Salary Range: $120,000-$170,000
About the Milken Institute
A globally focused, publicly supported, non-partisan and nonprofit think tank, the Milken Institute's mission is to increase global prosperity by advancing collaborative solutions that widen access to capital, create jobs and improve health. 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 world leaders, scientists, policymakers, and industry giants at our gatherings to share their respective 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 MI Philanthropy and SPARC
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 SPARC portfolio 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 mental health scientific research philanthropy in collaboration with Milken teams and partner organizations.
About the Position
Milken Institute Philanthropy Pillar is looking for a talented mid-career professional with excellent communication, organization and research skills to lead the development of new mental health focused scientific initiatives for the Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team. 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.
Responsibilities

• Develop vision and strategy for philanthropically funded science initiatives through co-development with community members, experts, and funders that seek to solve specific problems.
• 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;
• Synthesize findings across relevant systems including scientific research, therapeutic pipeline, regulatory environment, private and public funding, and system incentives.
• 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.
• Represent the Milken Institute within the broader scientific and health communities throughout the due diligence process and at various industry-specific events;
• Contribute to communications efforts to build awareness of key funding opportunities, philanthropy resources, and overall opportunities for MI Philanthropy to engage with other key players within the philanthropic and nonprofit communities.

Qualifications

• Masters, Ph.D., or MD in a field of biomedical science or public health with an additional 10 years of professional experience;
• 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;
• High intellectual capacity that can be and has been applied to learning new areas of science, technology, and related fields;
• Familiarity with scientific grant evaluation and peer review processes
• 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.

Personal Qualities

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

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. Additionally, this position requires interacting virtually on a regular basis with Milken Institute staff based in other locations in the United States and around the world.
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 work a hybrid schedule consisting of three (3) days per week reporting in-person to your respective office location (Tuesday - Thursday), with the remaining two (2) days working remotely. Please understand, this schedule is subject to change in the Institute's sole discretion.
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 . If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact our Human Resources department to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.
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

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