Program Manager (Korea)
500 Global, South Korea
Job Description
We uplift people and economies around the world through entrepreneurship.
Who We Are
500 Global is a venture capital firm that invests early in founders building fast-growing technology companies. We focus on markets where technology, innovation, and capital can unlock long-term value and drive economic growth. We work closely with key stakeholders and advise governments and corporations on how best to support entrepreneurial ecosystems so startups can thrive.
500 Global has backed over 6,000 founders representing more than 2,500 companies operating in 77 countries. Our portfolio includes 41 companies valued at over $1 billion and 125 companies valued at over $100 million. Our 140+ plus team members are located in more than 15 countries and bring experience as entrepreneurs, investors, and operators from some of the world’s leading technology companies.
We are looking for an amazing Program Manager to join our Korea program team, to be based out of Daejeon for a period of 12 months. You will report to the APAC Regional Director, Programs.
You share our passion for uplifting people and economies around the world through entrepreneurship. You understand a founder’s journey and thrive in entrepreneurial, creative, fast-paced environments. You bring with you superb organizational and project management skills, keen attention to details, and a strong ability to navigate and build relationships.
This role will be the key to a successful initiative which includes various types of startup programs and events. You will be responsible for ensuring the successful execution of all the activities run, creating a positive experience for all participants.
Responsibilities can include program design and adaptation, curriculum planning, mentor selection and scheduling, startup recruitment and selection, partner and client management, budget management, data tracking and reporting, community engagement activities, and working with the team to build and maintain 500 Global’s presence locally. You will be interacting with founders, mentors, and other program stakeholders on a daily basis. Experience with program management, as well as familiarity with the early stage venture-backed ecosystem across Korea, is preferred.
Key Responsibilities Include (but are not limited to):
- Oversee the initiative end-to-end, including but not limited to curriculum adaptation, program planning, budget management, marketing, and recruiting startups and mentors.
- Implement and ensure the successful delivery of the program, including optimizing startup engagement and measuring startup satisfaction
- Partner and client management together with the rest of the team, as well as administrative duties
- Keep track of program data and cohort information, and create reports to share with internal and external stakeholders
- Take lead on all program prep and execution, ensuring everything and everyone are where they need to be
- Together with the other team members, drive community engagement by planning and executing social events for program founders and local startup ecosystem
- Continuously manage and generate brand awareness around 500 Global, the initiative, and our founders, including establishing strong relationships with key stakeholders
Requirements
Must haves
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
- A working knowledge of spoken and written Korean
- Be one of the most organized people you know
- Exceptional attention to detail
- Experience in multitasking
- Capability to learn amp; adapt quickly
- Self-starter amp; prioritize to get tasks done efficiently
- Ability to work in a fast paced, rapidly changing environment under pressure
- Global and cultural awareness, be excited about working in a diverse environment with different types of people from around the world speaking different languages
- Passionate about startups
- Must be able to communicate and work with a team across several time zones
- Work authorization in Daejeon, Korea
Nice to have
- Founder experience, or part of a startup’s founding team
- Relationship management experience
- Experience working internationally
- Familiarity with cross cultural business
- Experience coordinating large-scale events
- Experience within the startup ecosystem