Associate Director, Fellowships & Professional Learning

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JOB TITLE:

Associate Director, Fellowships & Professional Learning

DEPARTMENT: Fellowships

REPORTS TO: SVP, Scientific Programs & Awards

SUMMARY:

The Associate Director, Fellowships & Professional Learning reports to the Senior Vice President, Scientific Programs and Awards, and leads the strategy, execution, and growth of the Academy’s scientific Fellowships & Professional Learning portfolio. This includes programs such as the Leon Levy Scholarships in Neuroscience and the Science Alliance program for graduate students and post-doctoral researchers.

The portfolio advances the Academy’s mission by supporting exceptional early-career scientists through direct research funding and structured mentorship, while equipping a global community of researchers with the critical skills to navigate diverse career pathways and strengthen the scientific workforce.

As the portfolio expands across disciplines and career stages, the Associate Director will play a key role in shaping strategic partnerships, securing new sources of support, and engaging key stakeholders―including funders, institutional partners, and program participants―while driving program innovation, impact assessment, and operational excellence across the portfolio.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Develop and implement the strategic vision for the Fellowships & Professional Learning portfolio in partnership with the SVP, aligning programs with the Academy’s mission and growth objectives.
• Translate strategic priorities into actionable program plans and clearly communicate goals, timelines, and expectations across internal teams.
• Drive the development and continuous improvement of Fellowships & Professional Learning programs, including workshops, seminars, cohort-based learning experiences, structured mentorship initiatives, and related convenings and events.
• Oversee Fellowships administration and lead portfolio-wide impact assessment and reporting, including tracking participant progress and outcomes, and delivering high-quality reporting to funders, sponsors, institutional partners, and members, to demonstrate program impact, support stewardship, and inform strategic decision-making.
• Lead and oversee Program Managers in the design, delivery, and evaluation of Fellowship & Professional Learning programs, ensuring high-quality participant experiences and measurable impact across in-person, virtual, and hybrid formats.
• Lead the development and management of strategic partnerships with NYC-based, U.S. national, and international academic institutions, research organizations, and other stakeholders to expand program reach, strengthen Fellowships applicant and Science Alliance member institution pipelines, and support portfolio growth.
• Play a key role in revenue generation and cost-recovery goals by partnering with the Advancement team to secure funding to sustain and expand the portfolio, including developing proposals, identifying new funding opportunities, and supporting donor and sponsor engagement. Identify and execute opportunities to expand program impact and representation across scientific and educational communities.
• Collaborate with the Finance team on budget development, financial tracking, and reporting to support effective portfolio management. Ensure programs are delivered on time, and within budget, proactively identifying risks and implementing solutions, and ensuring compliance with contractual and funding requirements.
• Coordinate with internal departments to plan and execute Fellowships selection, orientation, engagement activities, and related events in the U.S. and internationally.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Contributions and Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop a strong understanding of the Academy’s mission, strategy, and program portfolio, and contribute to discussions on long-term goals from a programmatic, scientific, and workforce development perspective.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with scientific researchers, academic institutions, government agencies, industry partners, and professional learning stakeholders to support program growth and impact.
• Maintain strong communication with program sponsors, funders, and institutional partners, contributing to stewardship, reporting, and ongoing engagement. Identify and pursue new funding opportunities and strategic partnerships to expand the reach and sustainability of Fellowship & Professional Learning programs.

Program Operations and Continuous Improvement

• Ensure compliance with Academy policies, financial controls, and data reporting requirements.
• Track financial obligations with sponsors and partners, in coordination with internal teams.
• Establish and monitor program performance metrics across both Fellowship & Professional Learning initiatives; use data and participant feedback to inform continuous improvements.
• Prepare regular updates for senior leadership, highlighting program performance, risks, opportunities, and impact.
• Support recruitment and selection processes for Fellows, program participants, judges, and mentors, as well as the identification and engagement of expert facilitators, speakers, and instructors for Professional Learning programs, ensuring fairness, transparency, and adherence to ethical standards.
• Contribute to the development of policies, procedures, and best practices that guide application, evaluation, and selection processes as well as program delivery, evaluation, and participant experience across the portfolio.
• Collaborate with external partners and institutions to strengthen applicant pipelines, expand participation, and increase global engagement across Fellowship & Professional Learning programs.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

The Associate Director directly supervises two Program Managers who support the Academy’s Fellowships & Professional Learning portfolio. Responsibilities include overseeing day-to-day activities, workload management, and performance evaluation in alignment with the Academy’s performance management process. The Associate Director provides mentorship, guidance, and professional development support to ensure the high-quality delivery of Fellowship & Professional Learning programs, including consistency in program design, participant experience, and overall impact.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Ph.D. in Life Sciences, Neuroscience, or closely related field (e.g. biology, biomedical sciences, etc.) Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in academia, industry, nonprofit/NGO, higher education, publishing, or government. Experience in nonprofit, higher education, continuing education, or workforce development environments a plus. Familiarity with neuroscience research communities, training pathways or fellowship programs preferred.
• Demonstrated experience designing, managing, and scaling Fellowship and/or Professional Learning programs, preferably for scientific, technical, or academic audiences. Background in neuroscience or working with neuroscience-focused programs is strongly preferred. Ability to synthesize and communicate complex scientific information outside your own area of expertise.
• Experience developing successful funding proposals, securing sponsorship, or building partnerships that support program growth and sustainability strongly preferred.
• Strong project management skills; demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines across teams and partners.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills; ability to work with scientists, educators, and stakeholders across sectors.
• Experience working with or applying adult learning principles, instructional design, or participant-centered program design approaches are desirable.
• Comfort with program budgeting and financial tracking; ability to support cost-recovery models and reporting to funders and leadership. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to propose improvements based on data and feedback.
• High level of professionalism, integrity, and judgment; collaborative team player committed to the Academy’s mission.

WORK SCHEDULE:

The Academy operates during standard business hours Monday through Friday from 9am-5pm ET. Standard work week is 35 hours, unless otherwise noted.

Academy offices are located in Downtown Manhattan and offers a flexible hybrid work model, which includes a combination of in-office and remote work. Specific in-office days are determined in coordination with the team and leadership. Flexibility is offered where possible, but regular in-person collaboration is required to support team effectiveness and project goals.

The Associate Director is expected to attend all events and activities associated with the Fellowships & Professional Learning program portfolio.

This position is primarily sedentary and performed in a professional office environment. The role routinely uses standard office equipment, including computers, phones, photocopiers, and video conferencing technology. Employees are regularly required to sit or stand for extended periods, communicate effectively, and occasional walking, bending, or lifting of light items (up to 10 pounds) may be required.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

Salary Range: $95,000- $105,000 annually. This is a full-time, exempt position.

The salary listed represents a target range; final compensation will be determined based on multiple factors, including experience and qualifications.

In addition to salary, the Academy offers a comprehensive benefits package, which includes affordable health insurance, a retirement plan with matching employer contributions, a personal and career development stipend, as well as generous paid time off policies.

HOW TO APPLY:

Applications must include a resume and cover letter.