Program Director (Global Parkinson's Genetics Program)

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 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 percent)

 Salary and Benefits:
The salary range for this position is $140,000 to $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 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.