Program Director (Global Parkinson's Genetics Program)

Job Title: Program Director (Global Parkinson’s Genetics Program)

Position Summary:
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (“the Foundation”) is seeking top talent for its Program Director position. Reporting to the VP, Head of Clinical Research, this role is responsible for aligning the Foundation’s investments in coordinated clinical programs with the Foundation’s broader scientific goals. Coordination of and investment in large-scale clinical programs that study individuals across the disease spectrum and produce open access, field-enabling data and biological sample resources is critical to advancing the field’s understanding of Parkinson’s disease risk, onset, and progression, thereby fostering the development of transformative Parkinson’s disease treatments.

Success in this role will ensure that the Foundation remains a field leader in developing resources to drive patient-centered drug development for Parkinson’s disease. This position serves as a key liaison between internal stakeholders and external partners to ensure the Foundation’s flagship clinical programs advance the Foundation’s broader research agenda and drive field-wide innovation in Parkinson’s therapeutic development.

This position may be hybrid-flex with the opportunity to work from the Foundation’s office in NYC or based remotely from anywhere within the U.S.

Key Responsibilities:

Identify, scope, and execute strategic programs against the Foundation’s Clinical Research priorities and Research Business Unit vision in collaboration with the Foundation’s Research leadership, strategic funding partners, clinical program leadership, and external advisors

Delegate work to, coach, and oversee work product of project and relationship managers focused on accelerating clinical-stage research in Parkinson’s to ensure achievement of clinical program deliverables; provide feedback to people managers that can inform performance management of project and relationship managers

Oversee project/program-level budgets and hold team accountable to annual financial targets

Oversee ongoing refinement and dissemination of the Foundation’s operational best practices for clinical programs, including global cohort studies

Maintain intelligence on trends and upcoming challenges in the clinical operations landscape for Parkinson’s and related disorders; anticipate field needs to prioritize the Foundation’s research funding and stakeholder engagement

Manage strategic plans at all stages from concept development, acquiring internal and external buy-in, resource allocation, risk monitoring, and problem-solving as issues arise

Provide quality review/quality assurance to the Foundation’s coordinated clinical programs with focus on mitigating risk as a sponsor and implementation partner

Serve as a thought and accountability partner on cross-functional initiatives and tracking progress against department, business unit, and organizational key performance indicators

Support annual strategic planning for the Clinical Research team (e.g., prioritization and allocation of resourcing, identifying, and scoping annual strategic imperatives, assessing performance against funding and scientific goals)

Cultivate successful working relationships up and across the organizational hierarchy, including anticipating and addressing the needs of Research leadership and other senior executives, creating executive-level communications to communicate strategic impact of the Foundation’s Clinical Research activities, and driving cross-functional alignment against major business unit and enterprise-level programs and projects

Build strong relationships with clinical program leadership, clinical program operational partners, clinical study and site network personnel, key opinion leaders, strategic funding partners, and the patient and participant community

Qualifications and Skills:

Proven experience in biopharma, healthcare consulting, clinical research, public health, including previous program management responsibilities

Proven matrix management and team leadership experience

Working knowledge and interest in clinical research practices

Demonstrated commitment to and knowledge of principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in personal and/or professional settings

Proven experience in identifying short and long-term program needs, creatively formulating plans with cross-functional input, efficiently achieving timely decisions/alignment, and organizing and deploying resources

Proven ability to influence cross-functionally and drive alignment among the team, with peers, and with senior leadership; demonstrable level of executive presence

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; ability to articulate program vision and motivate the team; ability to ensure broader organization is aligned with and aware of program strategy, status, and risks

Strong decision-making abilities amidst ambiguity; ability to make judgment calls on tough issues and own that responsibility

Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills, including team-based problem-solving approaches

Financial acumen and experience managing budgets

Willingness and ability to travel nationally and internationally (up to 15%)

Salary and Benefits:
The salary range for this position is $140,000 - $160,000. In addition to salary, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

15+ options for medical insurance (with the Foundation paying 90 percent of the premiums)

Competitive dental and vision plans

401(k) plan with 6 percent employer contribution

Flexible spending accounts

Employer paid life and disability insurance

18 Vacation Days; 12 Well-Being (Sick) Days; 2 Personal Days; summer Fridays (office closure at 2pm) and a summer holiday week over July 4

Two ways of working: hybrid-flex, or remote work. We trust all employees to work closely with their manager and colleagues to determine when, where and how programs and projects get done.

Employees are also eligible for a discretionary bonus on an annual basis. The Foundation provides staff and leadership cultivation through regular training courses and events.

How to Apply:
Interested candidates should submit a resume and thoughtful cover letter describing through examples, their specific qualifications and interest in the position. If you think that your skills are transferable and can add value to this role, please apply. Applicants who best match the position’s needs will be contacted.

About Us:
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research was founded in 2000 with one clear objective: accelerating meaningful therapeutic advances and, ultimately, a cure for Parkinson’s disease (PD). The Foundation applies extraordinary scientific, business and media assets to this singular focus—thus creating a unique and dynamic organization. Since inception, the Foundation has quickly grown into the largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson’s disease research, having funded over $2 billion in research projects in both academic and industry labs worldwide.

Visit www.michaeljfox.org for more information.

  Research has shown that people from marginalized communities apply to roles only when they meet 100% of the job requirements. If you think that your skills are transferable and can add value to this role, and you are someone who will contribute to our efforts to build and support a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce, we strongly encourage you to apply.

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