Associate Director, Program Operations

Job Title: Associate Director, Program Operations

Position Summary:

The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) is seeking top talent for its Associate Director, Program Operations position. The Associate Director (AD) Program Operations position is focused on supporting the business process of The Foundation’s funding portfolios by playing a critical role in designing and planning the operational component of programs. The AD position presents a unique opportunity to partner with department leads across the Research Programs and Partnerships Business Unit to operationalize the strategic goals of research programs. This role will oversee an operational team that supports MJFF’s grant funding and may either lead or support special projects to strengthen MJFF’s research operations. The ideal candidate for this position has a proven track record of leading teams to deliver results, is excited about developing and implementing tools, processes and procedures, approaches program operations in a way that is centered on a “customer service” mindset and has communication skills to build support.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

Provide direction and integrative coordination in the planning, development, and implementation of a set of programs within a department
Manage directly, or within a matrix, a team of project managers who support the operations of the Research Programs and Partnerships Business Unit
Project manage complex, multi-party initiatives; provide business and strategic leadership while building, implementing, and managing projects
Establish and implement short- and long-range goals, objectives, and operating procedures; monitor and evaluate operational effectiveness and effects changes required for improvement
Aid senior management in the identification of operational and strategic risks and the development of mitigation strategies along with contingency options
Oversee all facets of the department’s daily program operations including developing and managing an annual budget
Collaborate with priority area leads during strategic planning to connect dots across portfolio areas to ensure efficient use of staff and funding resources toward our holistic research mission
Lead development and execution of strategic workstreams that are coordinated across research departments
Lead holistic alignment of initiatives and research planning linked to individual priority area strategy with an eye toward improving efficiency of resource allocation (staff and funding) and accelerating progress toward the Foundation’s mission
Lead employees to meet the organization’s and department’s expectations for productivity, quality, continuous improvement, and goal accomplishment. This includes coaching and reviewing the work of others within program/project management
Develop understanding and acumen in the Foundation’s processes and policies to guide and support the team in planning, development, and implementation of a set of programs within a department
Facilitate staff onboarding & training on a periodic basis, with a focus on supporting project management team growth & development
Leverage grants management and project management applications to monitor staff workloads, ensure effective handoffs, & monitor and periodically report on key metrics related to compliance and grants administration team performance

Qualifications and Skills:

At least five years' experience in operations, administration or combination thereof required, with professional experience in philanthropy, non-profit, or other social sector work a plus
History of proven success supporting a team, including coaching and reviewing the work of others on a program or project
Demonstrated program and project management skills, with a 3–5 year history of successfully supporting complex projects; knowledge of and experience in project management tools and methodologies strongly preferred
Ability to translate scientific concept and research goals into operational activities such as risk assessment, strategy setting, and tactical planning
Entrepreneurial mindset; proactive and solutions-focused attitude
Highly organized and proven ability to balance a dynamic workload effectively
Strong written and verbal communication and presentation skills
Commitment to teamwork; ability to collaborate and manage projects with and through others

Salary and Benefits:

The salary range for this position is $80,000 - $90,000. In addition to salary, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

15+ options for medical insurance (with MJFF 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 days Paid Time Off (PTO); 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. MJFF 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 (MJFF) 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, MJFF 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.

Vaccination Statement

At The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF), the health and safety of our team and our community is a priority. MJFF has made the decision to require all staff receive the COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment. Successful applicants for this position must be fully vaccinated by date of hire and proof of vaccine is required. Full vaccination is defined as two weeks after both doses of two-dose vaccine or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine has been administered. Anyone unable to be vaccinated, because of medical or religious reasons, can request a reasonable accommodation for consideration.

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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