Director, Science And Health Philanthropy

Salary Range: $120,000 – $170,000
About The Milken Institute
The Milken Institute is a globally minded, publicly supported, non-partisan, and nonprofit think tank headquartered in Santa Monica, with offices in Washington, DC, New York, London, Abu Dhabi, and Singapore. For the past three decades, the Milken Institute has served as a catalyst for practical, scalable solutions to global challenges by connecting human, financial, and educational resources to those who need them. Guided by a conviction that the best ideas, under-resourced, cannot succeed, we conduct research and analysis and convene top experts, innovators, and influencers from different backgrounds and competing viewpoints. We leverage this expertise and insight to construct programs and policy initiatives. These activities are designed to help people build meaningful lives, in which they can experience health and well-being, pursue effective education and gainful employment, and access the resources required to create ever-expanding opportunities for themselves and their broader communities.
About Milken Institute Philanthropy
Milken Institute Philanthropy Science and Health team is looking for a talented mid-career professional with excellent communication, organization and research skills to join our team to lead the development of new scientific initiatives. Through comprehensive due diligence and deep engagement with experts, MI Philanthropy helps philanthropists, family offices, wealth advisors, and foundations take a more entrepreneurial, data-driven approach to giving.
MI Philanthropy advises individuals, corporations, and foundations on the most strategic ways to ensure their philanthropic investments make an equitable, transformative impact, and offers tools and recommendations for making philanthropy more effective. In addition to in-depth research, we design and build programs including, funding initiatives, research collaboratives, large-scale innovation programs, and high-level events.
Within MI Philanthropy our Science and Health Program facilitates investment in a number of areas that range from oncology, neurodegeneration, mental health disorders, rare disease, and others. We are looking for a director who will move core initiatives forward in medical research philanthropy in collaboration with Milken teams and partner organizations.
Responsibilities

• Foster scientific community building via convening development, scientific advisory board management, and other community initiatives. Develop executive-level literature to communicate findings for philanthropists, researchers, advisors, etc.
• Contribute to communications efforts to build awareness of key funding opportunities, philanthropy resources, and overall opportunities or CSP to engage with other key players within the philanthropic and nonprofit communities.
• Develop vision and strategy for philanthropically funded science initiatives through co-development with community members, experts, and funders that seek to solve specific problems.
• Represent the Milken Institute within the broader scientific and health communities throughout the due diligence process and at various industry-specific events;
• Synthesize findings across relevant systems including scientific research, therapeutic pipeline, regulatory environment, private and public funding, and system incentives.
• Lead due diligence efforts across team for various health related projects in our portfolio which include but are not limited to oncology, neurodegeneration, mental health disorders, rare disease, and others;

Qualifications

• Experience managing a team of scientists and integrating team outputs with other key resources such as communications or events.
• Engaging and compelling writer with experience communicating scientific concepts for both technical and lay audiences;
• Personal attitude that includes being outgoing, entrepreneurial, action-oriented, flexible, with a willingness to adapt to changing situations and have a good sense of humor; and
• Superior project management skills, including the ability to proactively problem-solve and identify solutions in a fast-paced environment, and manage multiple demands and deadlines.
• Familiarity with scientific grant evaluation and peer review processes
• High intellectual capacity that can be and has been applied to learning new areas of science, technology, and related fields;
• Masters, Ph.D., or MD in a field of biomedical science or public health with an additional 10+ years of professional experience;

Personal Qualities

• Personal attitude that includes being entrepreneurial, collaborative, empathetic, action-oriented, flexible, positive, problem-solving, and willing to adapt to changing situations.
• Shares MI Philanthropy’s values of community, learning, equity, rigor, and transformation.
• Ability to stay cool under pressure, and give and receive feedback constructively.
• Detail-oriented self-starter, with the ability to drive forward projects and troubleshoot issues.
• Professional gravitas and ability to quickly gain respect, build trust, and establish strong working relationships with philanthropic funders.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate across MI Philanthropy and other MI teams.
• Ability to inspire enthusiasm about the mission of MI Philanthropy and is passionate about the potential for philanthropy to create the world we want and need.

Working Conditions & Travel Requirements
This position will work in a professional office environment. This person will also be required to travel occasionally to other offices and/or venues to assist with events as needed, requiring occasional work outside of traditional hours. International along with domestic travel is possible.
Note
We are interested in qualified candidates who are eligible to work in the United States. Please note, we are not sponsoring visas at this time, being authorized to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment.
This position will be working a hybrid model, where you will be expected to report to your respective office location 3-days per week (Tuesday - Thursday) , this is subject to change.
The statements herein are intended to describe the overall nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.
Please submit resume and cover letter illustrating how your experience and skills will contribute to the department and any unique qualities you bring to the position. If applying via Indeed, please upload your resume and any supporting documentation as one attachment. Any application that does not include both a resume and cover letter will be rejected.
Our Culture
The Milken Institute is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran.
Every person at the Milken Institute is treated with respect, supported with resources and training, and exposed to a broad range of experiences. We foster a space for growth with opportunities to share knowledge and passion with both clients and colleagues. We are committed to building a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. Our leadership is actively involved in our commitment to diversity and inclusion, and fostering a culture that creates opportunities for everyone.
Benefits

• Flexible Spending Account (FSAs)
• Mentor Program
• Gym (Santa Monica)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Wellness Resources:
• Training & Development:
• Employee Assistance Program
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Family Leave (Maternity & Paternity)
• LinkedIn Learning –over 10,000 classes offered, self-guided.
• CALM app membership
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan - 403b (5%)

Additional Perks

• Prime office locations – Santa Monica office is 4-blocks from the Pacific Ocean, Washington, DC office is across the street from the White House, New York office is on Madison Ave near Central Park, and Miami office is a 5-minute walk from Miami Beach.
• Coffee Chats with the CEO – informal opportunity to chat with the CEO.
• All Staff Meetings – employees from all domestic and international locations come together for a 2-day retreat (occurs every 18 months).