Special Projects Manager, Scientific Operations

Overview

Since our founding in 1924, we've cut cardiovascular disease deaths in half, but there is still so much more to do. To overcome today’s biggest health challenges and accelerate this progress, we need passionate individuals like you. Join our movement, be part of the progress, and help ensure a healthier future for all. You matter, and so does the impact you can make with us.

The American Heart Association has an excellent opportunity for a Special Projects Manager , Scientific Operations , working with The Periodic Table of Food Initiative (PTFI)® . This position can be home-based.

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible, grant-funded opportunity. Funding will expire one year from start date.

Sustainable Food Systems @ Heart is an innovation portfolio of the American Heart Association focused on transforming food systems into measurable drivers of human and planetary health. Within Sustainable Food Systems @ Heart, The Periodic Table of Food Initiative (PTFI) ® serves to build the scientific infrastructure, translational tools, and capacity needed to move food to a health solution.

Specifically, PTFI is a science-to-action initiative co-managed by the American Heart Association that is offering standardized multi-omics tools, data, and training to characterize food quality of the world’s edible biodiversity. Our global ecosystem is mapping food quality based on different components, including macronutrients, micronutrients, and specialized metabolites, as well as their variation across food systems. PTFI’s vision is a world where stakeholders in food, agriculture and health are enabled to lead data-driven solutions that provide healthy food from sustainable food systems.

The Association offers many resources to help you maintain work-life harmonization through your changing needs and life situations. To help you be successful, you will have access to Heart U, our award-winning corporate university, as well as additional training and support, locally.

#TheAHALife is more than a company culture; it is our way of life. It embodies our commitment to work-life harmonization and is guided by our core values where our employees can thrive both personally and professionally. Discover why you will Be Seen. Be Heard. Be Valued at the American Heart Association by following us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X, and at heart.jobs.

Responsibilities

The Special Projects Manager , Scientific Operations serves as a core operational role within The Periodic Table of Food Initiative (PTFI)®, supporting the coordination and scaling of the PTFI Global Lab Ecosystem. Working closely with the Senior Program Manager of PTFI’s Global Lab Ecosystem, they will support the growing global network of laboratories contributing to PTFI through engagement, logistics, contracting, and coordinating. This position requires strong organizational and communication skills as well as scientific fluency and knowledge of interdisciplinary and multi-institutional science programs. Further, this position calls for the ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear operational processes.

The ideal candidate brings experience in multi-institutional research environments and familiarity with multi-omics, food composition analysis, food systems research, and/or data science. They are systems-oriented and detail-driven. The ideal candidate has the ability to support a distributed global network working towards measurable improvements in human and planetary health.

• Contracts and Agreements: Support Senior Program Manager, Global Lab Ecosystem with contract execution and management as well as other agreements for PTFI with collaborating labs, vendors, and service providers. This includes monitoring approval status, routing for signatures and monitoring timelines.

• Monitoring: Maintains excellent time management and communication skills with both internal and external partners to meet project deliverables and deadlines.

• Shipping and Logistics: Support shipping and logistics of onboarding new PTFI labs including generating shipping labels, coordinating with companies and labs and monitoring progress.

• Administrative, Coordination and Event Support: Performs various administrative tasks, including maintaining project documentation. Support project teams on meetings and logistics such as coordinating virtual and in-person meetings and education, which may include booking of venue, meeting and travel logistics, meal planning, meeting minutes documentation and follow-up.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, nutrition, public health, biological or chemical sciences, agricultural sciences, data science, or related field required. Master’s degree in a relevant scientific or public health field preferred.

• 2 years of administrative support experience and participation in interdisciplinary and multi-institutional projects. Global experience preferred.

• Strong organizational and written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to translate technical concepts for multiple audiences.

• Experience in contracting.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a cross-functional teams in a global environment.

• Strong problem-solving skills.

• Excellent process management and organizational skills.

• Proficiency in computer programs, including Microsoft Office, Google Drive (including Google Docs), database management, and the ability to learn new software applications as appropriate.

• Ability to be dynamic, detail-oriented, multi-task, and re-prioritize in a fast-paced environment.

• Knowledge of food composition analysis, food systems research, and data science preferred.

• Ability to travel 10% of the time per year

Compensation & Benefits

The expected pay range will be $60,000 to $67,000. Pay is commensurate with experience; geographic differentials to the pay range may apply. The American Heart Association reserves the right to pay more or less than the posted range. The American Heart Association invests in its people. Here are the main components of our total rewards package. Visit Rewards & Benefits to see more details.

• Compensation – Our goal is to ensure you have a competitive base salary. That’s why we regularly review the market value of jobs and make adjustments, as needed.

• Performance and Recognition – You are rewarded for achieving success through annual salary planning and incentive programs; eligibility for an incentive program is based on the type of position.

• Benefits – We offer a wide array of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, along with a robust retirement program that includes an employer match and automatic contribution. As a mark of our commitment to employee well-being, we also offer an employee assistance program, employee wellness program and telemedicine, and medical consultation.

• Professional Development – You can join one of our many Employee Resource Groups (ERG) or be a mentor/mentee in our professional mentoring program. Heart U is the Association’s national online university, with more than 100,000 resources designed to meet your needs and busy schedule.

• Work-Life Harmonization – The Association offers Paid Time Off (PTO) at a minimum of 16 days per year for new employees. The number of days will increase based on seniority level. You will also have a total of 12 paid holidays off each year, which includes several days off at the end of the year.

• Tuition Assistance - We support the career development of all employees. This program provides financial assistance to employees who wish to further their education and career in relation to their current duties and responsibilities, or for potential future positions in the organization.

The American Heart Association’s 2028 Goal: Building on over 100 years of trusted leadership in cardiovascular and brain health, by 2028 the Association will drive breakthroughs and implement proven solutions in science, policy, and care for healthier people and communities. The greatest discoveries in health must reach everyone where they are.

At American Heart Association | American Stroke Association, our mission is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, religion, age, language, sexual orientation, national origin and physical or cognitive abilities.

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In accordance with local and state laws where applicable, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment.

EOE/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities

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Default: Location : Location US-TX-Dallas

Posted Date 2 months ago (4/29/2026 4:39 PM)

Requisition ID 2026-17540

Job Category Health Strategies

Position Type Full Time