Senior Project Manager or Program Manager, CSC

Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH); North Bethesda (MD); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

The Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) seeks a Senior Project Manager or Program Manager for Translational Science to oversee a portfolio of cancer projects and the Cancer Steering Committee (CSC) under the Biomarkers Consortium. This non-research, administrative role requires expert stakeholder management and strategic thinking, reporting to the Director for the Biomarkers Consortium.

The position will lead one or more project managers, drive the cancer biomarkers

Qualifications

• PM experience in cancer research or translational science context.
• Strong stakeholder management and ability to lead cross‑functional teams.
• Excellent communication skills tailored to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead scientific and operational strategy for the Cancer Steering Committee within the Biomarkers Consortium.
• Build collaborative ecosystem and align translational goals across partners.
• Facilitate ideation, prioritization, and decision making for CSC projects.
• Represent CSC in scientific, clinical, and policy forums; contribute to publications and communications.
• Oversee budgets, timelines, milestones, and deliverables; manage CSC staff and grants/contracts.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Verbal & written communication

Team leadership

Budget and contracts management

Education

Master’s degree in oncology/immunology/biomedical field

PhD in oncology/immunology/biomedical field

Job description

Senior Project Manager / Program Manager – Translational Science

Location: North Bethesda, MD 20852 | Position: Full Time | Salary: $125,000 – $175,000.

Job Summary

The Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) seeks a Senior Project Manager or Program Manager for Translational Science to manage a portfolio of cancer projects and the Cancer Steering Committee (CSC) under the FNIH Biomarkers Consortium. The CSC engages diverse stakeholders—biopharmaceutical companies, patient advocacy and nonprofit partners, government scientific and regulatory agencies, and academic organizations—to address unmet needs in cancer research, supporting both patients and the scientific community.

This non‑research, administrative position requires expert stakeholder management, strategic thinking, deep cancer biology knowledge, and strong interpersonal and writing skills. The role will oversee one or more project managers, lead the cancer biomarkers portfolio, convene and lead multidisciplinary partnerships, and provide thought leadership for the cancer portfolio and the Biomarkers Consortium. It reports to the Director for the Biomarkers Consortium and collaborates closely with the Director for Cancer at FNIH offices.

Key Responsibilities

Scientific & Program Leadership & Portfolio Management

• Lead the overall scientific and operational strategy for the CSC within the FNIH Biomarker Consortium.
• Build and sustain a collaborative ecosystem aligned around shared scientific and translational goals.
• Facilitate ideation and prioritization of projects within the CSC.
• Represent the CSC in scientific, clinical, and policy forums.
• Contribute to publications, presentations, and strategic communications.
• Assist in cross‑portfolio duties with other disease area organizational leaders.

Partnership Development & Partner Engagement

• Lead engagement with biopharmaceutical companies, academic investigators, technology partners, advocacy groups, and individuals with lived experience.
• Collaborate with Strategic Alliances and Advancement to secure and align funding to support the CSC projects.
• Articulate the value proposition and impact of the Biomarker Consortium and the CSC to diverse funder.
• Ensure transparency, accountability, and effective decision‑making across all partners and relevant external organizations.

Program Governance & Execution

• Oversee timelines, milestones, budgets, and deliverables across the CSC portfolio.
• Manage internal CSC staff and review all deliverables.
• Initiate, develop, and manage all aspects of multiple projects, applying knowledge of process, finance, and contracts to ensure goals are met on time and within budget.
• Develop and manage grants/contracts, including evaluation and refinement of statements of work, project budgets, milestones, and deliverables.

Qualifications

Required

• Degree in oncology, immunology, or related biomedical field.
• Master’s degree with 10+ years of relevant project management experience, or PhD with 5+ years of relevant project management experience, and at least 3 years of staff and stakeholder management at the Program Manager level; or
• Masters’ degree with 6+ years of relevant project management experience, or PhD with 3+ years of relevant project management experience at the Senior Project Manager level.
• Scientific background or on‑the‑job experience in cancer research.
• Ability to diplomatically facilitate discussion involving diverse interests, leading groups to consensus, and guide others.
• Excellent communication skills, tailoring communications to varied audiences and building rapport within FNIH and with partners.
• Strong analytical and critical‑thinking abilities to proactively identify potential problems and work with teams to fill gaps.
• Ability to learn quickly and make decisions independently to meet tight deadlines.
• High degree of flexibility and ability to adapt to organizational priorities.
• Readiness and judgment to supervise staff.

Preferred

• Experience in regulatory science.
• Prior role in consulting or client‑based environment.
• Business development and/or partner relationship experience.
• Project management certification.
• Local to the Bethesda, Maryland area.

Other Details

This is a hybrid position, requiring regular visits to FNIH headquarters in Bethesda, MD. Occasional travel for meetings, conferences, and other relevant engagements is also expected.

At FNIH we are committed to living our core values every day. If you are excited about this role and the work of the Foundation, but your experience does not align perfectly with all the qualifications, we encourage you to apply nonetheless. You may be the right candidate for this or other roles at FNIH.