Senior DEI Program Manager

About Us:
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) 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.

Core to our philosophy is how we think of our capital and its risk profile relative to other stakeholders in the drug development pipeline. We work aggressively to de-risk various therapeutic strategies and tools in the hopes of building a robust pipeline of new treatments for patients. In order to achieve our mission of finding a cure for PD it is critical that we engage with, and bring together, members of the PD community including researchers, physicians, health professionals and most important, people with Parkinson's and their families.

We believe that to find a cure for PD as quickly as possible, our capital needs to push research forward today—we therefore deliberately hold no endowment or excessive reserves. We instead seek to deploy funds raised as quickly and wisely as possible. MJFF raises over $100 million annually. Today, the Foundation has approximately 250 full-time employees. We offer a collegial and collaborative environment where optimistic problem-solvers and entrepreneurial, resourceful individuals can thrive and make a tangible difference for millions of people living with Parkinson’s disease.

Position Summary:
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (“MJFF”) is seeking top talent for its Senior DEI Program Manager position.  This position is on the People & Culture team which drives our core values of optimism, tenacity, collaboration, boldness, adaptability and curiosity.  The People & Culture team collaborates to empower and support our talented colleagues in doing their best work in service of MJFF’s mission, advancing their careers, and fostering an inclusive workplace and organizational culture.

Reporting to the Chief People Officer, this position is responsible for developing, managing and executing programs that promote diversity, equity and inclusion (“DEI”) in our people & culture at MJFF, in support of our DEI strategy. This role works closely with employees, leadership and external advisors to ensure that DEI goals are met and that a culture of inclusivity is nurtured and sustained.

This is a hybrid-flex position that will require in-person attendance on a semi-regular basis at MJFF’s office in New York City.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:
Program Development, Management, and Execution:   

• Design and implement People & Culture DEI programs, policies and initiatives aligned with MJFF’s DEI strategic pillars, goals and core values, working collaboratively with internal stakeholders across MJFF.  
• Develop and manage metrics to track the effectiveness of DEI programs and report on progress. 
• Ensure DEI programs are integrated into all aspects of the organization, including recruitment, retention, professional development and employee engagement. 

Strategy and Planning:  

• Collaborate with leadership to execute against the DEI strategic plan.  
• Conduct needs assessments and research to identify gaps and opportunities in DEI practices. 
• Stay current on industry trends and best practices related to DEI and integrate relevant insights into the organization’s programs. 

Training and Education:  

• Partner with external specialists and advisors to design and deliver DEI training and workshops for employees and leadership.  
• Develop educational materials and resources to raise awareness and promote understanding of DEI topics in a manner that is accessible to our employees. 

Community and Employee Engagement:  

• Foster relationships with external DEI organizations and community groups to support and enhance the company’s DEI initiatives.  
• Serve as a resource and advocate for employees on DEI-related issues and concerns. 
• Evolve and support employee resource groups, affinity groups and other employee engagement activities to promote inclusion and belonging. 

Reporting and Communication:  

• Prepare and present regular reports on DEI program outcomes, challenges, and opportunities to stakeholders.  
• Communicate DEI initiatives and successes both internally and externally to reinforce the Foundation’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. 

Qualifications and Skills:

• Relevant experience in DEI program management or related roles, with a track record of developing and implementing successful DEI and employee engagement initiatives.  
• Relevant program and project management experience. 
• Strong understanding of DEI principles, practices, and legal requirements.  
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence and engage a diverse range of stakeholders. Comfortable with public speaking. 
• Experience with data analysis and reporting to measure the effectiveness of DEI programs.  
• Strong written communication and presentation skills. 
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.  

Salary and Benefits:
The salary range for this position is $95,000 - $115,000.  In addition to salary, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• 15+ options for medical insurance (with MJFF 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 days Paid Time Off (PTO); 12 Well-Being (Sick) Days; 2 Personal Days; summer Fridays (office closure at 2pm) and a summer holiday week over July 4.
• Two ways of working: hybrid-flex, or remote work.  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. MJFF provides staff and leadership cultivation through regular training courses and events. 

Vaccine Statement: 
At The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF), the health and safety of our team and our community is a priority. MJFF has made the decision to require all staff receive the COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment. Successful applicants for this position must be fully vaccinated by date of hire and proof of vaccine is required. Full vaccination is defined as two weeks after both doses of two-dose vaccine or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine has been administered. Anyone unable to be vaccinated, because of medical or religious reasons, can request a reasonable accommodation for consideration.

How to Apply:
Interested candidates should submit a resume and thoughtful cover letter describing their specific qualifications and interest in the position.

MJFF is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from individuals who will contribute to our efforts to build and support a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce. Diversity may refer to characteristics including, but not limited to, race, religion, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic circumstance, geographic background, ability and disability, political ideology and age.