The VP, Head of Organizational Transformation, serves as a trusted advisor to senior leadership—guiding strategic programs, managing organizational change and incubating new initiatives that strengthen the Foundation’s effectiveness and adaptability.
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 VP, Head of Organizational Transformation position. This newly created role will lead enterprise-wide transformation efforts that ensure the Foundation remains agile, aligned, and positioned for long-term impact.
Reporting to the Chief of Staff and working closely with the Strategic Planning & Insights team, this leader will serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership—guiding strategic programs, managing organizational change and incubating new initiatives that strengthen the Foundation’s effectiveness and adaptability.
The ideal candidate combines strategic foresight, operational excellence and people-centered leadership to drive transformative progress across the Foundation.
This position may require in-person attendance on a monthly basis at the Foundation’s office in New York City.
Primary Duties & Responsibilities:
Strategic Program Management
Lead the design and implementation of major cross-functional initiatives aligned with the Foundation’s mission and strategy
Partner with Strategic Planning & Insights to translate long-term goals into actionable, measurable plans
Establish governance, metrics and reporting systems to ensure accountability and impact
Change Leadership and Transformation
Serve as the Foundation’s lead change strategist, shaping and guiding organizational transformation efforts
Develop and implement a practical change management framework that supports readiness, communication and adoption
Partner with leaders to anticipate challenges, align stakeholders and embed a culture of adaptability and continuous learning
Coach teams and senior leaders to build internal change leadership capabilities
Response Teams and Rapid Impact Initiatives
Launch and lead agile teams to address urgent challenges or opportunities requiring fast coordination and execution
Facilitate structured problem-solving and ensure clear ownership, rapid progress and measurable results
Incubation of New Initiatives
Identify and pilot new organizational capabilities or processes that advance the Foundation’s mission and efficiency
Define success metrics for early-stage initiatives and manage their transition to sustainable operations
People Management and Team Development
Lead and develop a team that drives cross-functional initiatives and change efforts
Set priorities, define goals and foster accountability for outcomes that enhance organizational agility and impact
Qualifications and Skills:
Proven experience leading large-scale organizational transformation and strategic initiatives within complex or mission-driven environments
Proven ability to lead, develop and inspire a team that drives cross-functional initiatives and deliver measurable impact
Deep expertise in change management frameworks (e.g., Prosci, Kotter, ADKAR) and ability to adapt them to organizational culture
Proven ability to align people, processes and systems to achieve measurable, enterprise-level outcomes
Strategic thinker with strong operational acumen; connects vision to execution and manages governance, risk and stakeholder engagement
Exceptional communicator and trusted advisor skilled at simplifying complexity, building alignment and influencing senior leaders
Mission-driven, inclusive and adaptable leader who thrives in evolving contexts
Advanced degree or change management certification (e.g., Prosci, ACMP) preferred
Salary and Benefits:
The salary range for this position is $165,000 to $200,000. 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.