Program Associate Jobs in Maine

INTRODUCTION

The Associate Program Manager supports the development and execution of complex, cross-functional preclinical programs, working closely with internal stakeholders, senior leadership, and external partners. This role blends clinical scientific expertise (gained through clinical experience or foundational work) with program coordination and serves as a key partner to the Study Director and VP of the RDTC.

This role contributes to the planning, coordination, and delivery of key initiatives, including supporting grant-funded activities and associated reporting requirements. APMs are expected to interact with patient advocacy groups, rare disease families, researchers, and biotechs. Operating with limited supervision, the Associate Program Manager helps define program requirements, identifies dependencies across teams and resources, and coordinates input to ensure alignment and successful execution. The role maintains visibility into program and initiative activities, including grant-related work, tracks timelines and deliverables, and helps ensure progress across cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities include developing and distributing program communications, responding to stakeholder inquiries, monitoring program progress and performance, and providing regular updates and reports to leadership or program sponsors. The position also coordinates internal and external communications with collaborators, including managing grant timelines, deliverables, and reporting deadlines, and ensures alignment among all stakeholders. The Associate Program Manager plays a key role in supporting high-quality program execution and compliance with grant requirements, while demonstrating increasing independence, accountability, and ownership over time.

ABOUT THE RDTC

The Rare Disease Translational Center supports the mission of The Jackson Laboratory: to discover precise genomic solutions for disease and empower the global biomedical community to improve human health. The RDTC partners with foundations and teams of basic and clinical researchers to generate custom mouse models with clinically relevant mutations and advance therapeutic development for rare diseases.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Interact with patient advocacy groups, rare disease families, academic researchers, and biotech companies and advise on scientific need and therapeutic strategies
• Prioritize and set goals for accomplishing the center’s objectives. Oversees project coordination, execution, and completion.
• Provides advanced administrative support for data collection and reporting in conjunction with NIH requirements and program-specific goals
• Works closely with the Office of Sponsored Programs to ensure timely, accurate, and complete responses to NIH reporting requirements and requests for information; providing logistical support for special events, meetings, etc.
• Supports cross-functional research programs and high-impact external collaborators by coordinating study activities, tracking timelines, reporting out on grant renewals, and facilitating communication across scientific teams.
• Partners closely with Study Directors and VP to facilitate smooth communication across all parties.
• Contributes to project coordination and study execution.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Advanced degree in a Genetics related field (MS/PhD desired) or Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 5 years' experience leading large-scale projects.
• At least 3 years of experience in a leadership role managing teams.
• Patient-facing experience preferred (gained through clinical experience, experience on foundations, patient outreach, etc.)
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to present ideas clearly and concisely.
• Strong analytical abilities to devise executable plans and integrate best practices.
• Adaptability in a dynamic environment, with exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Diplomatic leadership qualities to motivate cross-functional teams and foster cooperation.
• Prior experience in project management with a proven track record of successful program execution.
• Commitment to mentoring and developing staff to foster scientific talent.

Education

Masters/PhD or combination of education and experience

Experience

5 years preferred/6 years required

SUPERVISORY

5 years preferred/6 years required

PAY RANGE

$85,987 - $143,962 pay depending on experience

ABOUT JAX:

The Jackson Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution with a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center and nearly 3,000 employees in locations across the United States (Maine, Connecticut, California), Japan, and China. Its mission is to discover precise genomic solutions for disease and empower the global biomedical community in the shared quest to improve human health.

Founded in 1929, JAX applies over nine decades of expertise in genetics to increase understanding of human disease, advancing treatments and cures for cancer, neurological and immune disorders, diabetes, aging, and heart disease. It models and interprets genomic complexity, integrates basic research with clinical application, educates current and future scientists, and provides critical data, tools, and services to the global biomedical community.

EEO STATEMENT:

The Jackson Laboratory provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, national origin, veteran status, and other classifications protected by applicable state and local non-discrimination laws.