Research Outreach Manager

Are you looking to make a difference in the world?
Looking to take the next step in your scientific career with an impactful organization helping people?
Join AFTD, the leading organization dedicated to ending the most common dementia under 60, known as FTD. We help families affected today, and drive research to bring hope for the future. Our work to bring about a world without dementia is only missing your passion and your expertise. AFTD is growing rapidly, with a greater ability to offer help for those affected than ever before. Join us today to make a difference for families affected by FTD, across the United States and beyond.

JOB PURPOSE
The Research Outreach Manager supports AFTD’s research and grants portfolio by managing initiatives and infrastructure to
foster a diverse, global community of FTD focused scientific investigators.

Job Summary
Under the direction of the Director of Research and Grants, the Research Outreach Manager will manage and implement programs and activities designed to foster long-term relationships, promote engagement, and support professional development within FTD research community, with a special emphasis on AFTD-funded researchers and prospective applicants to AFTD grant programs (e.g., networking events or mentoring opportunities). They will liaise between the Research and Grants team and AFTD’s Communications team to promote funding opportunities and events. In addition, they will support program evaluation and maintain data records on funded projects. Finally, they will manage the submission, review, and post-award processes for the annual AFTD Holloway Postdoctoral Fellowship Program.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Essential Job Functions

• Manage research outreach initiatives to engage the FTD scientific community.
  • Under the direction of the Director of Research and Grants, plan, promote, and implement networking, mentorship, and/or educational opportunities at AFTD-hosted and external scientific conferences (e.g, ISFTD, AAIC, SfN) that encourage interaction, advance collaboration, and build community among researchers.
  • In collaboration with Director of Research and Grants, attend scientific conferences to expand the AFTD Research team’s network of contacts, encourage researchers to consider research on FTD disorders, raise awareness of AFTD funding opportunities, and prospect for potential grant applicants.
  • Participate in progress report calls with grant recipients and collaborate with Director of Research and Grants to fulfill recipient requests for resources and information.

• Manage the annual Holloway Postdoctoral Fellowships program
  • Prior to the beginning of a funding cycle, review and update the Holloway Postdoctoral program on AFTD’s grants management system.
  • Ensure that information about the Holloway Fellowship program is updated, accurate, and complete, including the Request for Proposals and application instructions.
  • Monitor submissions, answer applicant questions, and resolve technical issues as needed.
  • Collaborate with Director of Research and Grants to match applications with reviewers who have requisite expertise.
  • Draft award agreements and manage completion of award contracts.
  • Manage active fellowship grants through scheduled progress report calls, ensuring timely submission of progress reports, and responding to emergent questions or concerns.
  • Manage supplementary support programs for funded fellows such as travel awards or mentorship programs.

• Enable communications of scientific progress and grants
  • Coordinate with Research Administrative Assistant and AFTD Communications team to maximize awareness of AFTD grants, including outreach on social media platforms, submitting notifications of funding opportunities to peer organizations as well as funding opportunity databases, and providing content on grant programs for the AFTD website.
  • Identify external funding opportunities and coordinate with AFTD Communications team to share these opportunities with the FTD research community.
  • Draft descriptions of newly funded projects for AFTD communications with non-scientific audiences.
  • Coordinate with AFTD Communications team to ensure that publicly shared information on AFTD grants is accurate, complete, and up to date.
  • Along with other AFTD scientific staff, support the AFTD Communications team as needed to accurately communicate scientific progress to non-scientific audiences.

• Manage Research Grant data resources for program execution, tracking and evaluation.
  • With support of the Research Administrative Assistant, ensure both internal and external records of AFTD grants are complete, accurate, and up to date.
  • Run reports at regular intervals to generate up-to-date summaries of programmatic information on all AFTD- funded and partnership programs.
  • Maintain grant program calendar.
  • Support the Director in evaluating research grant programs through the collection of relevant data from external sources (e.g., PubMed, NIH RePORTER) or surveys of award recipients.

Other Job Functions

• Represent AFTD at scientific conferences.
• Conscientiously follows company policies and practices and takes care of organizational property.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Travel for conferences and meetings as needed, in compliance with current safety protocols.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• This position is an individual contributor and does not have any supervisory responsibilities.

Education

• PhD in neuroscience, or related field, or relevant clinical discipline strongly preferred.Master’s degree in relevant scientific field or clinical discipline and significant experience in grants administration will be considered.

Experience

• 2-5 years of experience in grants administration or scientific program management preferred.
• Experience in biomedical research funding agency or disease advocacy organization preferred.
• Experience in management of educational and professional development initiatives for early-career researchers a plus.

Special Knowledge/Skills

• Knowledge of research funding process, including peer review required.
• Broad familiarity with neurodegenerative disease research strongly preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills required.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including ability to communicate complex scientific concepts to a variety of audiences required.
• Able to work collaboratively and effectively with cross-functional teams as well as external stakeholders and research community required.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to effectively and efficiently manage detailed workflows required.
• Creative and resourceful approach to challenges and new situations strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with grants management software platforms and databases (e.g. Salesforce) a plus

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Interview Process

• Submit an application, including cover letter and resume
• Phone screen with a member of AFTD’s HR department
• Interview with Hiring Manager
• Team interview with department staff
• Offer made to final candidate (contingent on reference and background checks)
• Additional interviews or assessments may be required dependent on position

AFTD Awards & Accolades

• Platinum Transparency 2023 by GuideStar, an organization that collects and publishes IRS-verified data about charitable organizations, issuing Seals of Transparency based on how much information each charity provides
• 4-star rating on Charity Navigator, an organization that assesses nonprofits’ organizational effectiveness through IRS filings and metrics such as, Impact & Results, Accountability & Finance, Culture & Community, and Leadership & Adaptability

Benefits and Perks

AFTD offers a competitive salary and is committed to providing a comprehensive benefits package to meet the needs of our employees and their families, including:

• Medical, Dental and Vision insurance for eligible employees regularly working 30 hours or more per week - presently AFTD covers 100% of employee individual medical coverage
• Basic Life Insurance/AD&D
• Company-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Identity Protection
• Voluntary Term Life/AD&D
• Pet discount program
• Employee Assistance Program
• SIMPLE IRA with company match
• Generous paid vacation and sick time
• 10 paid holidays
• A company culture that encourages work/life balance
• Ongoing team building opportunities, including staff retreats and days of service
• Ongoing professional development training and opportunities
• Hybrid working environment, with the opportunity to work remotely up to 3 days per week
• Business casual dress code

AFTD is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. All ofyour information will be kept confidential according to EEO (Equal Employment Opportunity) guidelines.

AFTD participates in E-Verify. Learn more about applicant rights under Federal Employment Laws.