Program Associate, Medical Science

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:

The Fidelity Foundations are a group of private foundations that fund a diverse set of programs on a national scale. The Fidelity Foundations are committed to advancing the long-term vibrancy of communities through capacity-building investments in arts and culture, education, conservation, health, and economic opportunity-focused non-profits.

Fidelity Foundations’ grantmaking seeks to build the capacity of leaders and organizations tackling important societal challenges and promoting thriving communities. We are dedicated to strengthening organizations by fostering robust partnerships and supporting projects that enhance our grantees’ long-term success. Each program centers on the ecosystems’ needs and identifies where our capacity-building grants can have the greatest impact. We have a deep history of funding organizations in Boston and New England for over 50 years and also supporting communities in specific regions nationwide.

Today, the Foundations are at an important and exciting stage in our organizational history, having grown and evolved in recent years. As our strategies and organization continue to develop, we are seeking individuals with skills and expertise that support the advancement and execution of a long-term portfolio of significant and strategic philanthropic investments. As a capacity-building funder, the Foundations seek to make catalytic, lasting investments in non-profits at strategic inflection points and support projects that substantially enhance their impact and sustainability. Our values of excellence, integrity, respect, collaboration, and a deep sense of humility guide our quiet grantmaking.

The Foundations’ Medical Science program is currently focused on neuroscience and neurodegenerative research. Specifically, the program seeks to identify bottlenecks, knowledge gaps, and unmet funding needs in neurodegenerative disease research. We continually monitor the research and funding landscape to identify opportunities where philanthropy can uniquely address critical barriers to research advancement. We aim to identify and pilot systems-level solutions and innovative approaches to improve the effectiveness of the scientific ecosystem. Current strategies include incentivizing global collaboration and lowering barriers to open data and sample sharing. There is potential to broaden the focus to other areas of biomedical research in the future.

About the Position

The Program Associate supports the Medical Science team by serving as a central project manager, execution partner, and operational lead. This individual works closely with the Senior Advisor and program team to drive forward a portfolio focused on Alzheimer’s disease and related neurodegenerative diseases.

This role is designed for a highly motivated self-starter who is intellectually curious about biomedical science, energized by the Foundations’ mission, and eager to learn. The Program Associate operates as a critical partner to the Senior Advisor and Program team where priorities are executed, projects are moving forward, and decisions are supported by clear data and materials, while also embracing hands-on responsibilities such as data management, quality control, and administrative execution.

The Program Associate also supports the Foundations’ broader programmatic work by coordinating data, systems, and workflows to ensure effective execution across initiatives.

Core Responsibilities

Team Operations & Project Management (40%)

• Serve as the primary project manager for board cycles and other team-wide initiatives, ensuring timeline adherence and managing quality control
• Partner closely with the Medical Science team to translate strategic priorities into actionable plans and ensure strong follow-through
• Act as a connective “hub” across teams, ensuring alignment, communication, and progress on key initiatives
• Coordinate team meetings by setting agendas, preparing briefing materials, and maintaining shared knowledge resources
• Produce clear, well-designed materials (e.g., board books, dashboards, updates)
• Anticipate risks, bottlenecks, and information needs and proactively address them
• Maintain and improve systems, tools, and processes to increase efficiency and clarity

Grant & Strategic Support (30%)

• Serve as a partner to the Medical Science team by synthesizing information, surfacing insights, and helping prioritize efforts
• Develop clear, professional materials, including presentations, memos, data analyses, and board materials, that enable decision-making by Foundations leadership
• Translate complex scientific and programmatic concepts into clear, structured, and visually compelling outputs (e.g., PowerPoint, dashboards) for program team review and refinement
• Monitor progress against goals and proactively identify risks, gaps, and opportunities for improvement
• Track, monitor, and report on active and prospective grants, ensuring timely updates
• Support the full grant development process through managing pipeline timelines, QCing materials, and preparing polished board materials
• Partner with the Grants Management team on grant reports, modifications, extensions, and compliance follow-up
• Conduct preliminary research and monitor field trends to inform landscape analyses, grantee and external partner briefings, and monthly updates
• As requested, participate in grantee calls, site visits, and events; synthesize meeting notes and extract insights for internal use

Database Management (30%)

• Manage databases supporting grant applications, portfolio tracking, and program evaluation and maintain strong data integrity
• Use grant system data to support execution, identify patterns or issues, and recommend process improvements
• Lead data quality control efforts and develop dashboards, visualizations, and Salesforce tools to support team decision-making
• Collaborate with Grants Management to drive continual improvement in grants processes and system use

Qualifications

Expertise & Experience

• 2–5 years of relevant professional experience, ideally in one or more of the following environments: Philanthropy or foundation-based grantmaking; research institutions, academic labs, or biomedical organizations; consulting, strategy, or project management roles with exposure to complex problem-solving
• Experience supporting senior leaders or operating in a project management or strategy execution role is highly valued
• Demonstrated experience managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities
• Experience working with data systems, dashboards, or analytics (e.g., Salesforce, Excel, or similar tools)

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree strongly preferred
• Preferred fields include: neuroscience, biology, biomedical science, public health, data science, or related disciplines
• Candidates with scientific training or demonstrated interest in Alzheimer’s disease, neurodegeneration, or biomedical research are strongly preferred

Skills and Attributes

• Project Management Excellence: Exceptional ability to manage multiple complex workstreams, prioritize effectively, and execute with precision
• Analytical & Technical Skills: Strong data analysis capabilities, with experience synthesizing and presenting data clearly
• Communication & Presentation: Ability to create polished, executive-ready materials (especially PowerPoint) that drive clarity and decision-making
• Systems Thinker: Skilled at building and improving processes, tools, and workflows.
• Execution Orientation: Willingness to operate across strategic and administrative work, with attention to detail and follow-through
• Deep interest in or passion for Alzheimer’s disease, neurodegeneration, and biomedical science
• Self-starter with strong initiative; able to operate independently while keeping stakeholders aligned
• Intellectual curiosity and eagerness to learn in a fast-paced, evolving field
• Collaborative and low-ego approach, with willingness to contribute wherever needed, including hands-on data and administrative tasks

This position will be based in Boston, MA on a hybrid schedule with a requirement to work in person a minimum of 3 days per week with colleagues; successful candidates will need to undergo a comprehensive background check.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

The base salary range for this position is $82,000 - $125,000 per year.

Placement in the range will vary based on a variety of factors such as job responsibilities & scope, special skills, education, special certifications, candidate’s relevant experience, and other factors.

Base salary is only part of the total compensation package. Employees are eligible for an annual discretionary performance bonus in addition to their base pay.

The Fidelity Foundations offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, an annual performance-based bonus, and a comprehensive benefits package.

The Fidelity Foundations are committed to creating an equitable and inclusive professional environment. We encourage applications from candidates with a diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.