VP, Head of Business Management (Research Programs & Partnerships)
About the role
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (“the Foundation”) is seeking top talent for its VP, Head of Business Management (Research Programs & Partnerships). Reporting to the Chief Program Officer, this position leads portfolio planning, resource management, and performance oversight for the Research Programs & Partnerships (RPP) business unit, ensuring alignment with enterprise priorities and operating processes.
Responsibilities
Lead RPP annual planning processes in partnership with the Chief Program Officer and the Office of the CEO that translates RPP priorities into coordinated operating plans, portfolio roadmaps, and measurable objectives.
Maintain portfolio visibility across initiatives, dependencies, risks, and trade-offs to support timely RPP and enterprise leadership decisions.
Prepare prioritization and sequence recommendations for review by Research Operations and business unit leadership and ensure coordination across other organization Business Units.
Continuously improve planning, reporting, and governance processes to increase clarity, consistency, and operational effectiveness.
Partner with the Chief Program Officer and Office of the CEO to set, monitor, and review business unit OKRs and KPIs.
Serve as a central integrator between RPP and other teams, facilitating alignment, removing barriers, and ensuring leadership has clear visibility into progress and trade-offs.
Partner with the Chief Program Officer and leaders within the business unit to develop business cases for new initiatives.
Define and track OKRs, KPIs, dashboards, and reporting that provide visibility into portfolio performance, operational health, and progress against plan.
Deliver executive- and Board-ready reporting and insights in partnership with the Chief Program Officer and the Office of the CEO to support strategic decision-making.
Assess the existing RPP function and enterprise workflows, then make recommendations for an optimal team structure, including developing the long-term talent plans required to execute the strategy.
Manage and develop a high-performing team by setting clear goals and performance expectations, providing ongoing coaching and feedback, and fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Oversee workforce planning, organizational design, and resource allocation for the function, ensuring the appropriate talent, skills, and capacity are in place to meet current and future business needs.
Contribute to business unit strategy, organizational effectiveness, and cross-functional decision-making while building leadership capability and succession strength within the team.
Qualifications and Skills
Proven experience in business management, strategic planning, budget management, and project management.
Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret financial data and make data-driven decisions.
Excellent organizational and leadership skills with experience in leading and influencing cross-functional teams; demonstrates an enterprise mindset.
Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present complex information clearly to diverse audiences.
Proven experience leading and motivating teams is strongly preferred.
Proficiency in project management software and financial management tools.
Familiarity with non-profit/programmatic organizations, processes, systems, and terminology.
Strong service-orientation.
Skilled at balancing competing priorities and stakeholder needs.
Experience in life sciences, healthcare research, consulting or related industry is a plus.
Compensation & Benefits
Individual compensation for this role is dependent on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, qualifications, skillsets, and applicable laws. In addition to salary, the Foundation offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- 15+ options for medical insurance (with the Foundation paying 90 percent of the premiums)
- Competitive dental and vision plans
- 401(k) plan with 6 percent employer contribution
- Flexible spending accounts
- Employer paid life and disability insurance
- 18 Vacation Days; 12 Well-Being (Sick) Days; 2 Personal Days; summer Fridays (office closure at 2pm) and a summer holiday week over July 4
- A flexible work environment. We trust all employees to work closely with their manager and colleagues to determine when, where and how programs and projects get done.
- Employees are also eligible for a discretionary bonus on an annual basis.
- The Foundation provides staff and leadership cultivation through regular training courses and events.
About Us
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research was founded in 2000 with one clear objective: accelerating meaningful therapeutic advances and, ultimately, a cure for Parkinson’s disease (PD). 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, having funded over $2 billion in research projects in both academic and industry labs worldwide.