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 results-oriented 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 forward-thinking in every aspect of its work and will take risks that others cannot or will not take when the risk/reward trade-off warrants.

Since 2008, when Helmsley began its active grantmaking, it has committed more than $4 billion. For more information on Helmsley, please visit www.helmsleytrust.org.

Program Description

The Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) Program began grantmaking in 2009 and is committed to improving the lives of all people with T1D by identifying interventions to prevent and delay the disease, and through investing in novel approaches to improving outcomes. We partner with key players across the T1D ecosystem – people with T1D, health care providers, researchers, caregivers, other funders, government agencies, pharmaceutical companies, device makers, insurers, and grassroots and community organizations – to accelerate the development of devices, therapies, and services that ease the burden of living with T1D globally. To date, the program, which has rapidly become the largest private foundation funder in T1D, has made over 700 grants totaling more than $900 million. We are now increasing our efforts to ensure that proven treatments, management techniques, and therapies are available to all who need them wherever they live in the world.

Position Summary

The Helmsley Charitable Trust seeks an Associate Program Officer who will work closely with the T1D Program Officer within an evolving grant portfolio that aims to develop better drugs and devices to improve health outcomes and reduce the burden for people living with T1D. One of the key focus areas will be expanding the grant portfolio around developing novel insulin and glucagon therapies to enable better glucose management for people living with T1D.

The ideal candidates will be intellectually curious, action oriented, and skilled collaborators, who can also work independently. They will think and react strategically and with flexibility in response to continually evolving organizational priorities and opportunities. The APO is also encouraged to follow their curiosity and interest areas within their respective grant portfolio in addition to general programmatic responsibilities.

The APO will be responsible for substantive programmatic support including, but not limited to: review and response to proposals, conducting due diligence for potential grants or strategic areas, writing grant recommendations, monitoring progress of existing grants, tracking project reports and budgets, helping to plan and execute meetings, maintaining positive and proactive communication with grantees, and supporting strategic planning efforts. Some domestic travel is expected for meetings with potential and current grantees, as well as to relevant conferences.

You are right for this role if you are passionate about improving the lives of people living with a complex chronic disease like type 1 diabetes. This role will involve collaboration as part of a larger Helmsley T1D team which aims to improve the lives of people living with T1D in the U.S. through the following strategic areas:

• Develop Better Drugs and Devices
• Bring Diabetes Care Beyond the Clinic
• Improve Health Care Systems
• Address Health Disparities

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist with the grantmaking process, which includes sourcing potential projects, working with applicants to prepare proposals and budgets, and preparing analyses of proposed and ongoing projects for review by Program Officer(s), Program Director, and the Board of Trustees.
• Collaborate with grantees and internal departments to track grant progress, ensure timely reporting and payments, and serve as a point of contact internally and externally for grant-related issues.
• Engage with key stakeholders in the field about prospective projects and initiatives.
• Research and report on new developments, trends, and perspectives of strategic interest.
• Organize, attend, and report on internal and/or grantee meetings, as well as attend relevant conferences.
• Administrative responsibilities related to the above and to other areas as needed.

Desired Qualifications

• Ideal candidates would have completed a PhD, MD, or postdoctoral training in a biological, medical, bioengineering, or related field within the last few years.
• Experience in T1D research, preclinical or clinical research, drug development, and/or grantmaking preferred but not required.
• Strong strategic thinking, writing, research, and analytical skills; adept at synthesizing information.
• Understanding of and interest in conducting literature reviews, digesting diabetes related publications, and interest in connecting research with clinical care, and improvement of quality of life of people with T1D.
• Able to exercise independent judgment and initiative in prioritizing, multi-tasking and delivering high-quality work; proactively seeks clarity and proposes solutions where possible.
• Exceptional written and oral communications skills; demonstrated ability to make an informed opinion and articulate it at all levels inside and outside the foundation.
• Experience and desire to work in a team-oriented environment.
• Adept at exercising discretion and tact in complex, confidential situations.
• Excellent computer skills and proficiency with MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook.

Salary, Health, Well-being, and Living Our Mission

Helmsley is dedicated to creating stronger, healthier futures for communities in the U.S. and around the world. Our staff are subject matter experts from a range of backgrounds in basic science, global health, and precision medicine, as well as the private sector and public policy.

Helmsley colleagues are intelligent, creative, forward thinking, and strongly committed to working productively 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 $92,000-$100,000.

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

• Employer-paid 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), via the link https://helmsleytrust.org/about/#careers-section. 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.

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.