Job Purpose
This role involves overseeing the planning, execution, and evaluation of the product development cycles for ideas stage projects, with a strong background in software and hardware based prototyping experiences and a passion for mentoring. The ultimate goal is to drive the success of ideas to become user-centered designs and innovative solutions as well as to support accelerated startup ventures to clarify their product roadmap to support growth. This role requires a combination of creativity, problem-solving, and the ability to guide others in the design and product development process.
Major Accountabilities
Responsibilities:
Train and mentor idea stage founders to:
o Refine and validate their product concepts.
o Conduct market research and competitive analysis to identify opportunities and potential challenges.
o Develop product roadmaps and timelines.
o Create low fidelity prototypes and work towards developing a minimum viable products (MVPs) for testing and validation with customers.
Train and mentor startup stage founders to:
o Develop product-led growth strategies and refine the product for less friction, and faster growth.
o Optimize user acquisition, activation, retention, and revenue generation.
o Analyze user data and metrics to inform product improvements.
o Develop and implement growth experiments and A/B testing.
o Refine and focus their product roadmap and align it with future investment rounds.
General Product Development:
o Stay up-to-date with industry trends, technologies, and best practices.
o Mentor and coach founders on product development principles.
o Collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g., engineering, design, marketing) to ensure successful product launches.
o Contribute to the development of product development processes and tools.
o Provide mentorship and support to startups and participants in different programs from different aspects:
o Utilize rapid prototyping tools to quickly iterate on design concepts, enabling efficient testing and validation.
o Create wireframes, user flows, and interactive prototypes to communicate design ideas and user experiences effectively.
o Conduct usability testing to gather user feedback and refine designs accordingly.
o Helping them develop and implement innovative solutions.
o Conduct user research to understand target audiences, user behaviors, and market trends.
o Analyze research findings and translate them into actionable design insights that improve user satisfaction and engagement.
Project Management:
o Manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality work.
o Effective communication with the team and other stakeholders effectively.
o Create and maintain project plans, budgets, and timelines.
o Serve as a point of contact for participants, ensuring timely and effective communication.
o Create and deliver clear and compelling messages to stakeholders and participate in briefing marketing teams about projects to attract the right founders and participants.
o Establish mechanisms for gathering and analyzing feedback and perceptions from stakeholders. Use feedback to improve engagement and future collaboration continuously.
Tools and Networks:
o Stay up to date on industry services and best practices.
o Build and maintain relationships with service providers, tools and platforms that support prototyping, wireframing, low-code/no-code development, 3D printing …etc o Guide participants towards the best tools, methods, and partners to develop their prototypes and product demos.
o Maintain strong network and relationships with KAUST proto-typing lab team and other facilities to support founders on and off campus.
o Identify and establish partnerships with local and international organizations to enhance community support, provide expert training, or detailed mentorship and consultation.
o Collaborate with partners to provide resources and opportunities for the program participants.
Reporting and Documentation:
o Maintain records of interactions, feedback, and engagement activities for each program.
o Prepare regular reports for management, stakeholders, and internal teams.
Person Requirements
Competencies & Experience
Design thinking training and certification in addition to hands on design sprints and implementation workshop experience
Prototyping and wireframing experience in startup or venture studio setting.
Visual and interaction design background and proven track record.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Excellent organizational and project management skills.
Ability to analyze and interpret data to drive decisions.
Proficiency in using CRM systems, project management tools, and Microsoft Office Suite.
Passion for entrepreneurship and innovation.
Strong problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Strategic thinker and problem solver
Experience with product-led growth frameworks and metrics.
Knowledge of design thinking and user experience (UX) principles.
Experience with product development tools (e.g., Figma, Jira, Asana).
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Healthy balance of technical abilities and busienss acumen
Proficiency in English is required; proficiency in Arabic is a plus
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
7+ years of experience in entrepreneurship, product development or software prototyping.
Demonstrated experience and training design tools and software, including proficiency in web and mobile frameworks.
Demonstrated experience and training hardware design tools including CAD, PCB design, 3D Printing.
Proven track record in project management, stakeholder engagement, and community building.
اطلب مساعدة الخبراء لكتابة سيرة ذاتية مميزة.