Senior Program Operations Manager (Technology Transfer Focus)

The Michael J. Fox Foundation For Parkinson's Research • New York, NY

45d • $90,000 - $100,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

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 on a monthly basis at the Foundation's office in New York City.

Requirements

• 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

Nice To Haves

• 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

Responsibilities

• 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
• 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
• 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

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees