Join our entrepreneurial team working to advance discovery science, collaborative philanthropy, and holistic approaches to strengthening science and democracy. We are looking for a highly collaborative Program Infrastructure manager to produce exceptional philanthropic programs for our civic science, Scholars, and philanthropic networks.

About the Foundation

The Rita Allen Foundation, a nationally prominent venture philanthropy organization, is seeking a Program Infrastructure Manager to support its next phase of programmatic growth and impact at a pivotal moment. The Foundation invests in discoveries in their earliest stages in biomedical research, civic science, and philanthropic practice. Through its work in civic science, the Foundation seeds networks to accelerate learning, inclusion, and impact to ensure that science and evidence help to inform solutions to society’s most pressing problems.

Established in 1953, the Foundation is well-known for its long-standing Rita Allen Foundation Scholars Program,which has supported more than 225 early-career biomedical scientists conducting bold research that has reshaped fields—from neuroscience and immunology to cancer and pain research— and whose alumni have been recognized with Nobel Prizes in Physiology and Medicine and other prestigious honors. With the leadership of President and Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Good Christopherson since 2009, the Foundation has emerged as a leader in civic science, co-creating the Civic Science Fellows program, which to date has supported more than 75 partner organizations and 70 next generation leaders in creating new pilots, partnerships, knowledge, models, and ways of working that can help seed collaborations between science and society. This approach to convening and field-building is evident in the Foundation’s leadership of the Civic Science Funders Collaborative.

These efforts, spanning discovery science, civic science, and philanthropic practice, reflect a distinctive model: investing early, thinking collaboratively, and building knowledge and networks that strengthen the effectiveness of philanthropy. Today, the Foundation combines institutional strength with the agility of a “philanthropic lab”—established enough to take the long view, small enough to move with conviction, and committed to learning in the open. Increasingly, the Foundation also seeks to demonstrate what a more adaptive, collaborative model of philanthropy can look like in practice.

About the Role

The Program Infrastructure position at the Rita Allen Foundation reports to Strategic Engagement and is responsible for developing, managing, and strengthening the infrastructure that supports the Foundation’s Scholars program and the Civic Science Fellows program, organized by the Foundation in partnership with the Civic Science Funders Collaborative. The person in this role is responsible for the day-to-day execution of the Rita Allen Scholars award and the internal operations of the Civic Science Fellows program. Responsibilities include creating and implementing the systems and playbooks that enable both programs to run smoothly. This role also contributes to strategic learning and partnership infrastructure and collaborates with the Foundation team to support Rita Allen’s leadership and participation in national and international funding collaboratives.

This is an outstanding opportunity for someone energized by delivering exceptional program operations for a mission-driven organization. Program Infrastructure will play a key role in the Foundation’s highly collaborative team working to advance breakthrough solutions and redefine how philanthropy can operate in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.  

In our work together, you will:

PROGRAM INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT – APPROXIMATELY 75%

• Manage the annual Rita Allen Scholars award that supports early-career scientists conducting basic biomedical research in the fields of cancer, immunology, neuroscience, and pain, ensuring smooth and effective awards processes
• Manage day-to-day operations of the Civic Science Fellows program, including running LOI processes, tracking cohorts and milestones, producing program materials, maintaining project plans, and keeping internal reporting and records current
• Create and maintain detailed program playbooks so procedures are repeatable, transparent, and easy for the Foundation and partners to implement
• Collaborate internally with our team to elevate strategic questions and insights, ensuring alignment for next steps
• Manage day-to-day execution of those next steps with a learning orientation and focus on strengthening programs, partnerships, learning, and impact
• Support the Foundation to assess and report on progress toward strategic goals and incorporate ongoing learning into program infrastructure  

PARTNERSHIPS INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT – APPROXIMATELY 10%

• Manage collaborative processes to assess needs, select and implement, and support use of data, project, and relationship management tools and systems
• Support the Foundation’s leadership in partnership development through strategic research, learning and listening, and engagement in collaborative writing
• Support the Foundation’s leadership and participation in national and international funding collaboratives, including preparing background research, materials, and updates and serving as the Foundation’s representative with select collaborative groups and interfacing with their staff, consultants, and fiscal sponsors as needed

STRATEGIC SUPPORT – APPROXIMATELY 10%

• Contribute to assessing and reporting on progress toward organizational goals, including reviewing grant reports for key insights and updates
• Directly manage one or more outside consultants, fostering a culture of effective collaboration to make the most of emergent opportunities and advance long-term goals 
• Contribute to the Foundation by taking on additional projects and program-related responsibilities, as needed

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT – APPROXIMATELY 5%

• Participate in the organizational life of the Foundation 
• Build personal and group capacity to meet the needs of the Foundation and its programs, in collaboration with colleagues

We are looking for:

The ideal candidate will be eager to make a positive difference for the organization and the field by collaboratively building and managing the program infrastructure that supports early-career leaders and innovative ideas. 

• An energetic program manager with a zest for reaching ambitious goals through creative approaches and collaboration with others, able to develop and manage adaptive program infrastructure to deliver on evolving opportunities for impact and connection. This is the kind of team player who loves rolling up their sleeves and contributing to every stage of a project when needed to produce the best results.
• An agile collaborator—one who excels when working with a diverse mix of people, embracing an iterative team-based process of content creation and decision-making, and advancing projects with enthusiasm for working in teams—with the ability to coordinate complex processes and produce deliverables on deadline.  
• A highly organized and effective communicator skilled at writing for interdisciplinary audiences, with a demonstrated track record of program communications that help build relationships and engagement with leaders in philanthropy, scientific institutions, the social sector, government, and/or business.
• An infrastructure builder with meticulous attention to detail, who can help the Foundation and its partners develop and implement systems for collaboration.
• Able to learn, use, and adapt tools and processes essential to advancing our programs and communications, which currently include Fluxx grants management software, ClickUp, WordPress, Mailchimp, Canva, Salesforce, Airtable, LinkedIn, and the Microsoft Office suite.
• Experience working in an executive, development, editorial, communications, analytic, or programmatic role for five years or more, along with experience in academic, philanthropic, media, government, community organizing, public-benefit, or nonprofit spaces.
• Preferably, an advanced degree in a STEM field, the social sciences, humanities, communication, journalism, administration, or interdisciplinary studies—or equivalent lived and professional experience. Awareness of issues related to philanthropy, ethics, equity, and the practice of science is strongly desired.

Compensation and Location

Salary commensurate with experience. We also offer a highly competitive benefits package, including health, dental, and life insurance; a defined-contribution retirement plan; and a generous paid-time-off program.

The position is based in downtown Princeton, New Jersey, and operates in a hybrid work environment, with in-office expectations to be determined with the successful candidate. Occasional domestic travel is expected for convenings and partner meetings.

To Apply

Please email [email protected] to submit a résumé and cover letter describing your interest in this position. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible for the fullest consideration. The position will remain open until filled.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds. The Rita Allen Foundation is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, sex or gender, marital or civil union status, age, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, military status, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic as established under law. All individuals are welcomed and encouraged to apply.