Manager, Strategic Initiatives – Office of Science & Innovation

The mission of the Allen Institute is to unlock the complexities of bioscience and advance our knowledge to improve human health. Using an open science, multi-scale, team-oriented approach, the Allen Institute focuses on accelerating foundational research, developing standards and models, and cultivating new ideas to make a broad, transformational impact on science.

The mission of the Allen Institute administration team is to provide support and structure to the scientific divisions. Coinciding with the team science approach, administration helps facilitate team learning and the overall mission of the institute. The Office of Science and Innovation (OSI) works to drive strategic and operational solutions to promote innovation and partnerships within and beyond Allen Institute research programs.

The Manager will lead a team that develops and manages programs and initiatives in a startup-like environment that impact key Allen Institute activities. Programs may be exceptionally large projects or may consist of several projects under the auspices of the larger program. In addition to people management, this role may manage one or more programs simultaneously or consecutively. This role will report to the Director within the Office of Science and Innovation, and will involve working with a broad set of external and internal stakeholders including leaders and team members across all Allen Institute divisions. The ability to navigate conflict with diplomacy and build coalitions across diverse stakeholders will be crucial to the success of the Manager.

The Allen Institute believes that team science significantly benefits from the participation of diverse voices, experiences, and backgrounds. High-quality science can only be produced when it includes different perspectives. We are committed to increasing diversity across every team and encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for this role.

Essential Functions

• Manage a team to develop and deliver projects and programs
• Represent the team in cross-functional efforts and communicate effectively for project advancement
• Lead by example, fostering accountability, and mentoring the team for effective program and project management and growth
• Provide team guidance, regular feedback, education, coaching, and mentoring
• Identify key roles required for team success and recruit talent as needed
• Effectively influence leaders and key partners to gain alignment
• Manage the creation of and adherence to program and project goals and objectives, deliverables, timelines, and other program-related matters using best practices and tools
• Ensure maximum productivity and time management by delegating, assigning, and reprioritizing work as appropriate to accomplish team objectives
• Manage and facilitate Allen Institute’s interactions with external organizations
• Cultivate and maintain positive working relationships with Allen Institute staff, external partners, and other stakeholders
• Work collaboratively to recommend, develop, and implement new initiatives and strategies
• Draft and deliver persuasive and compelling position papers, statements, presentations, and other materials for internal and external audiences
• Identify and mitigate events that may negatively impact relationships between the Allen Institute staff, external partners, and other stakeholders
• Lead and deliver reporting for stakeholders and leadership, including keeping senior leadership appropriately advised and informed of emerging events
• Plan, oversee, and lead workshops and meetings with clear agendas, expected outcomes, and follow-up on project-related actions
• Lead the shaping, integration, and reporting of activity-specific evaluation measures
• Lead fiscal management for the team, including budget planning, resource forecasting, expenditure monitoring, reporting, and compliance to budget
• Track and ensure performance of team members, programs, and projects
• Other related duties, as assigned

Note: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Required Education and Experience

• Doctoral degree in life sciences or equivalent combination of degree and experience
• 7 years minimum experience in project/program manager roles with progressively responsible project/program management experience
• 1 year minimum experience in managing teams
• Experience with compiling and ensuring adherence to budgets
• Experience in startup or new program initiation, design, and build-out
• Proven management, leadership, and interpersonal skills including superior judgement, problem solving, group motivation, diplomacy, and written and verbal communication
• Experience presenting progress and results at the senior leadership/board of directors level

Preferred Education and Experience

• 2 or more years of experience in research or administration in the life sciences, including basic research, biomedical, biotechnology, and/or related fields
• 2 or more years of experience in managing teams
• 2 or more years of experience in startup or new program initiation, design, and build-out
• Comfort with technology and data management
• Formal training in project or program management
• Understanding, appreciation for and experience with open science principles and practice
• Strong work ethic, sense of urgency, and self-motivation, including the ability to follow through to complete tasks independently
• Proficient with MS Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Able to act in accordance with Allen Institute values as outlined in the Code of Conduct

Physical Demands

• Sitting, standing and/or walking for up to 8 hours per day
• Fine motor movements in fingers/hands to operate computers and other office equipment

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Occasional evening and weekend hours as needed
• This role is currently able to work both remotely and onsite in a hybrid work environment. We are a Washington State employer, and the primary work location for all Allen Institute employees is 615 Westlake Ave N.; any remote work must be performed in Washington State

Travel

• Occasional regional and national travel as needed
• Attendance and participation in OSI events and/or national conferences as needed

Additional Comments

• *Please note, this opportunity does not sponsor work visas*
• **Please note, this opportunity offers modest relocation assistance**

Annualized Salary Range

• $151,500 - $208,285*

* Final salary depends on the required education for the role, experience, level of skills relevant to the role, and work location, where applicable.

Benefits

• Employees (and their families) are eligible to enroll in benefits per eligibility rules outlined in the Allen Institute’s Benefits Guide. These benefits include medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are also eligible to enroll in the Allen Institute’s 401k plan. Paid time off is also available as outlined in the Allen Institutes Benefits Guide. Details on the Allen Institute’s benefits offering are located at the following link to the Benefits Guide: https://alleninstitute.org/careers/benefits.

It is the policy of the Allen Institute to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the Allen Institute will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities