Job Description
Position Summary
Helmsley seeks a full-time, experienced professional with medical research or healthcare expertise to lead a dynamic program and team presently composed of 12 individuals - 10 PhD scientists plus an administrative staff of 2 – who are committed to helping patients by focusing on Crohn’s disease biology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Helmsley’s Crohn’s disease program is the largest private foundation Crohn’s disease program in the world with an annual grants budget of over $60 million. The Program Director will oversee the sourcing and management of all Crohn’s disease grants.
The Crohn’s Disease Program Director will lead the Crohn’s team and will work closely with Helmsley staff and the Trustee responsible for the program to execute our Crohn’s program strategies, including grant and non-grant activities. Helmsley’s prominent position in the Crohn’s disease space creates the opportunity for the Program Director to identify for funding those initiatives that can lead to a cure, and until then significantly improve the lives of individuals afflicted by Crohn’s disease both in the US and around the world.
The Program Director reports to the CEO and to the Trustee responsible for the program. Travel is required.
The candidate must have strong scientific knowledge and a background in Crohn’s disease or a relevant field. She/he will possess exceptional communication skills and have experience convening multiple stakeholders as well as facilitating collaborative projects among a variety of partners, possibly including funders, public charities, government agencies, and/or academic/scientific/industry partners. The candidate must be sufficiently experienced to lead and manage a team and work collaboratively with colleagues and partners.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Primary responsibilities of the Crohn’s Disease Program Director include providing scientific, intellectual, and organizational leadership in:
- Program Strategy and Execution
- Execute a dynamic, multi-year strategic plan, including assessment of critical gaps/needs, potential key partners, alternative available resources, and any other relevant issues.
- Lead and work closely with Crohn’s team to design and implement grant and non-grant initiatives aligned with the Crohn’s strategic plan.
- Work collaboratively with Crohn’s team and Helmsley staff (including Grants Management, Communications, Legal and Finance teams) to develop, manage and execute grants and related activity aimed at achieving practical results to achieve the program’s mission.
- Supervise Program Officers and assist in developing and assessing prospective projects, including providing expertise to review prospective grants; working collaboratively with applicants to refine plans and project budgets in preparation for potential funding; conducting site visits; attending conferences; completing grant reviews; and preparing written and oral summaries of grants for Trustee review and approval.
- Team Leadership and Management
- Lead a team with science backgrounds, focused on the development, execution, maintenance and evaluation of grants as well as supporting non-grant activities.
- Develop individual focus areas/work plans, development and annual performance assessments.
- Manage current year and projected grant portfolio and related grant budgets (over $60 million per year) as well as annual operating budget (approx. $4 million).
- Thought Leadership and Community Building
- Represent Helmsley and our Crohn’s Disease Program at a variety of external events and activities, including grantee/partner meetings, convenings, and presentations.
- Lead and work closely with the Crohn’s team to design and implement non-grant initiatives supporting the Crohn’s strategic plan, where appropriate (e.g., convenings, white papers and other communications).
- Exhibit strong thought leadership and support of the broader Crohn’s disease community.
- Collaboration and Partnership
- Work collaboratively with colleagues across Helmsley, both in connection with the work of the Crohn’s team, as well as with the development and support of trust-wide initiatives to advance the overall impact of Helmsley’s work.
- Be a senior role model for Helmsley’s staff and external partners.
Desired Qualifications
- Completion of a PhD or MD and at least eight years of substantial experience in medical or healthcare sector or its equivalent.
- Team-oriented leader with highly developed interpersonal skills with commitment to developing team members and partnering with grantees.
- Experience with project management and budgeting or the ability to learn them.
- Experience handling multiple priorities effectively, organizing time efficiently, and functioning well in a fast-paced environment.
- Demonstrated ability to transform vision and ideas into concrete, sustainable, and productive projects.
- Strong written and oral communication skills with the ability to translate concepts appropriately to diverse stakeholders.
- Attention to detail.
- Commitment to Crohn’s Disease Program mission.
- Ability to work closely with colleagues and Trustees in a collaborative environment, which requires flexibility, efficiency and diplomacy, both individually and as part of a team.
Salary, Health, Well-being, and Living Our Mission
Helmsley is dedicated to creating stronger, healthier futures for communities in the U.S. and around the world. Helmsley colleagues are intelligent, creative, forward thinking, and strongly committed to working productively with each other and with our grantee partners. Each was drawn to Helmsley by the same opportunity: to help build this young organization into a leading global charitable institution that will drive meaningful and measurable positive change in lives throughout the U.S. and around the world for years to come.
Helmsley is committed to offering competitive and equitable compensation commensurate with experience. The targeted starting salary range for this position is $299,000 - $330,000.
Comprehensive benefits currently offered to employees (subject to change) include:
- Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision for employees and their families
- Generous 401(k) employer contribution
- Hybrid work schedule (up to two remote days a week)
- 23+ paid vacation and sick days
- 13+ paid holidays
- End of year office closure
- Summer Fridays
- Tuition reimbursement
- Personal and team professional development opportunities
Application Information
To apply for this position, please submit a cover letter and resume (in Word or PDF format) to the posting listed on the Helmsley Career Page. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application process, please contact HR@helmsleytrust.org.
NOTE: This job notice has an open deadline. Applications will be received until this position is filled.