Business Executives: Volunteer for a year with Stanford. Make a lifetime impact.

Stanford Seed coaches work side by side with entrepreneurs in Africa, South Asia, and Indonesia to help them transform their companies into industry leaders and job creators. All aspects of management — leadership, product design, finance, marketing, supply chain, and more — factor into these plans.

Seed is all about action and results. To that end, a small group of high-potential leaders who have completed the Seed Transformation Program are selected to receive one year of high-touch business coaching. As a Seed coach, you’ll engage directly with these leaders and their companies, on the ground, in their communities. Because we believe that’s the only way real change happens.

Helping companies achieve transformation takes hard work and a sustained commitment. Coach responsibilities include living in the region and working intensely with eight to ten companies during the year-long service. Travel is an integral part of the Seed coach position as well. Expect to spend 25% to 50% of your time visiting company sites and/or offices.

Eligibility

Minimum qualifications include:

• At least 10 years of professional business experience, including several years of hands-on management in senior-level positions
• Demonstrated success in managing companies or significant operational divisions that had aggressive goals
• A successful track record of conceiving and executing strategies to grow businesses rapidly or to create new products and services that underlie new businesses
• A high level of adaptability, team orientation, collaborative focus, and a demonstration of having thrived in new contexts
• Passion for and commitment to Seed’s mission
• Fluency in English; for Seed West Africa, conversational proficiency in French is desired but not required

Applicants do not have to be affiliated with Stanford or have an MBA in order to apply. Experience working or living in an emerging market is highly valued, but not required.

Benefits

Seed coaches are provided with the following benefits:

• Round-trip economy airfare to and from the assigned region
• Housing for the duration of the assignment
• Living stipend for day-to-day expenses
• Settling-in allowance
• In-country support from Seed program staff
• International health insurance and emergency evacuation insurance
• Transportation and lodging when visiting portfolio companies

These benefits are designed to cover basic costs associated with participation in the program. Depending on personal spending habits and desired quality of life, coaches may need to budget additional funds.