Scientific Program Manager

The Scientific Program Manager oversees a portfolio of scientific programs and research investments that support the Gilbert Family Foundation's Curing NF priorities. This role provides scientific leadership across funded projects, manages program deliverables and outcomes, and cultivates strategic relationships with researchers, advisors, and partner organizations to advance the Foundation's mission.

About the role

• Manage the full lifecycle of assigned research awards, including kickoff, progress monitoring, reviews, amendments, and scientific closeout activities
• Evaluate scientific progress, provide guidance to investigators, and assess project outcomes against established objectives
• Partner with internal stakeholders to support grant administration, financial reviews, budget oversight, and data-sharing requirements
• Conduct portfolio analyses, identify emerging scientific opportunities, and contribute to the development of research priorities and Requests for Applications (RFAs)
• Collaborate with other Scientific Program Managers and cross-functional partners to advance portfolio strategy and maximize impact across programs
• Support Scientific Advisory Board activities by preparing insights, recommendations, and scientific updates
• Develop and maintain relationships with grantees, advisors, investigators, partner organizations, and other key stakeholders within the scientific community
• Represent the Gilbert Family Foundation at scientific conferences, meetings, site visits, and other external engagements
• Convene and facilitate working groups and collaborative forums that strengthen coordination among funded programs and research teams
• Collaborate on the planning and execution of scientific meetings and events that promote knowledge sharing, collaboration, and advancement of Curing NF objectives

About you

Minimum Qualifications

• Advanced scientific or medical degree with training in biomedical sciences
• Direct experience in drug discovery, preclinical development, clinical studies, or a related area of biomedical research
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate scientific progress against defined objectives and communicate findings clearly to scientific and non-scientific audiences
• Strong interpersonal, stakeholder-management, and written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience convening and aligning multiple stakeholders around complex goals and outcomes
• Prior grantmaking, foundation, or philanthropic program experience
• Experience overseeing research grants or contracts
• Experience in Neurofibromatosis, rare disease, or a related field of biomedical research
• Experience managing program or research budgets

What you'll get

Our team members fuel our strategy, innovation and growth, so we ensure the health and well-being of not just you, but your family, too! We go above and beyond to give you the support you need on an individual level and offer all sorts of ways to help you live your best life. We are proud to offer eligible team members perks and health benefits that will help you have peace of mind. Simply put: We've got your back. Check out our full list of Benefits and Perks.

About us

The Gilbert Family Foundation is a private nonprofit foundation founded by Jennifer and Dan Gilbert to accelerate a cure for neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and build economic opportunity and equity in the city of Detroit. The Gilbert Family Foundation supports groundbreaking, cutting-edge research in hopes of eradicating NF1, a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerves anywhere in the body. Additionally, the Foundation supports the economic stability and mobility of residents in Detroit by investing in wealth-building opportunities and breaking down systemic barriers.

This job description is an outline of the primary responsibilities of this position and may be modified at the discretion of the company at any time.  Decisions related to employment are not based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, military or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.  The company provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable state and federal laws.  Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations in completing the application and/or participating in the application process should contact a member of the Human Resources team, at Careers@Rocket.com.