The Senior Director of Research Programs is responsible for the project management team and for overseeing project monitoring, reporting, and delivery in alignment with research strategy goals and tactics. The role provides strategic guidance to senior leadership, project managers, and research team members by ensuring the coordinated planning, execution, and evaluation of the portfolio of research programs. Reporting to the Vice President and Scientific Director at the Jackson Laboratory (JAX-NYSCF), this individual provides high-level leadership for complex, cross-functional projects from initiation through completion. The individual is responsible for collaborating with diverse stakeholders, leading project teams, and ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and standards. This role will be working very closely with industry partners to advance translation models such as those announced in these press releases:
JAX-NYSCF Collaborative and Janssen
JAX-NYSCF Collaborative and GSK announce collaboration
This role is full time onsite at our NYSCFJAX-NYSCF/JAX location in New York City
Key Responsibilities & Essential Functions
Define and drive the strategic vision for the research programs portfolio aligned with organizational goals
Oversee the full lifecycle of multiple concurrent research programs, from ideation through execution and completion
Develop and manage program budgets, timelines, and resource allocation
Identify and mitigate program risks and resolve escalated issues
Ensure programs meet scientific, regulatory, and compliance standards
Drive cross-functional collaboration across departments (research administration, regulatory, finance, operations, etc.)
Oversee a portfolio of concurrent project initiatives, ensuring each has defined goals, project frameworks and measurable outcomes at both the project and program levels
Establish governance frameworks, resource plans, and risk mitigation strategies to keep projects on track
Implement KPIs and metrics to track program performance and outcomes
Serve as the integrating force across internal research teams to ensure alignment and cohesion across program goals
Lead program review and reporting to leadership
Manage vendor and partner relationships including academic institutions, government agencies, industry, etc.
Lead and mentor teams such as research directors, program managers, and scientists
Requirements, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
5+ years in a leadership role with progressive responsibility
10+ years of relevant experience
Proven track record of managing large, complex research programs and cross-functional teams
Strong knowledge of research design and scientific methodology
High fluency in risk management, decision making and problem solving
Exceptional communication skills and stakeholder management experience
Experience managing budgets and reviewing financial reports
Preferred:
M.D/Ph.D in a relevant scientific field, neuroscience preferred
Project Management Certification/training (PMP preferred)
Experience with budget of $10M+
Ability to navigate matrixed environments and lead through influence
Pay Range for this role is $182,073 - $277,662 based on total years of related experience
About JAX:
The Jackson Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution with a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center and nearly 3,000 employees in locations across the United States (Maine, Connecticut, California), Japan and China. Its mission is to discover precise genomic solutions for disease and empower the global biomedical community in the shared quest to improve human health.
Founded in 1929, JAX applies over nine decades of expertise in genetics to increase understanding of human disease, advancing treatments and cures for cancer, neurological and immune disorders, diabetes, aging and heart disease. It models and interprets genomic complexity, integrates basic research with clinical application, educates current and future scientists, and provides critical data, tools and services to the global biomedical community. For more information, please visit www.jax.org.
EEO Statement:
The Jackson Laboratory provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, national origin, veteran status, and other classifications protected by applicable state and local non-discrimination laws.
Skills Required
- 5+ years in a leadership role with progressive responsibility
- 10+ years of relevant experience
- Proven track record of managing large, complex research programs and cross-functional teams
- Strong knowledge of research design and scientific methodology
- High fluency in risk management, decision making and problem solving
- Exceptional communication skills and stakeholder management experience
- Experience managing budgets and reviewing financial reports
- M.D/Ph.D in a relevant scientific field, neuroscience preferred
- Project Management Certification/training (PMP preferred)
- Experience with budget of $10M+
- Ability to navigate matrixed environments and lead through influence
The Jackson Laboratory Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about The Jackson Laboratory and has not been reviewed or approved by The Jackson Laboratory.
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Retirement Support — Retirement contributions up to 10% and employer‑paid life and disability insurance indicate robust long‑term financial support. The retirement program is positioned as a standout element of the total package.
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Healthcare Strength — Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, fertility benefits, FSAs, EAP access, and onsite fitness centers point to strong healthcare support. These offerings contribute to a well‑rounded, reliable benefits foundation.
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Pay Growth & Progression — Entry‑level operations roles advertise site‑specific starting pay with regularly scheduled increases. Publicly posted entry rates and promised regular increases can help satisfaction early on.
The Jackson Laboratory Insights
What We Do
Cancer. Diabetes. Alzheimer’s. Heart Disease. Parkinson’s. The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) leads the search to cure diseases rooted in our DNA. Founded in 1929, we are an NCI-designated Cancer Center since 1983 and an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit research organization with over 90 years of experience in genetics and genomics research. JAX blends the brightest minds with state-of-the-art resources to accelerate discovery. Areas of Discovery (75+ Principal Investigators, >250 Ph.D.s, M.D.s, and D.V.M.s): • Cancer: We are a National Cancer Institute designated Cancer Center focusing on cancer initiation, progression, prevention and therapies. • Developmental/reproductive biology: birth defects, Down syndrome, osteoporosis, fertility • Immunology: HIV-AIDS, anemia, autoimmunity, cancer immunology, immune disorders, lupus, transplant rejection • Metabolic diseases: atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, microbiome • Neurobiology: blindness, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, deafness, epilepsy, glaucoma, macular degeneration, neurodegenerative diseases • Neurobehavioral disorders: autism, addiction, depression Supporting Global Research: • The JAX Mouse Repository and Scientific Services are among the premier resources available for biomedical research. Committed to Education: • Summer Student Program (undergrad & high school) • Teaching the Genome Generation Short Course • Ph.D. programs: U. Maine, Tufts University and U. Connecticut • Courses, Conferences and Workshops
