Lead Strategic Program Manager

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.

Core to our philosophy is how we think of our capital and its risk profile relative to other stakeholders in the drug development pipeline. We work aggressively to de-risk various therapeutic strategies and tools in the hopes of building a robust pipeline of new treatments for patients. In order to achieve our mission of finding a cure for PD it is critical that we engage with, and bring together, members of the PD community including researchers, physicians, health professionals and most important, people with Parkinson's and their families.

We believe that to find a cure for PD as quickly as possible, our capital needs to push research forward today—we therefore deliberately hold no endowment or excessive reserves. We instead seek to deploy funds raised as quickly and wisely as possible. MJFF raises over $100 million annually. Today, the Foundation has approximately 300 full-time employees. We offer a collegial and collaborative environment where optimistic problem-solvers and entrepreneurial, resourceful individuals can thrive and make a tangible difference for millions of people living with Parkinson’s disease.

Position Summary:
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (“the Foundation”) is seeking top talent for its Lead Strategic Program Manager position.  Reporting to the VP, Head of Strategic Planning & Insights, this role drives organizational strategy by aligning teams and delivering multiple interconnected strategic initiatives. The position is responsible for initiating successful programs that drive strategic benefits and organizational transformation. This role partners with leadership to define and oversee a list of dependent projects needed to reach the program's overall goals. This position is accountable for enlisting teams, implementing strategies, and measuring return on investment. This role acts as a liaison between various departments, facilitating cross-team collaboration and understanding. The position organizes and tracks initiatives, proactively manages risks, handles project escalations, prioritizes tasks, and meets specific business objectives.

This position may be hybrid-flex with the opportunity to work out of the Foundation’s office in New York City or based remotely within the U.S.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Strategic Program Management: Collaborate with senior leadership to develop and execute comprehensive project plans aligned with the organization's North Star objectives and key results (OKRs); lead and oversee multiple complex programs, ensuring successful execution within scope, timeline and budget. Implement program management best practices to optimize efficiency and effectiveness
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with cross-functional teams, providing leadership and guidance to ensure seamless coordination and collaboration. Foster a collaborative and inclusive working environment to drive collective success
• Risk Management: Identify potential risks and challenges associated with strategic initiatives and develop mitigation plans and flag dependencies on related work. Proactively address issues and obstacles to keep programs on track
• Performance Measurement: Partner with executive leadership to define metrics to measure the success and impact of strategic programs. Regularly evaluate program performance and adjust strategies as needed
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Communicate program goals, progress and outcomes effectively to various audiences
• Innovation and Continuous Improvement: Stay up to date with industry trends and best practices to drive innovation in program management. Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and implement enhancements to existing processes

 Qualifications and Skills:

• Proven leadership and interpersonal skills to effectively manage a diverse project team
• Proficient in executive communication and influence
• Proven analytical and problem-solving abilities to identify potential issues and find effective solutions
• In-depth knowledge of project management methodologies, tools, and best practices
• Time management and organization skills to meet deadlines and manage multiple tasks
• Proven experience with project management and business intelligence tools a plus
• PMP, PgMP or equivalent certifications strongly preferred

Salary and Benefits:
The salary range for this position is $135,000 to $155,000.  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 2 p.m.) 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.

MJFF is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from individuals who will contribute to our efforts to build and support a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce. Diversity may refer to characteristics including, but not limited to, race, religion, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic circumstance, geographic background, ability and disability, political ideology and age.