Senior Associate Director, Discovery & Translational Research

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 250 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 (MJFF) is seeking top talent for its Senior Associate Director, Discovery & Translational Research position.  The position involves developing a scientific strategy for and supporting complex portfolios and programs throughout all stages of grant-making and funding, including proposal development, review, contracting, milestone management and close-out. Troubleshooting and problem-solving skills are crucial for addressing any issues that arise. The role requires shaping and communicating a creative and solutions-focused scientific agenda within the assigned portfolio, leveraging input from the internal team and external advisors. Staying updated on scientific advances and challenges along with building positive relationships with the research community and key opinion leaders will be essential. This role will be responsible for internal and external communication of scientific progress, as well as supporting donor stewardship. The role will require a flexible work approach that may involve supporting staff across various ongoing and new initiatives. 

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Shapes, recommends and communicates a creative, solutions-focused, value-added scientific agenda/POV within assigned portfolios and programs, leveraging input from internal team and external advisors and regularly communicates progress.
• Manages assigned portfolio(s) (depending on experience level) through all stages of grant-making and funding (proposal development, review, contracting, milestone management, and close-out), troubleshooting and problem-solving as needed.
• Conceptualizes and implements departmental RFAs and RFPs, communicates learnings and makes suggestions for improving processes through discussions with team members.
• Supports department management with operational and budgetary planning around assigned portfolios and/or programs.
• Develops and maintains strong positive relationships with research community and key opinion leaders in assigned programs and/or portfolios.

• Serves as organization point person for internal and external communication of progress in assigned programs/portfolios/cross-functional strategies.

• Represents research strategy at internal and external meetings and takes an active role supporting more significant donor/fundraising stewardship.
• Supports research management in new team member onboarding, mentoring and coaching (on portfolio and program level).
• Educates self on current key scientific advances and challenges relevant to PD, helps identify gaps in assigned portfolio/programs and recommends strategies to address these gaps through by working closely with team and department lead.

Qualifications and Skills:

• PhD plus 4+ years of relevant work experience in biopharma, healthcare consulting or non-profit organizations.
• Proven track record of success in scientific management of projects and portfolios and operating at both strategic and tactical levels.
• Expertise in multi-omics and/or biomarker research (including technical experience and/or data analysis).
• Ability to synthesize large amounts of information related to projects and portfolios managed and provide a scientific point of view to diverse audiences.
• Exceptional communication skills, written and verbal; ability to articulate portfolio and program vision and ensure that team and department leads are aligned with and aware of program strategy, status and risks.
• ​Demonstrate initiative and independence to identify short and long-term portfolio needs with input from peers within and across research business unit.

Salary and Benefits:
The salary range for this position is $100,000 - $130,000.  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. 

Vaccine 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.

How to Apply:
Interested candidates should submit a resume and thoughtful cover letter describing their specific qualifications and interest in the position.

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.