What are the responsibilities and job description for the Program Manager position at Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H)?
Seize the opportunity to transform health outcomes. Become an ARPA-H Program Manager. At ARPA-H, we’re tackling the biggest, hardest problems in human health, led by Program Managers (PMs) who identify root-cause bottlenecks, find the “why now” unlock that makes progress tractable, and drive teams to real-world outcomes. In the time a PM will work with us, they’ll have the opportunity to propel a health breakthrough, with people around them to help shape the problem and resources to fund the best ideas for solutions – and then get them into the hands of people that need them. If you have a bold program concept and a clear reason it can succeed now, we encourage you to apply.
The Role
ARPA-H Program Managers are the most leveraged leaders in breakthrough biotech and health R&D. Managing portfolios worth hundreds of millions of dollars, they invest in teams and technologies that compress decades of progress into years. Program Managers at ARPA-H are here to make a dent in the universe. A Program Manager’s responsibilities include:
- Identifying problems that matter. Targeting root-cause bottlenecks holding back entire fields, not just incremental improvements or single diseases.
- Finding the unlock. Pinpointing the specific insight, new capability, or recent change that makes the impossible newly tractable.
- Recruiting world-class performers. Assembling teams across institutions, disciplines, and sectors who wouldn’t otherwise work together.
- Driving to milestones. Setting aggressive timelines, terminating what isn’t working, and doubling down on what is.
- Shaping markets and institutions. Creating the conditions for solutions to be adopted, not just invented.
This is not a research position or a grants administrator role. It’s a builder role—for people who want to transform human health and healthcare.
Term: This is a term-limited federal position with an initial appointment of three years, renewable
for up to an additional three years. At ARPA-H, you’ll ignite transformative progress, launch multiple programs (most spanning 3–5 years), and build initiatives that endure beyond your tenure. This limited term is intentional—it ensures fresh perspectives and sustained momentum.
Compensation: Competitive with academia and the private sector.