Senior Program Operations Manager (Technology Transfer Focus)

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 Program Operations Manager position. Reporting to a Director of Program Operations, this role plays a vital part in supporting key research programs as a member of the Research Operations department. With a broad perspective across the organization, this position works closely with programmatic teams and partners with departments like finance, technology and others to facilitate grantmaking, project management and program support aligned with the Foundation’s mission.
The role is responsible for establishing and implementing both short and long-term goals, objectives and operational procedures for research programs, while also contributing to strategy development and program execution. This position provides technical guidance to peers managing research grants and key internal projects and focuses on building and maintaining strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure proper resourcing and service delivery. Central to delivering high-quality programs to the research community, this role involves effective program design, scope management, resource allocation, risk mitigation and quality assurance. This position is instrumental in driving the success of the Foundation’s research and technology sharing initiatives by collaborating with programs or department leads in the Research Programs and Partnerships business unit to operationalize strategic goals.

This is a hybrid-flex position that may require in-person attendance monthly at the Foundation’s office in New York City.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

Program Design & Implementation

• Lead planning and execution of intricate, multi-party programs, often involving technology transfer or shared research assets
• Partner with leadership to set goals, define Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and turn strategies into detailed project plans
• Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), workflows and documentation to maintain consistency and transparency across all initiatives
• Monitor progress using project management tools (e.g. Smartsheet, Asana, Salesforce), ensuring timely completion, quality results and compliance
• Support long-term and annual planning for the Research Operations team, contributing to portfolio reviews, capacity planning and process improvements

Technology Transfer & Contract Operations

• Act as an intermediary between the Foundation’s scientific team, legal staff and external partners to coordinate technology transfers and resource-sharing agreements, ensuring alignment with the Foundation’s open science or research resource sharing policies
• Assist in drafting, reviewing and negotiating contracts such as MTAs, license agreements, service agreements and grants, gathering input from scientific, legal and compliance experts
• Manage contract deliverables, timelines and compliance, and build systems to track and report on resource-sharing and contractual obligations
• Help the Foundation translate complex legal and IP requirements into clear operational procedures, so all parties understand expectations around resource sharing, commercialization, and IP
• Work with internal and external stakeholders to synchronize contractual, research, and funding objectives

General

• Develop and maintain a strong working knowledge of the Foundation’s Strategic Research Agenda and related programs / respective portfolios
• Serve as backup and short-term absence coverage support for peers
• Facilitate onboarding & training, with a focus on supporting team growth & development
• Engage in the wider Foundation community on staff-driven projects, initiatives, and events

Qualifications and Skills:

• Relevant experience in program operations, project management, or similar roles in biotech, academic research administration, or nonprofit science funding
• Knowledge of technology transfer, intellectual property, and contract negotiation in research or grantmaking settings
• Demonstrated ability to run large, multi-stakeholder projects, including budget, risk, and compliance management
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to bridge scientific, operational, and legal perspectives
• Advanced proficiency in project management software (Smartsheet, Asana, Jira) and Microsoft Office
• Strong organizational, analytical, and time management skills, with proven ability to juggle multiple priorities

Preferred:

• Advanced degree in life sciences, policy administration, or business operations
• Experience with grantmaking, nonprofit program management, innovating public benefits or academic technology transfer
• Familiarity with research compliance and open science/research output-sharing practices
• Proven skill in developing operational systems, standardizing processes, and leading cross-functional projects

Salary and Benefits:
The salary range for this position is $90,000 to $100,000.  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 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. 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.