Programs Manager

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join Harvard Medical School?

Harvard Medical School's mission is to nurture a diverse, inclusive community dedicated to alleviating suffering and improving health and well-being for all through excellence in teaching and learning, discovery and scholarship, and service and leadership.

You’ll be at the heart of biomedical discovery, education, and innovation, working alongside world-renowned faculty and a community dedicated to improving human health. This is more than a job - it’s an opportunity to shape the future of medicine.

About the Armenise-Harvard Foundation:

Established in 1996, through a gift from Count Giovanni Auletta Armenise, the Armenise-Harvard Foundation was the result of his desire to “establish multidisciplinary, basic science research that will support leading scientists at Harvard Medical School and at foremost institutions in Italy, in the pursuit of knowledge and scientific discovery for the benefit of humankind…” Through individual and institutional grants, fellowship programs, symposia and scientific meetings, the Foundation promotes collaboration and scientific discovery in Italy and the U.S. Further information: www.armeniseharvard.org.

Job Description

The Programs Manager (“PM”) reports to the Executive Director of the Foundation and oversees initiatives in Italy and at Harvard Medical School, including our largest individual grant (Career Development Award), with an annual spend of between USD 1.4-1.6M, and involving the recipients of the award (approx. 35 as of 2024, plus one or two new grantees every year) and their host institutions. In doing so, the PM executes a central part of our mission, with oversight for administration, operations, and key contributions to communications, outreach and creating partnerships. The CDA program involves a growing group of PIs, and the PM maintains connection with them, as well as additional program recipients, regularly reviewing labs and their host institutes. In addition, they serve as primary contact between the Boston office and our Italian Public Relations office, as well as our website manager in Italy. This individual seeks fundraising to support current programs and new initiatives. Represents the Foundation both in private and public meetings.

General portfolio management

Works with Executive Director to develop and implement a strategy and programs for the Foundation’s sustainability and growth with a focus on Italian programs: (a) Fundraising to finance new Foundation initiative (b) Generation of new leads and establishes priorities for new programs and partnerships (c) Strategic planning to identify areas of need and solutions within basic science research (d) Goal setting and metrics to evaluate the programs impact (e) Strategic planning to increase public awareness of the Foundation’s work (f) Contribution to public relations and media initiatives

Program Portfolio Management

1. Independently runs, administers and manages the Calls for all programs including: (a) call for application preparation, communication, and posting (b) potential candidates’ inquiries resolution (c) collection of applications’ documents (d) eligibility and completion verification for each application (e) collation and distributions to reviewers (f) collection and elaboration of reviewers’ evaluation (g) organization of interviews of selected candidates (including logistics and meeting management) (h) preparation of feedback letters and all other relevant communications with interested parties (i) coordinates review committees (including Italian Scientific Advisory Committee, GAHF Airalzh Mid-Career Award, INF-ACT Foundation Mid-Career Award, Summer Fellowship) and the identification of new members (j) sends requests for annual and final reports form the sponsored scientists
2. Independently manages relationships with sponsored scientists and host institutes: (a) primary contact for Italian institutes involved in Foundation programs (b) provide administrative support for Foundation grantees in Italy (c) organizes, executes and reports on annual lab visits to current and post awardees

Strategic Partnership and Outreach

1. Independently monitors and implement communication tools and strategy: (a) Supervises preparation of quarterly newsletter (b) Key designer of Foundation symposia and meetings (c) Represents the Foundation at occasional scientific and public affairs meetings (d) Ensures Foundation’s website is up-to-date and maintained properly (e) Reports on programs to the Foundations Scientific Advisory Board and Board of Trustees (f) Provide translation of written communications, as needed (g) Works closely with the Public Relationship Office
2. Independently implement existing partnership and identifies new ones: (a) Identify and develop new contacts re: faculty support, inter-agency involvement (b) Prepares presentations for outreach

Staff Oversight

(a) Supervises the staff of the Public Relations Office, negotiates their renewal contract, ensures their work is complete and timely (b) Supervises the Website Manager, negotiates their renewal contract, ensures their work is complete and timely

Working Conditions:

Working remotely, frequent travel in Italy required. Few travels to the USA possible.

As part of your application, we recommend including a cover letter that will help us better understand your qualifications and background. This can provide valuable insight into your experience and interest in the role.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Master's degree (or equivalent).
• PhD in STEM preferred.
• Verbal and written fluency in both Italian and English.
• Regular travel across Italy is required.
• Strong passion to support scientific research.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills; strong work ethic; good team player; strong diplomatic skills; mature; professional attitude; data oriented, able to work independently; personable; comfortable working with the scientific community.
• Knowledge and understanding of the Italian research and academic system preferred.
• Fluency in Italian.