Senior Program Associate

About This Role

Senior Program Associate Position

BOLT Consultancy is seeking a full-time role as a Senior Program Associate to take ownership of innovation program delivery and client relationships at our offices in Dubai. This role is perfect for a proven professional with 3-5 years of experience ready to lead projects while developing toward program management responsibilities. The position also requires facilitating sessions, when needed, mentoring startups to ensure impactful program outcomes and could include regional travel requirements depending on the projects.

About BOLT

BOLT is a Dubai-based consultancy specializing in program design and implementation. We help the next generation of entrepreneurs unlock their potential through bespoke training programs, accelerators, hackathons, and mentorship initiatives. Our clients include government entities and corporations seeking innovation solutions, supported by our network of 750+ mentors across 20+ industries in 12 countries.

The Role

As Senior Program Associate, you'll independently lead smaller programs while serving as a mentor and team leader for Program Associates. This is a full-time role based in Dubai, and it combines independent project leadership with team development responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead long-term projects and single-day events independently with minimal supervision
• Serve on major client accounts, coordinating all aspects of delivery
• Craft program solutions and make operational decisions within project scope
• Develop budgets and strategic planning recommendations for management approval
• Set up working schedules and manage timelines directly with clients at the initial stages of the project(s) and is constantly updated to meet client requirements
• Direct supervision of Progr am Associates, providing daily guidance and training
• Quality control oversight of all Program Associate deliverables before client submission
• Conduct client meetings both independently and alongside Program Manager as needed
• Proactively identify upselling and expansion opportunities within existing accounts
• Ensure client satisfaction through exceptional service delivery and relationship management
• Oversee end-to-end program delivery including logistics, coordination, and follow-up
• Balance strategic thinking with hands-on administrative execution
• Identify and implement process improvements based on operational insights

Who You Are

• 3-5 years of relevant experience in program management, client services, or startup ecosystem roles (accelerators, VB, incubators)
• Experience managing multiple concurrent projects and tight deadlines
• Strong delegation and workflow management skills
• Advanced skills in project management platforms: Airtable, Asana, Zoom, ClickUp, Google Suite, Microsoft Office, Slack, Canva
• Fluent in English and Arabic (written and spoken) - Arabic is mandatory
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong presentation and workshop facilitation abilities
• Deep understanding of startup ecosystem, entrepreneurship journey, and innovation programs
• Familiarity with accelerator/incubator models and event management
• Knowledge of MENA region business culture and startup landscape
• Understanding of program design principles and delivery methodologies
• Self-motivated and highly organized with exceptional time management skills
• Comfortable making decisions and taking ownership of both personal

and team outcomes

• Strategice thinker who can execute detailed administrative tasks while building systems

Role Expectations:

• Independent project delivery on time, within budget, with high client satisfaction
• Team development outcomes - progression and performance of direct reports
• Quality control effectiveness - accuracy and improvement in team deliverables