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About TKS:
TKS is a global human accelerator that partners with top innovators like Google, Neurable, OpenAI, SpaceX, DeepMind, NASA, and the United Nations to develop the next generation of impact-leaders, innovators, CEOs, and scientists through coaching and project-based learning.
Our graduates have founded venture-backed companies with focuses ranging from nuclear-powered ships to AI-enhanced batteries, pioneering blockchain infrastructure, and innovative medical devices.
Learn about the inspiring journeys of our recent alumni, including:
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Samarth Athreya, a TKS 2017 alum and founder of Axiome, known for its cutting-edge biosensors for molecular diagnostics.
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Adam Majmudar, from TKS 2019, became the founding engineer at Thirdweb, now valued at $160M.
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Jay Parthasarthy, TKS 2016 alum, early employee at Sequoia-backed AI startup, Tecton, now at Atomic Semi
You can think of TKS as a hybrid between Y-Combinator/McKinsey, but instead of building unicorn companies we’re building unicorn people and instead of providing world-class guidance to CEOs, we’re doing that for young people (ages 13 - 17). See Program Overview for more details.
The Program Director Position:
Program Directors are responsible for delivering our 10-month program to 80-120 students. Our Director team is uniquely composed of ex-founders, Scientists, Engineers, VCs, Management Consultants, Product leaders, and more who have a passion for unlocking potential, and want to help make a difference in the world.
With prior experience at top companies including McKinsey, J&J, MIT, and SpaceX, our Directors coach from their first-hand experience working in industry.
Location: Remote (North America or EU Time Zones)
Reporting To: Brandon Jennings, Head of Program
Position: Full-Time Position, Non-Regular Hours
Starting: July 2024
What you’ll be doing:
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Deliver the TKS program: with weekly sessions on topics including AI, Brain-Computer Interfaces, Quantum Computing, Robotics, + more. Discuss their use in solving major global issues like climate change, energy poverty, and elderly quality of life to name a few.
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Offer personalized coaching: and guidance in one-on-one sessions, covering diverse topics like transforming rubber waste into clean fuel in South Africa or revolutionizing Indian home insurance with generative AI. This role demands intellectual rigor and an ability to coach students to set high standards and think critically.
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Develop an engaged community and culture within your program.
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Create unique experiential opportunities for students (e.g. attending conferences/events, guest speakers, company tours, and lab tours/opportunities). Our students and alumni have presented at Web Summit, Collision, SXSW, C2, TEDx and more. Watch presentations here.
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Learn about exponential technologies through our curriculum and facilitate discussions on the future, including philosophical and economic implications.
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Review applications and interview students who apply to your program.
Experience we're looking for:
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5+ years of work experience.
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Leadership experience, including managing teams and mentoring others.
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A deep level of experience in one of the following: Technology, Science, Start-ups, International Development/NGOs, Education & Teaching, Consulting, Finance, or Engineering
Note: You do not need to have a background in emerging technologies or have strong technical abilities. If you do, it's a bonus.
Traits we're looking for:
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You have a passion for mentorship, an interest in working with young people, and helping others grow.
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You have an interest in the future, including how emerging technologies and sciences can be used to solve problems.
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Ability to facilitate sessions (both 1:1 and 1:Many) towards a clear outcome
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Exceptional storytelling, communication and EQ - ability to actively listen, gain buy-in, and problem solve
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Structured Thinking: You routinely use mental models and systems thinking to break down wicked problems and simplify complexity
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You have a growth mindset, learn from failure, and value feedback.
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You enjoy philosophical discussions about life, morality, virtues, and thought experiments. You have read about philosophers like Aristotle, Socrates, and Laozi.
Bonus points if you have:
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Built technology in hard sciences such as aerospace, electrical engineering, biotech or other
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Previously founded a start-up
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Researched and discovered breakthroughs
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Are an olympic athlete or elite competitor
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Have taken an unconventional path that has brought you closer to personal fulfillment
Reasons to Apply:
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Be the coach you wish you had - train the next generation of disruptors, innovators and CEOs.
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We believe that emerging technologies can solve the world’s largest problems.
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Find brain space to be creative and advance your ideas in a future-forward environment where the latest technical and scientific advancements are celebrated and applied.
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Contribute to TKS momentum as we expand globally on a mission to impact billions.
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Challenge yourself in a team that rewards curiosity, discussion and self-improvement.
Working at TKS:
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We're a hybrid team of ~30 full-time staff, based in Canada and the US, with a small but growing HQ hub in Calgary, AB.
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Collaboration and building relationships are important to us, and we conduct regular team and company-wide off-sites to get to know each other better. We just returned from Florida! ☀️
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Effort is appreciated. Approach is praised. Execution is loved.
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We have a big feedback culture
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We hold each other to high standards.
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There is no formal start/end to a day. You decide how to optimize your time to achieve success in your role, but make sure to communicate and be accessible on Slack. We care about performance, not perception.
Resources to learn more about TKS
Below we've included some resources that you can check out to get a deeper understanding about TKS, including podcasts from our founders and videos of our students.
🎬 Video: TKS Our Mission
🎬Video: TKS Student Experience
🎬Video: TKS: World’s Top Innovation Program
🎙️Podcast: Nadeem & TKS Philosophy
🎬TEDx Talk: Human Potential
Top Skills
What We Do
Training the next generation of innovators to impact billions.
In TKS, students are exposed to emerging STEM fields that are shaping the future of our world. Through knowledge sharing, building presentations, and working on real challenges with real companies, students will build a solid foundation for social impact entrepreneurship.
Students in TKS are between the ages of 13-17. They are curious and ambitious teens who are passionate about changing the world. They are all students who are craving a community of like-minded people.
Students are exposed to 40+ emerging technologies that are shaping the future of our world. Every student is encouraged to explore several areas of focus, so they can eventually find their true passion. Within their chosen focus areas, a student will build projects, write articles, and make videos that showcase their research and growing subject matter expertise.
The goal? Develop passion and credibility.
At TKS we focus on developing a growth mindset that encourages confidence, optimism, and independence. We help students build reliable mental models they can leverage when making difficult decisions.
The goal? Build the mental stamina required to maintain drive and joyful fulfillment.
There are 4 Areas of Personal Development at TKS:
1. Mindset: Students are intentional in developing and discussing their mindset every week.
2. Networks: Students learn how to build their own network of advisors to propel their success.
3. Confidence: Students complete discomfort challenges to gain confidence.
4. Wisdom: Students discover what drives them, so they can sustain their ambition into adulthood.
Why Work With Us
Program Directors are responsible for delivering the 10-month TKS program to 80-120 students. Our directors have a passion for unlocking potential, want to help make a difference in the world, and have unique backgrounds/experiences.
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