What are the responsibilities and job description for the Program Manager (Science Engagement) position at Simons Foundation?
Position Summary
Science, Society and Culture (SSC) seeks a program manager to help develop and manage our portfolio of grantmaking. This person’s primary, but not sole, focus will be Science Sandbox, the SSC division’s flagship, incubatory grantmaking program. Developed in 2016, Science Sandbox is an initiative of SSC that identifies emerging projects at the vanguard of public engagement with science and provides catalytic funding as well as organizational and individual growth programs. Science Sandbox’s portfolio of active awardees is between approximately 40 to 50 organizations across a spectrum of disciplines.
The program manager will seek and develop proposals for funding, primarily for Science Sandbox but also for select opportunities within the broader SSC division. Working closely with the program director and senior VP for SSC, the program manager will have an active role in shaping the division’s grantmaking portfolio. This person will also help strengthen our post-award processes, including reporting, informal mid-year check-ins, select site visits, and awardee off-boarding. Working with the program director and the program specialist for SSC, the program manager will also have a role in the pre-award process, including shaping key milestones and deliverables for specific grants. This position will not involve work on any of the SSC division’s media initiatives.
The ideal candidate will have a mix of relevant academic and practitioner experience in creative science outreach and engagement.
Day-to-day priorities will include discovering, vetting, and recommending potential Science Sandbox grants. This person will also need to develop and maintain relationships with awardees, as well as with internal stakeholders at the Simons Foundation.
A demonstrated passion for, and experience in, public engagement with science is critical. The ideal candidate will have keen interpersonal communication skills, comfort with speaking on behalf of the foundation, and a keen eye for identifying organizations and individuals with great ideas that are boundary-pushing in the field of science engagement.
This is a full-time position located at the Simons Foundation’s offices in New York City. For more information, visit simonsfoundation.org/careers.
Role And Responsibilities
Education
The Simons Foundation’s Science, Society & Culture division seeks to provide opportunities for people to forge a connection with science — whether for the first time or a lifetime. We engage the public in several ways — through grantmaking, Simons Foundation researcher engagement, public events, editorially independent media, and national initiatives.
Our Commitment to Expanding Pathways to Science & Opportunities for All:
Many of the greatest ideas and discoveries come from a diverse mix of minds, backgrounds, and experiences. The Simons Foundation is committed to advancing basic science and mathematics to benefit humankind and expand our collective understanding of our world. As part of our mission, we support partners, programs, and initiatives that seek to broaden the scientific community and open pathways to science and mathematics careers.
The Simons Foundation provides equal opportunities to all applicants without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, pregnancy, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic disposition, neurodiversity, disability, veteran status, or any other protected category under federal, state, and local law.
Science, Society and Culture (SSC) seeks a program manager to help develop and manage our portfolio of grantmaking. This person’s primary, but not sole, focus will be Science Sandbox, the SSC division’s flagship, incubatory grantmaking program. Developed in 2016, Science Sandbox is an initiative of SSC that identifies emerging projects at the vanguard of public engagement with science and provides catalytic funding as well as organizational and individual growth programs. Science Sandbox’s portfolio of active awardees is between approximately 40 to 50 organizations across a spectrum of disciplines.
The program manager will seek and develop proposals for funding, primarily for Science Sandbox but also for select opportunities within the broader SSC division. Working closely with the program director and senior VP for SSC, the program manager will have an active role in shaping the division’s grantmaking portfolio. This person will also help strengthen our post-award processes, including reporting, informal mid-year check-ins, select site visits, and awardee off-boarding. Working with the program director and the program specialist for SSC, the program manager will also have a role in the pre-award process, including shaping key milestones and deliverables for specific grants. This position will not involve work on any of the SSC division’s media initiatives.
The ideal candidate will have a mix of relevant academic and practitioner experience in creative science outreach and engagement.
Day-to-day priorities will include discovering, vetting, and recommending potential Science Sandbox grants. This person will also need to develop and maintain relationships with awardees, as well as with internal stakeholders at the Simons Foundation.
A demonstrated passion for, and experience in, public engagement with science is critical. The ideal candidate will have keen interpersonal communication skills, comfort with speaking on behalf of the foundation, and a keen eye for identifying organizations and individuals with great ideas that are boundary-pushing in the field of science engagement.
This is a full-time position located at the Simons Foundation’s offices in New York City. For more information, visit simonsfoundation.org/careers.
Role And Responsibilities
- Develop, in collaboration with the senior VP and the program director of SSC, the SSC grantmaking portfolio, including Science Sandbox. This includes actively seeking and developing proposals for funding.
- Manage the post-award process for Science Sandbox and select SSC awardees, including overseeing reporting and completing mid-year progress check-ins.
- Provide strategic consultation on select SSC initiatives, including Science Sandbox, the Bridge Grant, and more.
- Provide advisement on key pre-award processes, including the development of grant milestones and deliverables.
- Act as an ambassador for SSC and the Simons Foundation at external events, including the annual SSC Summit, conferences, social events, and more.
- Conduct awardee site visits within NYC and across the country when necessary.
- Work with the program director and senior vice president on the development of new funding mechanisms on an ad hoc basis, including developing and overseeing calls for funding.
- Advise on the Science Sandbox and SSC division grant budget.
Education
- Bachelor’s degree — a focus on science or public engagement with science is required.
- At least 7 years’ combined relevant experience.
- Experience with managing grant making processes and maintaining relationships with grantees.
- Experience advising on grantmaking decisions.
- Familiarity with key research principles in the field of public engagement with science.
- Ability to prioritize and adapt to the demands of projects, while meeting deadlines across all active projects and remaining flexible, calm, and focused.
- Enthusiasm about the initiative’s mission, with a demonstrated passion for the importance of science to society and creative science outreach.
- Impeccable communication and organizational skills, with a specific focus on attention to detail, high emotional intelligence, and an ability to speak comfortably and clearly with scientists, awardees, and the public.
- Experience with project management software and ability to learn new systems/platforms quickly.
- Ability to speak publicly and articulately on behalf of a large, multifaceted organization. Act as an ambassador for the mission of SSC and the Simons Foundation, more broadly.
- Ability to build and maintain networks for sourcing new projects.
- Some travel is required, within New York and nationally.
- Must demonstrate sound judgement and empathy, with an ability to respect a variety of lived experiences.
- Include a résumé and cover letter describing your interest in the position
- The full-time annual compensation range for this position is $115,000 to $125,000 depending on experience.
- In addition to competitive salaries, the Simons Foundation provides employees with an outstanding benefits package.
The Simons Foundation’s Science, Society & Culture division seeks to provide opportunities for people to forge a connection with science — whether for the first time or a lifetime. We engage the public in several ways — through grantmaking, Simons Foundation researcher engagement, public events, editorially independent media, and national initiatives.
Our Commitment to Expanding Pathways to Science & Opportunities for All:
Many of the greatest ideas and discoveries come from a diverse mix of minds, backgrounds, and experiences. The Simons Foundation is committed to advancing basic science and mathematics to benefit humankind and expand our collective understanding of our world. As part of our mission, we support partners, programs, and initiatives that seek to broaden the scientific community and open pathways to science and mathematics careers.
The Simons Foundation provides equal opportunities to all applicants without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, pregnancy, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic disposition, neurodiversity, disability, veteran status, or any other protected category under federal, state, and local law.
Salary : $115,000 - $125,000
