POSITION TITLE: Vice President of Neuroscience within Society POSITION TYPE: Full-Time TRAVEL REQUIRED: 15-20% DIRECT REPORT: President Dana Foundation LOCATION: 10 Rockefeller Plaza, 16th Floor New York, NY 10020 POSITION SUMMARY: The Vice President of Neuroscience within Society reports to the President and CEO of the Dana Foundation and is responsible for overseeing the Neuroscience within Society strategy and programs of the Foundation. As the programmatic right hand to the President, the Vice President will collaborate closely with the President and Foundation staff members to develop and implement strategic plans; maintain a landscape view of trends and themes at the intersection of neuroscience and society; design, run, and evaluate programs; organize meetings; manage and develop a talented staff; and track resources. This position represents an exciting opportunity to partner with the President in leading the Dana Foundation into a new chapter in its history. The Dana Foundation is a private philanthropic organization dedicated to advancing understanding about the brain. It was established in 1950 in New York City by Charles A. Dana, a legislator, industrialist, and philanthropist who became its first chairman. In partnership with his wife, Eleanor Naylor Dana, they fostered development of funding programs primarily focused on cancer research, higher education, and the arts. The Foundation’s grants helped support the Sidney Farber Cancer Center, which was renamed the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in honor of the partnership. In 1992, under the leadership of Foundation Board Chair and President David Mahoney, Dana turned its focus to research and outreach on the human brain. Since its founding, the Foundation has appropriated almost $500 million for philanthropic purposes. The Dana Foundation is at an inflection point, as it refines its longstanding commitment to research and public education on the brain, to focus now on neuroscience within society. Future programs will focus on intersections between neuroscience and areas such as ethics, law, humanities, and the arts. The Foundation pursues its mission through grants, programs, and publications. These include funding grant initiatives under the Neuroscience within Society focus; sponsoring the Dana Alliances, now with almost 700 scientists and clinicians from 45 countries; and organizing Brain Awareness Week, an annual global education initiative with almost 6,000 partners in 120 countries. The Foundation also publishes explanatory stories, teaching materials, and the online publication Cerebrum, which brings the frontiers of neuroscience and its implications to the public. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Partner with the President and other Foundation staff to develop strategic goals and drive the execution of objectives and programs.
- Work closely with the President and COO/CFO on annual budgeting process, monitoring
spending and allocation to programs.
- Maintain a current understanding of the needs and specific gaps in neuroscience within society, in areas such as neuroethics, neuroscience and the law, neuroscience and the arts/humanities, and neuroscience and education.
- Support, manage, and develop direct reports, including a Dana Fellow in Neuroscience within Society and other outreach and education program staff members
- Encourage open communications and information flow among programmatic and operational staff to help ensure that programmatic needs can be identified and met in the most effective and efficient manner.
- Foster a culture and work environment that values excellence, commitment, collaboration, integrity, continuous improvement, diversity, and inclusion.
- Represent the Foundation within the neuroscience community, at scientific conferences, and with government agencies and foundations.
- Perform other duties related to the operations of the Foundation.
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- Ph.D. in neuroscience, biology, psychology, bioengineering, or related field. • Five years of post-Ph.D. academic or work experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Strong understanding and appreciation of how neuroscience reflects and informs societal issues.
- Experience working in strategic programming, management, and evaluation at an academic institution, non-profit organization, or foundation.
DESIRED SKILLS AND CHARACTERISTICS:
- Demonstrated evidence of being a hard-working and passionate supporter of neuroscience and its societal implications.
- Background or strong interest in ethics, responsible innovation in research, or Science and Technology Studies (STS).
- Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills with team player mentality. • Leverages direct reports to facilitate increased collaboration across the organization, tapping their motives and values to energize them.
- Commitment to building a strong organizational culture that represents the Foundation’s core values and code of conduct.
- Brings excitement and optimism during a time of vision and strategic change. • Demonstrated commitment to data-driven program development and self-evaluation, including measuring programmatic outcomes and the Foundation’s impact and success using qualitative and quantitative feedback.
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Excellent written, graphic, and oral communication and presentation skills. • Demonstrated creative approach to problem solving with the ability to rise to new challenges and take advantage of emerging opportunities.
- Ability to maintain diplomacy and composure under pressure.
- Ability to work as a member of teams consisting of both internal and external stakeholders.
BENEFITS OFFERED:
- Group Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance: premiums paid by the Foundation • Direct medical and gym reimbursement plans
- Short- and long-term disability, and Paid Family Leave: Short-term disability and Paid Family Leave funded by the Foundation
- Section 401(a) retirement plan: Non-contributory contribution of 15% of compensation up to the IRS statutory limit (eligible after six-months’ employment)
- Section 403(b) savings plan: Voluntary plan
- Employee Assistance Program
- Education Assistance Program
- Matching Gift Program
- Vacation and Holiday Leave: All employees are entitled to 20 vacation days, other than those hired during a calendar year who are entitled to one day vacation per each full month of work. Employees are also entitled to three personal days and 11 paid holidays.
APPLICATION PROCESS: Please submit a cover letter describing your qualifications, a brief bio (200-word limit), and your curriculum vitae to Human Resources: pmangini@dana.org