Program Director, Crohns Disease

Organization

The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust (“Helmsley”) is a global philanthropy driven by a vision of building better futures for people by increasing access to healthcare, advancing new research and ideas, and improving the quality of everyday life. Helmsley strives to make a meaningful impact in its focus areas, matching its significant financial assets with a rigorous and resultsoriented approach. Helmsley is committed to close and productive partnerships with its grantees, as well as with other funders and impact players in government, academia, and the private sector who share its interests and goals. Above all, Helmsley endeavors to be forwardthinking in every aspect of its work and will take risks that others cannot or will not take when the riskreward tradeoff warrants.

Since 2008, when Helmsley began its active grantmaking, it has committed more than $4.5 billion. For more information on Helmsley, please visit https:helmsleytrust.org.

Program Description

Helmsley’s Crohn’s Disease Program, which made its first grant in 2009, is committed to finding cures, and until then to improving quality of life and care, for Crohn’s patients and finding better treatments for Crohn’s disease. To date, the program, which has rapidly become the largest private foundation funder in Crohn’s disease, has awarded grants in excess of $650 million to nonprofit organizations in support of the work of scientists and clinicians across the globe. Our strategy is focused on prevention, diagnostics, therapeutics, disease management, and disease biology.

Position Summary

Helmsley seeks a fulltime, experienced professional with medical research or healthcare expertise to lead a dynamic program and team presently composed of 12 individuals 10 PhD scientists plus an administrative staff of 2 – who are committed to helping patients by focusing on Crohn’s disease biology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Helmsley’s Crohn’s disease program is the largest private foundation Crohn’s disease program in the world with an annual grants budget of over $60 million. The Program Director will oversee the sourcing and management of all Crohn’s disease grants.

The Crohn’s Disease Program Director will lead the Crohn’s team and will work closely with Helmsley staff and the Trustee responsible for the program to execute our Crohn’s program strategies, including grant and nongrant activities. Helmsley’s prominent position in the Crohn’s disease space creates the opportunity for the Program Director to identify for funding those initiatives that can lead to a cure, and until then significantly improve the lives of individuals afflicted by Crohn’s disease both in the US and around the world.

The Program Director reports to the CEO and to the Trustee responsible for the program. Travel is required.

The candidate must have strong scientific knowledge and a background in Crohn’s disease or a relevant field. Shehe will possess exceptional communication skills and have experience convening multiple stakeholders as well as facilitating collaborative projects among a variety of partners, possibly including funders, public charities, government agencies, andor academicscientificindustry partners. The candidate must be sufficiently experienced to lead and manage a team and work collaboratively with colleagues and partners.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities of the Crohn’s Disease Program Director include providing scientific, intellectual, and organizational leadership in:

• Program Strategy and Execution
  • Execute a dynamic, multiyear strategic plan, including assessment of critical gapsneeds, potential key partners, alternative available resources, and any other relevant issues.
  • Lead and work closely with Crohn’s team to design and implement grant and nongrant initiatives aligned with the Crohn’s strategic plan.
  • Work collaboratively with Crohn’s team and Helmsley staff (including Grants Management, Communications, Legal and Finance teams) to develop, manage and execute grants and related activity aimed at achieving practical results to achieve the program’s mission.
  • Supervise Program Officers and assist in developing and assessing prospective projects, including providing expertise to review prospective grants; working collaboratively with applicants to refine plans and project budgets in preparation for potential funding; conducting site visits; attending conferences; completing grant reviews; and preparing written and oral summaries of grants for Trustee review and approval.
  • • • Team Leadership and Management
        • Lead a team with science backgrounds, focused on the development, execution, maintenance and evaluation of grants as well as supporting nongrant activities.
        • Develop individual focus areaswork plans, development and annual performance assessments.
        • Manage current year and projected grant portfolio and related grant budgets (over $60 million per year) as well as annual operating budget (approx. $4 million).
        • • • Thought Leadership and Community Building
              • Represent Helmsley and our Crohn’s Disease Program at a variety of external events and activities, including granteepartner meetings, convenings, and presentations.
              • Lead and work closely with the Crohn’s team to design and implement nongrant initiatives supporting the Crohn’s strategic plan, where appropriate (e.g., convenings, white papers and other communications).
              • Exhibit strong thought leadership and support of the broader Crohn’s disease community.
              • • • Collaboration and Partnership
                    • Work collaboratively with colleagues across Helmsley, both in connection with the work of the Crohn’s team, as well as with the development and support of trustwide initiatives to advance the overall impact of Helmsley’s work.
                    • Be a senior role model for Helmsley’s staff and external partners.

                    • • Desired Qualifications

                        • Completion of a PhD or MD and at least eight years of substantial experience in medical or healthcare sector or its equivalent.
                        • Teamoriented leader with highly developed interpersonal skills with commitment to developing team members and partnering with grantees.
                        • Experience with project management and budgeting or the ability to learn them.
                        • Experience handling multiple priorities effectively, organizing time efficiently, and functioning well in a fastpaced environment.
                        • Demonstrated ability to transform vision and ideas into concrete, sustainable, and productive projects.
                        • Strong written and oral communication skills with the ability to translate concepts appropriately to diverse stakeholders.
                        • Attention to detail.
                        • Commitment to Crohn’s Disease Program mission.
                        • Ability to work closely with colleagues and Trustees in a collaborative environment, which requires flexibility, efficiency and diplomacy, both individually and as part of a team.

                        • Salary, Health, Wellbeing, and Living Our Mission

                          Helmsley is dedicated to creating stronger, healthier futures for communities in the U.S. and around the world. Helmsley colleagues are intelligent, creative, forward thinking, and strongly committed to working productively with each other and with our grantee partners. Each was drawn to Helmsley by the same opportunity: to help build this young organization into a leading global charitable institution that will drive meaningful and measurable positive change in lives throughout the U.S. and around the world for years to come.

                          Helmsley is committed to offering competitive and equitable compensation commensurate with experience. The targeted starting salary range for this position is $299,000 $330,000.

                          Comprehensive benefits currently offered to employees (subject to change) include:

                          • Employerpaid medical, dental, and vision for employees and their families
                          • Generous 401(k) employer contribution
                          • Hybrid work schedule (up to two remote days a week)
                          • 23+ paid vacation and sick days
                          • 13+ paid holidays
                          • End of year office closure
                          • Summer Fridays
                          • Tuition reimbursement
                          • Personal and team professional development opportunities

                          • Application Information

                            To apply for this position, please submit a cover letter and resume (in Word or PDF format) to the posting listed on the Helmsley Career Page. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application process, please contact HR@helmsleytrust.org.

                            The position is based at Helmsley’s main office in New York City. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

                            All persons hired must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for employmentbased visa sponsorship now or in the future. Helmsley will not sponsor applicants for U.S. work visa status for this opportunity (no sponsorship is available for H1B, L1, TN, O1, E3, H1B1, F1, J1, OPT, CPT or any other employmentbased visa).

                            Except when working remotely as permitted by Helmsley’s temporary hybrid work policy, the ability to work and collaborate in person with colleagues at Helmsley’s office is an essential function of this job.

                            The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the incumbent(s) of this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and activities required for the position. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

                            Helmsley provides equal employment and promotional opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established under law.