Innovation Program Manager (Senior)

About This Role

Innovation Program Manager (Full-time, Part-time or Consultation)

About Setup.sa:

Setup.sa is a Saudi Consulting firm specializing in softlanding and market entry solutions for international companies. We pride ourselves in being a knowledge house, driven by technology.

Setup.sa was able to leave a mark and build its name in the competitive Saudi market in an exceptionally short time. We are currently one of the fastest growing firms in Saudi Arabia, doubling our number of clients on a monthly basis.

As we scale, we still strive to offer operational excellence while changing the way softlanding is done in KSA and raising the bar for the standards of service provision in our sector, pushing the expectations of the clients and the market higher.

Being a consulting house, we exist to ensure that the process and journey for foreign companies’ incorporation and operations is done in the easiest and most cost-efficient way possible.

As this is our North Star, we could build the highest-value solution in the market and subsequently serve some of the top companies and renowned startups around the world along with multiple government programs. We keep our promises to exceed our clients’ expectations by always going the extra mile, even if the client doesn’t get to know about it.

The people working with us expect a lot from themselves and are interested in building solutions that change the way the industry works. They have strong ambitions to achieve exceptional success personally and professionally.

Our team is performance-driven and serious. And we would like to invite you to work with us and become a part of a growing company that has a credible brand name and enjoy an exceptional learning journey.

Job Title:

Innovation Program Manager

Seniority Level:

Mid-senior Level

Job Type:

Full-time, Part-time or Consultation

Job Location:

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Role Overview:

The Innovation Program Manager leads the design and execution of incubation, acceleration and venture building programs in Setup.sa, guiding startups across the full journey from idea validation to go-to-market. The role focuses on building and managing the entrepreneurship ecosystem by connecting founders with mentors, partners, and investors. It also ensures the successful delivery, growth, and impact of innovation programs aligned with strategic objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Design, develop, and continuously improve incubation, acceleration and venture building programs covering the full innovation lifecycle from idea validation to go-to-market.
2. Identify and attract high-potential startups and entrepreneurs locally and internationally.
3. Guide startups through key stages including problem validation, solution design, MVP (Minimum Viable Product) development, product-market fit, and scaling.
4. Oversee the progress of startups within the program, and support founders in developing clear business models, value propositions, and go-to-market strategies.
5. Attract and manage relationships with investors, venture capital firms, angel networks, and funding entities.
6. Facilitate investor readiness for startups through pitch coaching, financial modeling guidance, and preparation of investment materials, while organizing demo days, investor meetings, and networking events to connect startups with funding opportunities.
7. Build strategic partnerships with corporates, government entities, and ecosystem players to support program objectives.
8. Establish a strong network of mentors, advisors, and industry experts, ensuring relevant and high-quality support for startups.
9. Monitor market trends, emerging technologies, and innovation practices to continuously enhance the program.
10. Manage program operations including planning, budgeting, resource allocation, and reporting.

Required Qualifications:

• Experience of 8+ years in innovation management, entrepreneurship and startup ecosystems
• Proven experience in designing and managing incubation, acceleration and venture building programs
• Strong hands-on experience across the full startup lifecycle from idea stage to scaling and go-to-market
• Deep understanding of the Saudi market and its entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem.
• Experience in attracting and managing funding partners, investors, or venture capital relationships
• Solid experience in stakeholder management across founders, investors, mentors, corporates, and government entities
• Strong understanding of emerging technologies and innovation trends (e.g., AI, fintech, sustainability), along with proficiency in using work management tools (e.g., Notion, Asana)
• Bachelor’s degree
• Preferred: master’s degree (MBA or equivalent)
• Fluent in both Arabic and English