ASCENT, Program Manager
About Japan ASCENT Program
Japan is a global leader in science and engineering, boasting world-class universities and high levels of research and development (R&D) investment. Yet its innovation ecosystem faces a persistent challenge: translating research excellence into startups, industries, and global impact. Limited commercialization pathways constrain the ambitions of Japanese researchers, contributing to talent leakage and slowing economic renewal.
The Government of Japan’s Global Startup Campus (GSC) Initiative was launched to transform this dynamic by attracting world-class researchers, startups, and investors, and by piloting ambitious programs in international research, venture building, and fellowships.
Renaissance Philanthropy’s flagship contribution to this effort is the ASCENT Program — a Japan-based initiative to strengthen translational research capabilities. The ASCENT program will include: deploying the Renaissance Philanthropy’s Big if True Science (BiTS) Accelerator program to train Venture Directors (VDs) in Japan, science leaders capable of designing and implementing ambitious R&D programs; designing and implementing an ambitious research program focused on climate technology; and training a pipeline of next-generation science leaders through the BRIDGE fellowship program.
Role Overview
The ASCENT Program Manager will support the design, implementation, and ongoing delivery of ASCENT’s initiatives. This role sits at the heart of the program, coordinating events, workshops, and research activities to ensure the smooth delivery of the ASCENT program’s ambitious goals.
The key initiatives you will support include:
The delivery of two BiTS cohorts in Japan, which will recruit and train potential Venture Directors
The execution of a research program which will include hosting workshops, running events, managing requests for proposals, and engaging with researchers and partners
The delivery of an international fellowship program
Role and Responsibilities
Program Development and Implementation
Support the ASCENT Executive Director, VD, and Technical Specialist in designing and executing research themes, challenge calls, and requests for proposals.
Coordinate and manage day-to-day program operations: manage workshops, events, and showcases to connect researchers, investors, and stakeholders.
Coordinate a BiTS Cohort and program in partnership with the BiTS team in the US and UK.
Implement operational systems and processes to ensure ASCENT activities run efficiently and to the highest standards.
Research and Participant Support
Support outreach, recruitment, and onboarding of researchers and partners into ASCENT activities.
Build relationships with Japanese research institutions, universities, and ecosystem players to foster integration to support PI recruitment for open calls.
Collect feedback from participants and partners to identify opportunities for refining program delivery.
Strategy and Impact Tracking
Support development of operational plans and strategies, subject to approval by the VD and Director of Operations.
Track program milestones and outcomes to ensure delivery against GSC requirements.
Document program learnings and contribute to playbooks and frameworks for future ARPA-style programming in Japan.
Required Qualifications
5+ years of program management or coordination experience, ideally within research, innovation, or entrepreneurial settings.
Familiarity with Japan’s science and innovation landscape
Fluency in Japanese and English.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; comfortable engaging with researchers, partners, and government stakeholders.
Ability to prioritize, organize, and deliver in a fast-paced, ambitious, and uncertain environment.
Values
You will thrive within our team if you:
Have strong mission and vision alignment: You believe in the power of science, innovation, and technology to create a brighter future for all.
Exhibit high agency: You can move mountains and break perceived constraints.
Inspire others and are highly collaborative: You can motivate others to join your mission and goals. You understand the value of going further by working with others.
Value exceptional talent and the power of networks: You can spot or nurture exceptional talent and believe in the value of building networks and the power law of talent.
Are comfortable working in fast-moving and ambitious teams: You are not afraid of ambiguity and enjoy working at pace.
Diversity
We encourage anyone who is interested in this role to apply, regardless of whether you feel you meet 100% of the qualifications. The top candidates will bring their own unique perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds from a variety of industries along with many but not necessarily all the skills listed above.
Recruiting, hiring, mentoring, and retaining a diverse workforce is critical to our success. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
Renaissance Philanthropy is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Salary
We will provide a competitive salary between ¥12.0 million to ¥21 million JPY ($80,000 - $140,000) depending on the right candidate.
Next Steps