Senior Director, Scientific Program Management – Brain Health

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 Allen Institute is launching a new moonshot initiative on human brain health and disease. This initiative aims to dramatically accelerate our understanding of human brain structure and function, identify the molecular, cellular and circuit basis of disease progression, and pioneer new therapeutic strategies targeting vulnerable and affected cell types. Our mission focuses on taking a human-centric approach to understanding and treating disease, combining a large-scale open science discovery approach across multiple diseases, AI-based disease modeling, and translational programs in specific diseases to move from discovery to clinical application. We aim to make transformational change in understanding and treating brain disorders, the biggest health challenge of our time.

The Senior Director, Scientific Program Management helps to advance the mission of the initiative through exceptional support of our growing portfolio of field-changing scientific programs. This dynamic leader will drive and manage support functions for execution of a wide range of internally and grant-supported programs and projects to facilitate the Institute’s scientific discoveries and technological advancements. This position reports to the Initiative’s Executive Vice President, and will oversee a range of activities including program and project management, strategic planning and development of program portfolios.

The Senior Director, Scientific Program Management will be an experienced program management director with a proven track record of success in managing a team responsible for large programs across interdisciplinary departments within a fast-paced research environment. They will partner with Scientific Operations and Alliance management to manage a complex multisite collaborative portfolio and ensure effective planning, execution and reporting. The ideal candidate will be highly motivated, team-oriented, agile, with excellent managerial and communication skills and exceptional talents in overcoming obstacles to ensure continual progress and successful execution of complex scientific programs in fast-changing circumstances.

At the Allen Institute, we believe that science is for everyone – and should be open to everyone. We are dedicated to combating biases and reducing barriers to STEM careers more broadly.

We also believe that science is better when it includes different perspectives and voices. We strive to make the Allen Institute a place where everyone feels like they belong and are empowered to do their best work in a supportive environment.

We are an equal-opportunity employer and strongly encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for our open positions.

Essential Functions

• Set the scientific program management strategy and operating model for the initiative, establishing governance, standards, and decision rights that enable rigor, speed, and accountability at scale
• Build, lead, and retain a high-impact program management organization, setting expectations, developing leaders, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and delivery excellence
• Partner with executive and scientific leadership to shape and steward an integrated program portfolio, aligning investments, sequencing, and success metrics to achieve the initiative’s scientific and translational outcomes
• Evolve program and project management capabilities (tools, cadences, and performance insights) to meet the needs of a rapidly scaling organization and an expanding, multi-modal scientific portfolio
• Provide support and coach program leaders to drive disciplined portfolio planning and execution, including clear objectives, measurable outcomes, integrated roadmaps, and resource-aware delivery plans
• Lead cross-functional portfolio planning with functional leaders and Finance to define multi-year roadmaps, budgets, capacity models, and resourcing trade-offs that optimize impact across programs
• Partner with the EVP and other senior leaders to shape and execute the initiative’s external funding strategy, partnering with scientific leaders, Finance, and Sponsored Research to develop competitive proposals that advance priority programs and strengthen long-term sustainability
• Create clear executive-level portfolio narratives and decision materials for leadership, internal reviews, and advisory councils, enabling timely course-correction, accountability, and informed investment decisions
• Drive alignment across scientific and operational stakeholders to remove delivery barriers, proactively manage risks and dependencies, and resolve competing priorities to keep critical programs advancing
• Establish portfolio performance management (milestones, leading indicators, financial stewardship) to ensure outcomes are achieved and to transparently surface trade-offs, risks, and corrective actions
• Communicate and influence across executive, scientific, and operational audiences, translating complex scientific programs into actionable decisions, clear priorities, and sustained organizational alignment

*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

• Ph.D in a life science; or equivalent combination of degree and experience
• Minimum 10 years of experience managing programs and projects in biotech, pharmaceutical, or other innovative life sciences, including a strong track record of delivering programs and projects on time and within budget
• Extensive technical knowledge in at least two of the following areas: neuroscience, neurological disease models, genomics technologies, biophysics, and/or genetics
• Demonstrated organizational, leadership and management skills
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Supervisory experience

Preferred Education and Experience

• Exceptional problem solving and decision-making skills
• Excellent written, verbal communication, and influence management skills in English (both written and verbal)
• 10+ years experience in preparation and submission of NIH grant applications, including advanced knowledge of the budget process and relevant compliance and post-award reporting requirements
• Experience with financial reporting and forecasting, including familiarity with related software such as Adaptive
• Ability to effectively execute or delegate a wide range of responsibilities in relation to program and project management
• Experience working in a highly matrixed environment

Physical Demands

• Fine motor movements in fingers/hands to operate computers and other office equipment

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• 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 attendance and participation in national and international conferences

Annualized Salary Range

$224,200 - $294,250 *

* 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.