Associate Director, Research Partnerships

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) was founded in 2000 with one clear objective: finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease in our lifetime. 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 worldwide, having funded more than $1 billion in research projects in academic and industry labs worldwide. We exist to put ourselves out of business, so we deliberately hold no endowment but instead spend what we raise quickly and efficiently; 88 cents of every dollar spent goes directly to research programs. 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 treatment ideas and tools in the hopes of building a robust pipeline of new treatments for patients. Today, the Foundation has about 155 full-time employees.

Within MJFF, Research Partnerships helps get to better Parkinson’s treatments faster by driving two key activities: 

1.       increasing engagement and developing partnerships with various stakeholders, including biopharma, government, nonprofits and patients

2.      integrating the patient experience and viewpoint across the research spectrum. This position supports our efforts to engage volunteers in clinical research.

Clinical trials are the final hurdle in getting to new FDA-approved treatments. It requires patient-focused experts, leading clinical research teams, and drug developers working in concert to mobilize the community of volunteers needed to participate in research. MJFF is seeking an enthusiastic collaborator with strong project and relationship management skills who can marry these perspectives to develop and execute on both proven and novel approaches to recruiting volunteers for Parkinson’s research.

 

As an Associate Director, Research Partnerships, you will be the touchpoint for a cross-departmental internal team, working with Parkinson’s researchers, CROs, and patient advisors who collaborate to make trial recruitment more accessible, faster, less costly, and more efficient. As part of your role, you will help evolve MJFF’s best practices to meet the demands of a changing research landscape, consult with biopharma partners to accelerate their study enrollment, and play a critical role in implementing our recruitment strategy for a landmark study in Parkinson’s disease – the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI). Primary responsibilities include: 

Project Management: Executing strategic action plans and actively managing deliverables

·        Provide strategic insight, solicit buy-in for strategic plans, and execute approaches to engage Parkinson’s patients, care partners, and individuals at risk for Parkinson’s in PPMI, including development and oversight of participant communications, retention incentive programs, and collaborations with referring partners

·        Develop and maintain dynamic data analytics and reporting on PPMI participant engagement and performance to inform study and MJFF leadership decisions  

 

Relationship Management: Develop relationships inside and outside of the Foundation and conduct outreach with the clinical trial and Parkinson’s patient community

·        Cultivate relationships with clinical trial staff across academic research centers, biopharma and partner organizations

·        Work with Steering Committee representatives from MJFF-sponsored studies, patient and family Ambassadors, Community Partners and other advisors

·        Represent MJFF at appropriate meetings, conferences and other venues

Key attributes of an outstanding Associate Director are excellent decision-making and judgment, creative ‘out of the box’ thinking and strong project and time management skills. An innate sense of urgency as well as an ability to work productively and proactively – both independently and as part of a team – are key. This role reports to the Senior Associate Director of Research Partnerships.

An understanding of drug development and/or clinical research is not required. Some of our most successful team members come from backgrounds in other industries with a strong functional skill set. The Associate Director role requires a strategic thinker who also wants to be hands-on to support aggressive goals in this arena. The ideal candidate will be flexible and solutions-oriented with a proven track record of managing multiple complex projects and important relationships simultaneously. Excellent oral and written communication skills and presentation skills are a must. Advanced degrees, such as an MA, MBA, MPA and relevant management or strategy experience are preferred. This  will be a remote position to start, however, employees should expect to work out of our New York City office in the foreseeable future. The role is not conducive to telecommuting. The Associate Director must also be willing to travel as needed.

 

Ideal candidates will also possess:

·        Entrepreneurial mindset; proactive and action-oriented personality with proven ability to solve complex problems in a team-based approach

·        Sophisticated project management skills, ideally with 4 - 6 years’ experience managing complex projects, including ability to adapt style based on team dynamic

·        Expert internal and external relationship management skills with strong networking capabilities and integration with individuals from all levels of an organization; ability to understand individual stakeholder goals and objectives and managing up, down, and across

·        Ability to energize team members and galvanize support around shared goals

·        Ability to think big picture and strategically, while maintaining excellent attention to detail

·        Ability to balance multiple initiatives and prioritize activities

·        Excellent oral and written communications skills, including presentation experience

·        Comfort taking a new idea, formulating an execution plan, getting buy-in along the way, and then implementing the project from launch to results

·        Commitment to teamwork; ability to collaborate and manage projects with and through others; ability to influence action without direct authority

·        Willingness to adapt when necessary; comfortable with ambiguity and flexible to changing business dynamics and priorities

Interested candidates should submit a resume and thoughtful cover letter. We ask that you do not contact our staff directly and no phone inquiries please. Applicants who best match the position needs will be contacted. Submissions without cover letters will not be considered.