Program Manager or Director, Cancer Vaccines

The Foundation for the National Institute of Health (FNIH) is seeking a Program Manager or Director, with final level determined based on experience and leadership capabilities, to lead a high-profile, multi-sector national initiative to accelerate the development and clinical translation of next-generation cancer vaccines. This public–private partnership is designed to deliver near-term clinical proof-of-concept in high-risk, minimal residual disease (MRD+) cancers while building a scalable, long-term ecosystem for antigen discovery, vaccine development, manufacturing, and data-driven innovation.The Program Manager or Director will oversee a coordinated portfolio spanning rapid demonstration trials, parallel development of multiple antigen classes and vaccine platforms, scalable GMP manufacturing, harmonized immune monitoring, and a centralized data architecture enabling AI-driven antigen prediction. This position will report to the Senior Vice President of Translational Science within the Science Partnerships department (or their designated report) and is based at the FNIH offices located in North Bethesda, MD.This role requires a scientifically credible, operationally strong leader who can align partners across academia, biopharma, government, philanthropy, advocacy, and persons with live experience and translate complex science into coordinated execution. The Program Manager or Director will as a centralized facilitator for overall partnership development, vaccine candidate selection, adaptive clinical trial design and implementation, research project coordination, and funding strategy.Key ResponsibilitiesScientific & Program Leadership & Portfolio ManagementLead the overall scientific and operational partnership strategy for the Cancer Vaccines Initiative and eventually other projectsFacilitate the definition and prioritization of high-impact use cases, including rapid “quick win” demonstration trials in MRD+ cancer settingsEnsure alignment of the groups working on antigen discovery, preclinical development, vaccine platforms, manufacturing, and clinical design and executionLead collaborative processes to identify and prioritize candidate antigens, vaccine constructs, and combination strategiesEstablish criteria for advancement, down-selection, and portfolio evolutionRepresent the initiative in scientific, clinical, and policy forumsContribute to publications, presentations, and strategic communicationsClinical Trial Strategy & ExecutionOversee design and execution of adaptive, efficient clinical trials focused on early signals of efficacy and immune responseEnsure rigorous trial design, site selection, and execution across multiple institutionsIntegrate biomarkers and immune monitoring into trial design and analysisDrive speed, quality, and comparability across trialsManufacturing & Immune Monitoring InfrastructureOversee development of scalable GMP manufacturing approaches across platformsEnsure harmonization of immune monitoring assays and endpoints across studiesData & AI-Enabled InnovationPartner with data science leadership to build and utilize centralized data architecture supporting the initiativeEnable integration of clinical, immunologic, and molecular data to inform antigen prediction and vaccine designSupport AI-driven approaches to optimize candidate selection and trial learningRegulatory Strategy & EngagementCollaborate with regulatory agencies to align innovative trial designs, endpoints, and biomarker strategiesEnsure programs are designed to support future regulatory pathways and potential approvalHelp to facilitate regulatory submissions and advice interactions, as neededPartnership Development & Partner EngagementLead engagement with biopharmaceutical companies, academic investigators, technology partners, philanthropists, advocacy groups, and persons with lived experienceBuild and sustain a collaborative ecosystem aligned around shared scientific and translational goals, including philanthropy and governmentPartner with Strategic Alliances and Advancement to secure and align funding to support initiative goalsArticulate the value proposition and impact of the initiative to diverse fundersProgram Governance & ExecutionEstablish and lead governance structures, including executive and steering committees and scientific advisory groupsOversee timelines, milestones, budgets, and deliverables across all program componentsEnsure transparency, accountability, and effective decision-making across all partners and any relevant external organizationsRequiredMD, PhD, or equivalent in oncology, immunology, or related biomedical fieldProgram Manager candidates should have approximately 7+ years of relevant experience in oncology drug development, cancer immunotherapy, or vaccine development, while Director level candidates should have 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in these areas.Strong understanding of translational science across discovery, preclinical, and clinical domains, including clinical trial design and execution, including multi-site studiesProven ability to lead complex, multi-institutional or public–private partnershipsPreferredExperience interacting with regulatory agencies (e.g., FDA, EMA)Experience with cancer vaccines, immuno-oncology, or antigen discovery platformsFamiliarity with GMP manufacturing and immune monitoring technologiesExperience with adaptive trial designs and biomarker-driven developmentTrack record of high-impact team leadershipThis is a hybrid position and requires regular visits to FNIH headquarters in Bethesda, MD. This position may also require occasional travel for meetings, conferences and any other relevant engagements.At FNIH we are committed to living our core values every day. If you are excited about this role and the work of the Foundation, but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with all the qualifications in the job description, we encourage you to apply nonetheless. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles at FNIH. #J-18808-Ljbffr