Grants & Programs Manager

The Michael J. Fox Foundation; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Michael J. Fox Foundation in New York City is seeking a Research Programs Officer to manage the full lifecycle of MJFF grants, coordinating with science teams and external partners. You will design, develop, and track project plans, budgets, and schedules, ensuring timely and on-budget delivery.

This onsite role emphasizes process optimization, stakeholder engagement, and program evaluation to accelerate Parkinson’s research and advance the foundation’s mission.

Qualifications

• 2-4 years of portfolio and/or client management experience.
• Strong project and time management and organizational skills with special attention to detail.
• Pro‑actively written and oral communicator, able to group abstract ideas into a clear picture or narrative.
• Experience developing and managing complex budgets and tracking systems.
• Experience in formulating and implementing processes and procedures.
• Able to lead and be led in cross‑functional environments.
• Ability to think and act decisively on operational issues, and manage up appropriately.
• An innate sense of pace and urgency while maintaining product quality
• Excellent computer skills, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Understanding and/or interest in the sciences; particularly motivated to engage with and learn the language of the MJFF science community.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the business lead between MJFF science team and grantees to design and manage the operational lifecycle of a grant or funded project.
• Design, develop, manage, and communicate funded project plans, schedules, and related budgets, engaging internal and external stakeholders to meet deliverables on time and on budget.
• Oversee grants to individual Investigators, universities, and other specialized partners; manages relationship and project delivery lifecycle from proposal process through post-award to close out.
• Develop, analyze, forecast, and pro-actively track project budgets, appropriately problem‑solving or escalating issues. Acts as liaison between internal and external stakeholders with internal links in the grants management process, including research partnerships, finance, and other administrative support systems to ensure smooth operational management of the grants process.
• Leverage grants management software and related applications to track and communicate project progress, and to drive continual process improvement initiatives.
• Pro-actively communicate foundation processes and procedures to grantees, applicants and other external stakeholders. Routinely review and recommend best practices to improve workflow and systems efficiencies.
• Produce meeting materials and support as needed; chair meetings as needed to move work forward.
• Actively contribute to strategic planning discussions and process around funding priorities and planning.
• Lead and support program evaluation initiatives during and post-grant.
• Serve as back up and short-term absence coverage support for Officer colleagues.
• Serve as educator, trainer, and partner for new hires and existing colleagues on context and understanding around program portfolios.
• Lead or participate in tactical planning activities on individual projects and organizational initiatives.
• Engage in the wider Foundation-community on staff-driven projects and initiatives.

Skills

Portfolio management

Project management

Time management

Communication skills

Budgeting

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical problem solving

Tools

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Job description

The Michael J. Fox Foundation in New York City is seeking a Research Programs Officer to manage the full lifecycle of MJFF grants, coordinating with science teams and external partners. You will design, develop, and track project plans, budgets, and schedules, ensuring timely and on-budget delivery.

This onsite role emphasizes process optimization, stakeholder engagement, and program evaluation to accelerate Parkinson’s research and advance the foundation’s mission.