Location:

22 St. Clair Avenue East, Toronto, Ontario, M4T 2S7

About Us

The Weston Family Foundation  is a family-led charitable foundation that focuses on creative solutions in the areas of healthy aging and healthy ecosystems with the objective of delivering measurable impacts to the well-being of Canadians. Since its inception more than 60 years ago, the Foundation has provided $520 million in charitable grants and today is one of Canada’s largest private charitable foundations.

Job Description:

Program Manager, Neuroscience

About the Foundation

At the Weston Family Foundation (formerly The W. Garfield Weston Foundation), more than 60 years of philanthropy have taught us that there’s a relationship between healthy landscapes and healthy people. That’s why we champion world-class health research and innovation with the same passion that we support initiatives to protect and restore biodiversity on our unique landscapes. We take a collaborative approach to philanthropy, working alongside forward-thinking partners to advance Canada and create lasting impacts. We aspire to do more than provide funding, as we enable others to find transformational ways to improve the well-being of Canadians.

We are invested in the well-being of all Canadians. Our national identity encompasses a wide range of perspectives, ideas, and experiences. We aspire to develop and celebrate these differences in our working strategies and overall philosophy. We strive to take a mindful, deliberate approach, and to adopt policies and practices that advance and value diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within the Foundation, our operations, and our extended community. This approach is always evolving, it includes dedicating time and resources towards equitable hiring and communications, and cultivating a safe, welcoming, and accessible work environment. Our firm belief is that by taking this outlook, we will increase the beneficial impact of our philanthropy.

The Role

The Program Manager, Neuroscience is responsible for supporting and executing the strategic initiatives set forth by the Foundation’s Neuroscience Committee. This Committee, composed of a subset of Board Directors, is dedicated to advancing the Foundation’s mission of improving the health and well-being of Canadians by funding organizations that catalyze and scale science-based approaches.

Reporting directly to the Program Director, Neuroscience, the Program Manager collaborates closely with the Program Director and other members of the Neuroscience Committee.  Leveraging his/her/their expertise in health research and implementation, the Program Manager manages the Committee’s portfolio of funded grants, identifies new opportunities and recommends innovative ideas to advance the Committee’s strategic priorities and vision.  It is also expected that the Program Manager will adhere to best practices and approaches set forth by the Foundation’s leadership team to ensure the Neuroscience Committee maintains a robust internal and external presence. 

The Program Manager preferably holds an advanced degree and expertise in a relevant field, such as neuroscience, therapeutic and biomarker development, brain health, non-clinical, and/or clinical research. Additionally, they will bring substantial experience in project and grant management to the role.

Salary range: $73,000 - $100,000 per year, plus 11.25% STIP

Key Responsibilities

Program Development and Delivery

• Contribute to the research and strategic planning necessary for the creation and implementation of innovative granting programs.
• Support formal calls for proposals, ensuring that timelines and guidelines are well-defined and followed.
• Organize and support the evaluation of submitted proposals. This includes collaborating with external subject matter experts to reach informed funding decisions.

Grants Management

• Manage a portfolio of grants by reviewing reports to ensure appropriate financial management, timely achievement of deliverables within budget, and monitoring and measuring impact.
• Enhance the operational effectiveness and efficiency of the granting process, including identifying and implementing process improvements.

Relationship Management

• Collaborate closely with the Program Director to develop comprehensive agendas and substantive content for Committee, Pillar, Board, and Foundation meetings.
• Manage and build relationships with a diverse range of internal and external interested parties, including Foundation colleagues, contractors, advisors, prospective and current grantees, as well as government or community representatives.
• Organize and facilitate multi-sectoral groups to foster constructive dialogue, including the planning, coordination, and execution of various convening activities such as workshops, forums, speaker events, and webinars.
• Attend relevant events, conferences etc. to enhance knowledge or represent the Committee and Foundation as needed.

Communications

• Support the Program Director, Neuroscience, and the Director of Communications to generate materials for external communications including:
  • Foundation website
  • Press releases
  • Social media
  • Third-party communications projects

Qualifications

• An advanced degree in a neuroscience-related field including, brain health, therapeutic development, lifestyle interventions, non-clinical and clinical research.
• A minimum of 2 years of practical experience in neuroscience-related research, with a proven background in developing or managing health innovations.
• Knowledge of the neuroscience field, including the current research landscape, industry trends, and opportunities in patient care for neurodegenerative diseases of aging.
• Demonstrated entrepreneurial acumen, capable of bringing new ideas from concept to implementation.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to convey complex ideas clearly and concisely. The candidate should be able to collaborate effectively with team members and stakeholders.
• Strong background in project management, budgeting, and financial tracking.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, analyze, and resolve complex issues efficiently and effectively. The candidate should be able to break down complex problems into manageable components and develop actionable plans.
• Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and plan, organize and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision. The candidate should be flexible and open to new ideas and approaches.
• Proven track record of making well-informed decisions based on a thorough analysis of available information. The candidate should exhibit strong decision-making capabilities, even under pressure, and maintain a high level of integrity and professionalism.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; experience with other database management systems relating to grant management, (i.e. SmartSimple), is an asset.

Weston Family Foundation is an equal opportunity employer committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace. We know our success depends on the perspectives and contributions of all our employees and that diverse backgrounds and experiences makes us stronger.

 If you are contacted for a job opportunity and require accommodation, please email people.culture@wittington.ca, so we can ensure you have an accessible candidate experience throughout the recruitment process. All requests are confidential and used only to meet candidate needs.

We thank all applicants for showing an interest in this position. Only those selected for an inter

Contract Type:

Number of Openings:

1

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