paid Opportunity Sites (Opportunity Desk, ProFellow), and other forms of digital marketing (Webinars, Newsletters, etc.) to increase the reach of our programs, attract applicants, and build our cohorts. The responsibilities of this will include:

• Create Monthly Content: For social media channels, will create compelling monthly content based on programs happening.
• Building & Running Ads: In conjunction with colleagues, the Associate Search Manager will implement digital ads including the content creation and approval, targeting, and analytics. 
• Oversee Opportunity Sites: The Associate Search Manager will keep an ongoing list of Opportunity Sites and decide which ones are most relevant for the outreach that is being done. 
• Identify & Implement New Strategies: As budget and capacity allows, the Associate Search Manager will research and recommend ways in which we can elevate our marketing efforts to increase reach, leads, and enrollment for our programs. 

Fellow Admissions & Selection (20% of time)

Selection & Admission: The Associate Search Manager will support the selection process for the Fellowships. The Associate Search Manager will ensure the proper admissions processes are being followed and utilized. This includes:

• Written Application Review: Reviewing and scoring written applications.
• Conducting Interviews: Interviewing and scoring each finalist.
• Acceptance & Onboarding: Communicating admissions decisions and working alongside the programs team. 

Data Management & Analysis (10% of time)

The Associate Search Manager will be responsible for creating, updating, and managing reports via Salesforce. This will include:

• Per cycle recruitment analytics across outreach channels.
• Recruitment market data management and analysis. 
• Paid Marketing Reach, Leads & Inquiries, Applications, Yield, Enrollment, Melt analysis.

Lead Immersives (20% of time)

The Associate Search Manager will be responsible for making two trips each year to Boulder, CO (and other possible locations in the US) for hands-on, immersive experiences with our teams and Fellows. This will include:

• Supporting Fellows with travel and visa logistics. 
• Facilitating sessions for the Fellows. 
• Work alongside the Events Team, who will be supporting Program Operations in-person, to ensure all logistics are in place for the immersive experience. 

*New responsibilities may develop as the Associate Search Manager position evolves.