Senior Grants Technology 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 Senior Grants Technology Manager position.  This position sits within the Grant System Operations team. The Grant System Operations team is responsible for the ongoing development, integration and optimization of the Foundation’s grant management system, Smart Simple, ensuring it enables seamless, reliable and innovative workflows across the Foundation.

Reporting to the Director of Grant System Operations, this role supports initiatives that improve and streamline grant operations through thoughtful use of system capabilities, AI and automation technology and process enhancements. This position partners cross-functionally to identify opportunities for operational improvements, oversee system-related projects and support the adoption of AI within Smart Simple and related platforms. This position requires a proactive and detail-oriented project manager who enjoys bridging business needs and technical solutions and is energized by building the next generation of grant management tools.

This is a hybrid-flex position that will require in-person attendance at MJFF’s office in New York City on an as needed basis.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Identify, scope and deliver projects that improve efficiency and effectiveness in grant operations, leveraging Smart Simple functionality, AI and automation, and related tools
• Coordinate with cross-functional project teams—including internal stakeholders, developers and external vendors—to implement system enhancements and integrations, managing full project lifecycles from requirements to rollout
• Partner with technical and business teams to evaluate new tools and features, assessing the feasibility, impact and alignment with business needs
• Support the implementation of responsible AI practices and governance frameworks on Research Operations, ensuring compliance with standards (NIST, ISO, etc.) and monitoring the effectiveness and integrity of AI-driven processes
• Lead workshops and trainings to prepare teams for new processes or system capabilities, championing a culture of innovation and continuous improvement
• Continuously scan the landscape for emerging technologies, best practices and innovations in grants management, proactively recommending and piloting solutions that keep the Foundation’s grants management and research operations at the forefront of grant system innovation
• Support the Director of Grant System Operations on high-impact initiatives and cross-departmental projects

Qualifications and Skills:

• Relevant experience in project management, business systems analysis, or system implementation, ideally within research operations, nonprofit organizations, higher education, or grant management environments
• Relevant experience working with business stakeholders to gather, analyze and document operational and technical requirements, preferably in a research, nonprofit, or grant management context
• Relevant experience collaborating with external technology vendors on system enhancements, troubleshooting, or technical evaluations
• Relevant experience assessing, redesigning and optimizing business processes and workflows, including the use of automation and technology to drive efficiency
• Relevant experience developing or delivering training, or user adoption strategies for new technology solutions
• Familiarity with or strong demonstrated interest in AI and automation technologies as applied to business operations
• Strong ability to translate business needs into clear technical specifications for developers and vendors; comfort working with both non-technical and technical audiences
• Ability to manage or coordinate projects, including requirements documentation, testing protocols and stakeholder engagement
• Ability to use data and feedback to monitor, evaluate and optimize implemented solutions and processes
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; experience leading meetings, facilitating workshops, and building consensus among diverse stakeholders

Preferred:

• Experience with grant management platforms such as Smart Simple, Salesforce, or similar enterprise systems
• Familiarity with responsible AI policies and best practices, and understanding of relevant frameworks (e.g., NIST AI RMF, ISO/IEC 42001)
• Prior experience working in the nonprofit sector, academic research, or a mission-driven organization is a plus

Salary and Benefits:
The salary range for this position is $100,000 to $115,000.  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.