Associate Director, AI Venture Lab

Mission

At INSEAD’s AI Venture Lab (AVL) - we aren’t just observing the AI revolution; we are driving it. We are looking for an Associate Director to be the operational heartbeat and strategic co‑pilot of our lab. You will translate bold visions into a world‑class founder experience, bridging the gap between cutting‑edge research and market‑disrupting ventures.

Why This Role

This isn’t a “business as usual” administrative role. You are the conductor of a high‑octane ecosystem. You will lead our flagship AI Founder Sprint programs, cultivate a “who’s who” network of global founders and industry titans, and use AI to build the lab itself. As the AVL scales, you will have the potential to manage your own lean team and shape the future of entrepreneurship at INSEAD.

Responsibilities

• Scale the Sprint: Own the end‑to‑end delivery of our annual AI Venture Lab Sprint, managing the entire lifecycle—from scouting applications and engaging the community to content creation and orchestrating high‑stakes Demo Days—ensuring every founder walks away with a transformative experience.
• Curate the Ecosystem: Act as the primary bridge between INSEAD’s internal scholars and a global network of industry leaders, alumni, and ecosystem actors. Lead the day‑to‑day delivery of partner relationships, ensuring every commitment is met with operational excellence.
• Amplify the Vision: Expand the Lab’s reach by overseeing and growing all communication channels, ensuring the AI Venture Lab is a visible, leading voice in the global AI entrepreneurship space.
• Build an “Intelligent” Organization: Deploy AI tools and agents to automate workflows and optimize the Lab, while mastering the administrative foundation—handling budgeting, reporting, and navigating legal and procurement policies to ensure a seamless, compliant operation.
• Strategic Evolution & Leadership: Contribute to the evolution of our operating model, and eventually recruit and lead a dedicated team as we scale our impact.

Ideal Candidate Profile

We are looking for an entrepreneurial professional who thrives in fast‑paced, intellectually stimulating environments. You enjoy turning abstract ideas into impactful, structured programs.

Your DNA

• AI‑Fluent: Comfortable experimenting with AI tools to automate the mundane and build smarter systems.
• Master of Influence: Negotiation skills and professional polish to navigate a complex, international environment involving both academic rigour and business speed.
• Growth‑Oriented: Natural curiosity and desire to continuously improve processes; resourceful in finding solutions and encouraging innovation within yourself and your future team.

Your Track Record

• Experience: At least 5 years in professional services or a comparable environment, with a proven ability to manage diverse, high‑level stakeholders.
• Operational Excellence: Strong general management skills, balancing strategic thinking with on‑the‑ground execution.
• Communication: Professional fluency in English and a solid understanding of how to bridge the gap between business leaders and academic researchers.
• Leadership Ready: Individual contributor today with appetite and skills to grow into a broader leadership role as the Lab expands.
• Collaboration: Effective across diverse international stakeholders, fostering open communication, and building trusted partnerships to achieve shared goals.
• Growth Mindset: Demonstrates curiosity, adaptability, and a strong desire to learn; embraces change, continuously seeks ways to improve programmes and processes, and encourages innovation for yourself and those you work with.

About Us

At INSEAD, we are proud of our strong international presence and deep connections to the global business community. Guided by our core values: diversity, independence, rigour, and entrepreneurial spirit, we foster a collaborative environment where empathy and integrity are at the heart of every interaction. With a commitment to professionalism and a client‑focused approach, we encourage our team to embrace a growth mindset, driving innovation and delivering exceptional results. Diversity is one of INSEAD’s founding values, and we commit to cultivating a community that pursues equity, exemplifies inclusion, and cherishes diversity in all its dimensions. Our jobs are open to all talents.