Director, Beacon of Hope Coordinating Center

JOB SUMMARY 

FHI 360’s National Institute for Work and Learning (NIWL) advances solutions in education and workforce systems. We focus on two key drivers of individual well-being – education and employment – to improve lives. We build bridges between work and learning by promoting shared goals and common understanding and expanding research-based strategies. 

The Novartis US Foundation recently selected NIWL to manage its Beacon of Hope Coordinating Center.  The Beacon of Hope initiative is a 10-year commitment launched in 2021 to address disparities in health outcomes by increasing diversity in clinical trials and strengthening infrastructure at Historically Black Medical Schools (HBMSs). As the Coordinating Center, our work will involve management of the initiative, identifying goals and workplans, provide oversight, evaluation, communications, stakeholder engagement, and clinical trials technical assistance.  

This position will build relationships between Novartis and its partners; lead the Coordinating Center and a matrixed team throughout FHI 360 and report to NIWL’s Director of Learning & Workforce Development.   

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:  

Project Direction / Quality Assurance 

• Serves as the Project Director for Novartis US Foundation's Beacon of Hope Coordinating Center, overseeing all operational functions, including management/ staffing, subawards, deliverables, timeline, budget, and compliance with FHI 360 policies and procedures.  

• Excellent and demonstrated project management skills. 

• Must have experience and strong working relationships with HBCUs 

• Sets goals and budgets for the project, establishes work plans and SOPs, and leads the team in achieving strategic goals. 

• Ensures project deliverables are successfully completed on time, with quality and within budget and maintains a strong and sustainable relationship with the funding organizations. 

• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills to plan, organize, and manage resources for successful completion of projects. 

• Ability to create and manage theories of changes and ensure data collection occurs and storytelling about the outcomes and successes 

• Ability to build positive local working relationships with the Beacon of Hope partners, local communities, higher education leaders, and donor representatives. 

• Excellent oral and written communication skills. 

• Ability to motivate, influence, negotiate, and collaborate with others. 

Technical Leadership 

• Provides technical management, oversight, and subject matter expertise. 

• Understands the language, processes, and culture of HBCUs and higher education systems to offer coaching and guidance to the university leadership and faculty. 

• Recommends solutions to management on strategy, operat