Managing Director - Berkeley

About Activate Global 

Activate empowers scientists to reinvent our world and address climate change by bringing their research to market. The Activate Fellowship provides the funding, technical support, networking, community, and time that these scientists need at the outset of their entrepreneurial journey.

Our team brings a diversity of experience and a deep track record to helping our fellows bridge the science-to-market gap. Activate was founded in 2015 by entrepreneurs, scientists, and investors, and our entrepreneurial fellowship model originated at Cyclotron Road, a division of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and an Activate partner. Today, through our Berkeley and Boston locations, we support 20-30 Activate Fellows each year. By 2025, we plan to support up to 100 fellows each year at eight locations across the U.S.

Activate exists to create a better future, for all. In service of this purpose, we are building a foundation of equity and inclusivity across our business, including our operations, our fellowship, our partnerships, and our brand.

Position Summary

The Managing Director will lead Activate Berkeley, serving as primary advisor for our growing community of fellows in Berkeley. She/he will provide leadership to the Activate Global team and external stakeholders across academia, industry, finance, and government as we work to create the world’s leading platform to support the earliest stages of science entrepreneurship. The Managing Director will be a member of the Activate executive team, reporting to the Executive Managing Director. 

Primary Responsibilities:

• Serve as Managing Director and primary advisor for our cross-disciplinary community of entrepreneurial fellows based in Berkeley, California.

• Drive successful fellowship outcomes for each individual fellow, providing mentorship, support, network connectivity, and resources 

• Oversee core elements of the fellowship, including review and selection of fellows, goal setting, advisory board formation, 1:1 mentorship,quarterly board meetings, and weekly educational programming

• Support ongoing design and management of the organization and program.
• Manage our partnership with Berkeley Lab and other local partners
• Build collaborative, cross-functional relationships with staff and partners to ensure the program operates effectively and efficiently.
• Represent Activate at an executive level with public and private sector stakeholders from across the technology innovation ecosystem 
• Engage with current and potential government and philanthropic sponsors 

Requirements

The ideal candidate...

• Has an advanced degree in the physical or biological sciences and a minimum of 10 years experience in research, development, management, and commercialization of science-driven technologies, with entrepreneurial experience as leader of a new company or business unit
• Has led high-performance technical teams and has demonstrated a commitment to nurturing talent through mentorship
• Has a strong network and reputation among stakeholders from across the innovation ecosystem (academia, industry, finance, and government) 
• Strongly exhibits objectivity, empathy, and inclusiveness in leadership
• Is an excellent communicator and collaborator
• Can manage a complex, dynamic portfolio of projects and stakeholders
• Believes in the power of science innovation to combat climate change and create a more sustainable, resilient, equitable global economy
• Has debated the merits of venture capital as a source of funding for early-stage hard technology companies, and is supportive of a broad range of finance and business models for advancing hard tech to market
• Would be excited to wake up each day asking the question, “what can I do to make our fellows successful?”

Values

Activate’s culture is built around the following values

• We put people first through mutual support, respect, and continuous improvement
• We live in trust, acting with authenticity, integrity, and a presumption of good intention 
• We appreciate experimentation, using data to improve and accepting that failure and discomfort are necessary for growth
• We create value through connection and building community
• We are guided by intention and are purpose-driven to improve society

Activate Global, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity, and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status. We will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.