Program Director - Research Fellowships

National Academy of Sciences; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 132,000 - 206,000; Full time

Job summary

National Academies in Washington, DC seeks a Program Director to lead federally funded research fellowships, including NRC Research Associateship, Air Force Science & Technology Fellowship Program, and Army Research Laboratory Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowships. You will shape strategy, manage operations, and ensure sponsor obligations are met while guiding a mid-size team.

Hybrid work arrangement with on-site requirements and travel as needed. A Ph.D.

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of scientific, technical, or policy issues.
• Strong program and project management skills.
• Ability to lead teams and manage sponsors.

Responsibilities

• Develops and maintains a balanced portfolio of research fellowships.
• Oversees program management, selection processes, and guidance to committees.
• Leads staff development, performance and compensation reviews.
• Interprets policies and guides staff in complex issues.
• Oversees financial planning, budgeting, and scheduling.
• Develops sponsor relationships and negotiates scope and funding.
• Represents the program at meetings and directs annual marketing and outreach.

Skills

Program management

Staff leadership

Negotiation

Communication

Policy experience

Education

Ph.D. in science or engineering

Job description

ABOUT THE UNIT- OFFICE OF FELLOWSHIPS

The Office of Fellowships (OFELL) administers prestigious fellowship awards on behalf of government agencies, private foundations, and other sponsoring organizations. These programs are designed to support and enhance the career development of master's level, doctoral and postdoctoral researchers and scholars, providing them with unique opportunities to advance their expertise.

The Office of Fellowships administers a portfolio of nine distinctive fellowship programs that span research, policy and regulatory science, and regional priorities, providing opportunities for fellows to contribute across sectors:

Research Fellowships

• National Research Council Research Associateship Programs
• Air Force Science & Technology Fellowship Program
• Army Research Laboratory Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowships

Policy & Regulatory Fellowships

• Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship Program
• Biotechnology Regulatory Fellowship Program
• New Voices in Science, Engineering, and Medicine
• Jefferson Science Fellowships

Regionally-focused Research and Policy Fellowships

• Gulf Research Program's Early Career Research Fellowship
• Gulf Research Program's Science Policy Fellowship

Over time it is expected that the Office of Fellowships will build upon these programs and expand to include new, innovative fellowship programs.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Program Director's primary responsibilities will be in the development, implementation, ongoing management and evaluation, and growth of the federally-funded research fellowships administered by OFELL, including the NRC Research Associateship Program, Air Force Science and Technology Fellowship Program and Army Research Laboratory Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship. The Program Director will also serve as a senior member of OFELL's leadership team, contributing to strategic planning, the development of shared practices, and operational improvement; advising the Senior Program Director; and leading office-wide initiatives as needed. The Program Director is responsible for financial management and resource allocation, staff planning and management, and is fully accountable for the performance and results of the assigned programs, ensuring that each program meets its stated objectives and fulfills contractual obligations to the sponsors. The Program Director has the authority to formulate, affect, interpret, or implement management policies or operating practices and deals with important or controversial issues that require effective persuasion, negotiation, and compromise skills. Reports to the Senior Program Director, Office of Fellowships. Manages a mid-size team, including direct management of one Senior Program Officer and two Program Officers.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

1. In consultation with Senior Program Director, develops and maintains a balanced, high-quality portfolio of research fellowships. Establishes a vision and working strategy for activities conducted within the program and future program growth.
2. Plans, conducts, and directs work on programs. Oversees the management of programs, oversees the assembling of selection committees and provides oversight and guidance to the conduct of their work. Proactively identifies opportunities to innovate, improve efficiency, and expand program impact.
3. Provides leadership and mentors employees. Trains and develops employees to successfully perform current responsibilities and encourages development of staff for future roles. Forms effective teams and cultivates a work environment that fosters teamwork and empowers staff. Initiates personnel actions, including performance and compensation reviews and disciplinary actions.
4. Serves as a senior resource for complex programmatic issues. Interprets and ensures consistent application of organizational policies and procedures to provide guidance to staff and effectively lead issue resolution.
5. Oversees financial management of the programs. Participates in business planning, conducts status meetings, coordinates logistical issues, and implements planning, scheduling, and procedural changes.
6. Responsible for program development and sponsor stewardship. Maintains current and develops new relationships with prospective sponsors and other external contacts.
7. Responds to requests for proposals, negotiating scope of work and budget, and independently develops high-impact programs and negotiates funding with sponsors. Performs fundraising activities. Prepares proposals. Oversees management of contracts, including regular reporting requirements.
8. Oversees the program's outreach efforts, including to prospective applicants and current alumni. Represents program at internal and external meetings. Provides oversight and direction of the program's annual marketing strategy and budget.

NONESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

• Related duties and special projects as assigned.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Advanced knowledge of scientific, technical, or policy issues in a related discipline. Strong program/project management skills. Ability to solve intellectual problems that reflect substantial variety and complexity. Ability to serve as a resource to others in the resolution of complex problems and issues. Ability to operate with substantial latitude for independent judgment and action. Ability to negotiate funding. Ability to train and develop staff. Ability to work successfully in a team environment and to form and maintain effective teams. Experience working in complex environments with a high degree of organizational effectiveness. Ability to develop relationships with co-workers and employees in other National Academies' departments through effective communication. Excellent communication skills with a proven ability to effectively interact with all levels of employees. Understanding of the National Academies' mission and culture.

Minimum Education/Training Requirements: Ph.D. in science or engineering or equivalent knowledge.

Minimum Experience: Ten years of related professional experience, five of which were in a supervisory capacity. Demonstrated impact on the advancement of science or the scientific workforce through the successful completion of National Academies' activities or equivalent outside activities and through effective dissemination of these activities.

Required Licenses, Certification or Registration:None

Any qualification to be considered equivalent, in lieu of stated minimum, requires the prior approval of the Office of Human Resources.

Other Details

Supervisory Responsibilities/Controls

Reports to Executive Director, Executive Officer, or Senior Program Director. Independently establishes goals and objectives. Supervises staff.

Mental and Physical Capabilities

Ability to be visible on camera for meetings when remote.

Ability to use a computer and applicable hardware/software to perform responsibilities.

Ability to use multiple technology collaboration platforms, including collaboration tools. Examples: Microsoft Teams, Asana.

Ability to Focus/concentrate on tasks and multi-task, when needed

Begin work at the required time, per approved schedule.

Ability to lift/carry laptop and other mobile devices between work and home.

Ability to commute to work.

Ability to travel between National Academies' facilities and offsite sponsor/partner locations.

Ability to work in different time zones, when travel is outside of current location, e.g., when traveling internationally.

Ability to perform work responsibilities onsite, where required.

Ability to interact in-person with multiple people and large groups.

Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines.

Ability to use a computer and applicable hardware/software to perform responsibilities.

Work Environment

Hybrid office/telecommute environment; expected onsite percentage 60%. Occasional travel between National Academies' facilities and to off-site meeting/sponsor locations.

Compensation & Benefits

An estimated compensation range for this position is $132,010 - $206,265. Compensation offered to the selected candidate will be based on the candidate's relevant knowledge, skills, and work experience, commensurate with compensation of current employees in comparable positions with similar knowledge, skills, and work experience, and subject to budget parameters. Note it is not typical for a candidate to be hired at the higher end of the range. This is a benefits-eligible position. Our Benefits Plan offers competitive and comprehensive benefit options, including medical, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, disability coverage, retirement and savings benefits, leave benefits such as paid holidays and paid personal leave, transportation subsidies, and education assistance.

For more information, please.

Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of the National Academies to recruit, hire, transfer, compensate, and promote people in all job categories and to administer all other personnel actions, terms and conditions of employment in a manner that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. It is also the institution's policy to recruit, hire, promote, and provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and covered veterans who are otherwise qualified.

Disclaimer

The above information is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Some functions in this description may be specific to a particular unit of the National Academies and not applicable to other units.

Job Family

PROG

Employee Type:Employee

Scheduled Weekly Hours:37.5

City/State:Washington, District of Columbia