Senior Project Manager, Science Program Management

The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative was founded by Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg in 2015 to help solve some of society's toughest challenges - from eradicating disease and improving education to addressing the needs of our local communities. Our mission is to build a more inclusive, just, and healthy future for everyone.

The Team

CZI supports the science and technology that will make it possible to help scientists cure, prevent, or manage all diseases by the end of this century. While this may seem like an audacious goal, in the last 100 years, biomedical science has made tremendous strides in understanding biological systems, advancing human health, and treating disease.

Achieving our mission will only be possible if scientists are able to better understand human biology. To that end, we have identified four grand challenges that will unlock the mysteries of the cell and how cells interact within systems - paving the way for new discoveries that will change medicine in the decades that follow:

• Building an AI-based virtual cell model to predict and understand cellular behavior
• Developing state-of-the-art imaging systems to observe living cells in action
• Instrumenting tissues to better understand inflammation, a key driver of many diseases
• Engineering and harnessing the immune system for early detection, prevention, and treatment of disease

CZI's work in science includes grantmaking programs, open-source software development, and close collaboration with the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Network. The CZ Biohub Network includes the San Francisco, Chicago, and New York Biohubs as well as the Chan Zuckerberg Imaging Institute. CZI also collaborates with institutional partners like the Kempner Institute for the Study of Natural & Artificial Intelligence at Harvard University. Join us in accelerating science.

The Opportunity

The Senior Project Manager will join the Science Program Management team at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), reporting to the Director of Science Program Management. This individual will play a key role in the operational success of the Data function within CZI Science-designing and managing processes, overseeing project portfolios, managing complex systems and dependencies, and enabling long-range, impactful work at the intersection of data and science. This position is well-suited to an experienced operations professional who thrives in cross-functional environments, brings deep program operations expertise, and is capable of shaping and executing operational strategy with measurable, organization-wide impact. It requires a blend of strategic execution, stakeholder management, and technical fluency in scientific, data-oriented environments.

What You'll Do

• Design and manage complex operational systems, tools, and processes across the Data portfolio (e.g., strategic planning and roadmapping, stakeholder management, resource planning)
• Drive cross-functional collaboration and strategic decision-making through clear communication and stakeholder engagement
• Develop and implement coordination frameworks to streamline communication, planning, and execution across multidisciplinary teams of our matrixed organization, ensuring alignment of goals, timelines, and deliverables
• Develop and maintain program roadmaps, identify risks and dependencies, and recommend strategic adjustments
• Support strategic planning processes, including goal-setting cycles and leadership reviews
• Design and implement systems for resource planning, progress tracking, and performance measurement
• Manage operational budgets and timelines, and provide project management across team activities
• Lead planning and execution of team-wide initiatives, strategic meetings, and shared learning activities
• Create and maintain high-quality documentation, training materials, and shared team tools
• Continuously evaluate and improve workflows to ensure operational excellence and team efficiency

What You'll Bring

• 8+ years of progressive experience in program operations, project management, or related roles in science, technology, philanthropy, or nonprofit settings; some background in or familiarity with product management and/or data organizations is a plus
• Proven ability to lead complex projects and build operational systems that support strategic goals
• Strong skills in portfolio management, capacity planning, and process improvement
• Strategic thinker with sound decision-making and risk mitigation capabilities
• Proficiency in project management methodologies and tools (e.g., Agile, Waterfall, Scrum); adaptable to different team contexts
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills, including working with executive leaders
• Strong financial planning and budget management experience
• Ability to manage ambiguity, prioritize competing needs, and lead initiatives independently
• Collaborative and proactive approach, with attention to detail and a systems-thinking mindset
• Experience working with cross-functional teams in a scientific multidisciplinary environment (e.g., with research scientists, engineers, data scientists, and/or AI researchers)

Compensation

The Redwood City, CA base pay range for this role is $138,000 - $207,000. New hires are typically hired into the lower portion of the range, enabling employee growth in the range over time. Actual placement in range is based on job-related skills and experience, as evaluated throughout the interview process.

Work Mode

As we grow, we're excited to strengthen in-person connections and cultivate a collaborative, team-oriented environment. This role is a hybrid position requiring you to be onsite for at least 60% of the working month, approximately 3 days a week, with specific in-office days determined by the team's manager. The exact schedule will be at the hiring manager's discretion and communicated during the interview process.

Benefits for the Whole You

We're thankful to have an incredible team behind our work. To honor their commitment, we offer a wide range of benefits to support the people who make all we do possible.

• CZI provides a generous employer match on employee 401(k) contributions to support planning for the future.
• Annual benefit for employees that can be used most meaningfully for them and their families, such as housing, student loan repayment, childcare, commuter costs, or other life needs.
• CZI Life of Service Gifts are awarded to employees to "live the mission" and support the causes closest to them.
• Paid time off to volunteer at an organization of your choice.
• Funding for select family-forming benefits.
• Relocation support for employees who need assistance moving to the Bay Area
• And more!

If you're interested in a role but your previous experience doesn't perfectly align with each qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply as you may be the perfect fit for this or another role.

Explore our work modes, benefits, and interview process at www.chanzuckerberg.com/careers.

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