Program Manager

The Program Manager supports the development and execution complex, cross-functional preclinical program, working closely with internal stakeholders, senior leadership, and external partners. This role blends clinical scientific expertise (gained through clinical experience or foundational work) with program coordination and serves as a key partner to the Study Director and VP of the RDTC.

This role contributes to the planning, coordination, and delivery of key initiatives, including supporting grant-funded activities and associated reporting requirements. APMs are expected to interact with patient advocacy groups, rare disease families, researchers and biotechs. Operating with limited supervision, the Program Manager helps define program requirements, identifies dependencies across teams and resources, and coordinates input to ensure alignment and successful execution.

The role maintains visibility into program and initiative activities, including grant-related work, tracks timelines and deliverables, and helps ensure progress across cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities include developing and distributing program communications, responding to stakeholder inquiries, monitoring program progress and performance, and providing regular updates and reports to leadership or program sponsors. The position also coordinates internal and external communications with collaborators, including managing grant timelines, deliverables, and reporting deadlines, and ensures alignment among all stakeholders. The Associate Program Manager plays a key role in supporting high-quality program execution and compliance with grant requirements, while demonstrating increasing independence, accountability, and ownership over time.

About the RDTC

The Rare Disease Translational Center supports the mission of The Jackson Laboratory: to discover precise genomic solutions for disease and empower the global biomedical community to improve human health. The RDTC partners with foundations and teams of basic and clinical researchers to generate custom mouse models with clinically relevant mutations and advance therapeutic development for rare diseases.

Key Responsibilities and Essential Functions

• Interact with patient advocacy groups, rare disease families, academic researchers and biotech companies and advise on scientific need and therapeutic strategies
• Prioritize and set goals for accomplishing center’s objectives. Oversees project coordination, execution, and completion.
• Provides advanced administrative support for data collection and reporting in conjunction with NIH requirements and program-specific goals
• Works closely with the Office of Sponsored Programs to ensure timely, accurate and complete responses to NIH reporting requirements and requests for information; providing logistical support for special events, meetings, etc
• Supports cross-functional research programs and across high-impact external collaborators by coordinating study activities, tracking timelines, reporting out on grant renewals and facilitating communication across scientific teams.
• Partners closely with Study Directors and VP to facilitate smooth communication across all parties.
• Contributes to project coordination and study execution.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Advanced degree in a Genetics related field (MS/PhD desired) or Bachelor s degree with a minimum of 5 years  experience leading large-scale projects.
• At least 3 years of experience in a leadership role managing teams.
• Patient-facing experience preferred (gained through clinical experience, experience on foundations, patient outreach, etc)
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to present ideas clearly and concisely.
• Strong analytical abilities to devise executable plans and integrate best practices.
• Adaptability in a dynamic environment, with exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Diplomatic leadership qualities to motivate cross-functional teams and foster cooperation.
• Prior experience in project management with a proven track record of successful program execution.
• Commitment to mentoring and developing staff to foster scientific talent.

Education:

Bachelors Required,…