Scientific Program Manager, Science Initiatives

Scientific Program Manager, Science Initiatives, Partnerships

The Allen Institute accelerates science for a healthier world through large-scale research designed to answer some of the most complex questions in biology. Our multi-disciplinary teams generate foundational knowledge, tools, and data to understand how our brain, cells, and immune system work. We share our work openly so others can build on it, move faster, and ask bigger questions. We drive discovery forward and create new possibilities for improving human health.

We believe a strong ecosystem of collaborative partners is the fastest path to making and translating scientific discoveries into real-world impact. The Science Initiatives team drives internal and external activities in parallel to support how science is done and promote the Allen Institute’s mission and impact. Our team bridges science and administrative functions, connecting leadership, scientists across the Allen Institute, and key external partners and collaborators to plan and manage activities in three main areas: government relations, science programs, and scientific partnerships.

We are seeking a Scientific Program Manager to support our ecosystem of scientific partners. This person, reporting to the VP of Science Initiatives, will be accountable for a portfolio of partnerships – large and small in size - that enable the overall research endeavor at the Allen Institute. This role will be focused on execution and is highly collaborative, working with science teams across the Allen Institute, our executive leadership, and our external community of partners, to help manage and track partnership projects against expected milestones and outcomes.

Specifically, this person will work with others who identify, cultivate, or manage alliances across our accelerators and other teams to coordinate and track partnering efforts holistically at the Allen Institute. The ideal candidate will have very strong project management skills, plus scientific expertise in cell biology, neuroscience, or immunology, and be highly adept at building and maintaining strong relationships. They should be experienced and able to pull from a project management toolkit to help define and manage science partnerships like any other technical or enterprise project.

At the Allen Institute, we believe that science is for everyone – and should be open to everyone. We are dedicated to combating biases and reducing barriers to STEM careers more broadly.

We also believe that science is better when it includes different perspectives and voices. We strive to make the Allen Institute a place where everyone feels like they belong and are empowered to do their best work in a supportive environment.

We are an equal-opportunity employer and strongly encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for our open positions.

Essential Functions

• Coordinates and supports a portfolio of partner programs using project management best practices and tools
• Owns a ‘partnership dashboard’ and runs cross-team meetings to align on goals, timelines, commitments, risk mitigation, other activities, and hand-offs
• Develops and communicates program scope, deliverables, required resources, and schedules
• Manages the achievement of partnership goals and objectives via operating plans, risk management, and robust evaluation methods
• Conducts effective communications with internal and external stakeholders and project teams, including synthesis of discussions and the creation of clear, persuasive, and compelling emails, reports, and presentations
• Organizes and leads internal and external project meetings with clear agendas, expected outcomes, action items, and performance tracking metrics
• Works closely with and manages relationships with administrative and science teams to oversee a portfolio of partners, programs, and objectives

Note: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Required Education and Experience

• PhD in biology, immunology, neuroscience, biomedical science, or related fields with demonstrated success working in large and complex scientific projects
• 1+ years of experience in a program manager role beyond an academic lab setting, with progressively responsible experience
• Proven success in establishing and maintaining external, strategic, scientific, or collaborative relationships across multiple partner sites

Preferred Education and Experience

• 5+ years of experience in project/program manager roles with progressively responsible project/program management experience
• Highly developed program planning, design, and leadership skills
• Proven interpersonal skills, including superior judgement, problem solving, group motivation, and diplomacy
• Certification in project management; PMP (Project Management Professional), Lean Six Sigma, etc.
• Experience presenting progress and results at a senior leadership (C-suite or board of directors) level
• Experience in change management principles
• Detail-focused and organized, with an understanding that communication and transparency are critical to achieving success
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, proactively and with agility in a complex, matrixed environment, dealing well with ambiguity, building internal alignment, influencing others, and managing differences effectively

Work Environment

• May enter laboratory environment, including potential exposure to lasers, biohazards

Physical Demands

• Fine motor movements in fingers/hands to operate computers and other office equipment

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• This role is currently able to work both remotely and onsite in a hybrid work environment. We are a Washington State employer, and the primary work location for all Allen Institute employees is 615 Westlake Ave N.; any remote work must be performed in Washington State.

Travel

• Visits to collaborator sites and attendance at national conferences may be required

Additional Comments

• **Please note, this opportunity offers relocation assistance**
• **Please note, this opportunity does not offer work visa sponsorship**

Annualized Salary Range

$137,050 - $171,250 *

* Final salary depends on the required education for the role, experience, level of skills relevant to the role, and work location, where applicable.

Benefits

Employees (and their families) are eligible to enroll in benefits per eligibility rules outlined in the Allen Institute’s Benefits Guide. These benefits include medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are also eligible to enroll in the Allen Institute’s 401k plan. Paid time off is also available as outlined in the Allen Institutes Benefits Guide. Details on the Allen Institute’s benefits offering are located at the following link to the Benefits Guide: https://alleninstitute.org/careers/benefits.

It is the policy of the Allen Institute to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the Allen Institute will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities