Managing Director, SPARC
Job Description
About the Milken Institute
The Milken Institute is a globally minded, publicly supported, non-partisan, and nonprofit think tank headquartered in Santa Monica, with offices in Washington, DC, New York, London, Abu Dhabi, and Singapore. For the past three decades, the Milken Institute has served as a catalyst for practical, scalable solutions to global challenges by connecting human, financial, and educational resources to those who need them. Guided by a conviction that the best ideas, under-resourced, cannot succeed, we conduct research and analysis and convene top experts, innovators, and influencers from different backgrounds and competing viewpoints. We leverage this expertise and insight to construct programs and policy initiatives. These activities are designed to help people build meaningful lives, in which they can experience health and well-being, pursue effective education and gainful employment, and access the resources required to create ever-expanding opportunities for themselves and their broader communities.
The Milken Institute’s events and programmatic activities, involve the exchange of ideas with leaders from around the world. The Institute hosts more than 200 events each year, with our annual flagship event, Global Conference, bringing together 4,500+ participants from around the world, featuring more than 900+ speakers throughout 200+ sessions over the course of the event.
About Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy
One of four pillars at the Milken Institute, MI Strategic Philanthropy advises individuals, corporations, and foundations on the most strategic ways to ensure their philanthropic investments make an equitable, transformative impact, and offers tools and recommendations for making philanthropy more effective. In addition to in-depth research, reports, and guides, we design and build programs including, funding initiatives, research collaboratives, large-scale innovation programs, and high-level events. Finally, we also foster peer learning communities to accelerate knowledge-sharing and promote partnership. MI Strategic Philanthropy’s three portfolio of programmatic work include SPARC (Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration), Environmental & Social innovation Philanthropy (ESI), and Philanthropy Leadership Collective (PLC).
About the Position
The Managing Director (MD) is a senior leadership role in the Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy (MISP) pillar responsible for setting and driving strategy and partnerships across the Milken Institute Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC). This role combines strategic leadership, partnership development, financial management, and cross-organizational integration to ensure programmatic excellence, financial sustainability, and alignment with Institute-wide priorities.
The MD serves as a recognized leader internally and externally, advancing thought leadership, cultivating partnerships, and enabling teams to deliver high-impact work. This role is primarily focused on strategy, partnership development, resource management, and organizational leadership, while supporting and empowering the SPARC team to execute partnerships and projects directly. The MD will report to the Executive Vice President (EVP) of MISP.
Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Portfolio Management
- In partnership with the MISP EVP and SPARC leadership, define and lead the strategic direction for SPARC, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities.
- Drive cohesion across initiatives within SPARC, MISP, and the Institute, inclusive of projects, events, and programming, philanthropic communities of practice, and emerging opportunities, ensuring clarity of vision, coordination, and measurable progress against pillar and Institute goals.
- Monitor performance and outcomes, using data to inform strategic adjustments and continuous improvement.
Organizational Integration
- Operate effectively within a matrixed structure, fostering strong collaboration across teams (e.g. SPARC, ESI, PLC, MI Health, MI Finance, etc.) and functions (e.g. business development, communications, global programming, etc).
- Ensure integration of SPARC efforts with broader pillar and organizational strategies and shared services by working closely with pillar functional leads.
- Act as a connector and facilitator to de-silo efforts and drive coordinated strategy and execution.
Thought Leadership & Partnership Development
- Lead and partner with the EVP on strategic positioning to raise visibility and awareness of the SPARC portfolios’ unique value proposition within the biomedical ecosystem and broader field of philanthropy
- Serve as a visible and credible thought leader in the field, representing the organization externally in key forums, convenings, and collaborations.
- Elevate SPARC, MISP, and MI’s voice and influence while creating and leveraging opportunities for others to contribute and lead.
- Identify and pursue strategic growth opportunities, including partnerships, funding, and new initiatives.
- Build and oversee strategic relationships with partners, funders, and key stakeholders to ensure alignment, value creation, and long-term impact.
Financial & Resource Management
- Working closely with the MISP EVP and pillar leadership, hold responsibility for SPARC budgeting and financial stewardship, ensuring financial viability and long-term sustainability.
- Allocate and optimize resources (people, funding, projects, and partnerships) to maximize impact, efficiency, and personnel development.
- Oversee financial planning, forecasting, and risk management across SPARC.
Team Leadership & Capacity Building
- Partner with MISP EVP to review and evaluate leadership growth, including through coordinated biannual performance reviews
- Lead, mentor, and empower senior staff and teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, ambition, and accountability.
- Create and cultivate pathways for team members to develop their own leadership, voice, and external presence.
- Provide guidance and counsel to project teams, stepping in as a resource when needed without owning day-to-day execution.
- Partner with the EVP to support the growth of leadership across the SPARC portfolios through ongoing development conversations and biannual reviews
Scope of Role
- High-level strategic oversight of SPARC partnership and operational strategy
- Offers guidance, mentorship, and review to ensure strong development, alignment, and implementation of partnerships and projects across SPARC with limited involvement in day-to-day project deliverables.
- Emphasis on resource management, leadership, and alignment across SPARC, the Strategic Philanthropy pillar, and the Institute
- Accountability for both SPARC impact outcomes and financial management.
- Travel regularly to:
- Serve as a senior representative of the Institute and SPARC on priority projects;
- Represent SPARC and MISP in Milken Institute programming and events; and
- Support partnership development, field engagement, and thought leadership efforts as relevant.
- Duties as assigned
Requirements
- Ph.D. in a field of biomedical science with 15+ years of relevant full-time work experience in the fields of philanthropy advisory, science and health innovation, environmental and/or social innovation
- Recognized leader in philanthropy, science and health innovation
- Proven success in cultivating relationships with high-net-worth individuals, foundations, and other organizations
- Proven success with development and leadership of community programming and events that foster meaningful connections and participation
- Experience with funding mechanisms and nonprofit structures;
- Experienced and compelling writer with experience communicating scientific concepts for both technical and lay audiences
- High intellectual capacity with a curiosity for learning new areas of science, technology, and related fields
- Experience in navigating scientific literature, scientific conferences, and other biomedical research resources; and
- Personal attitude that includes being outgoing, entrepreneurial, action-oriented, flexible, with a willingness to adapt to changing situations and having a good sense of humor
Qualifications
- Proven senior leadership experience in a nonprofit, public sector, or mission-driven organization, ideally within a matrixed structure.
- Demonstrated success in setting and executing strategy at a portfolio or organizational level.
- Strong financial acumen, including budget management and resource allocation.
- Track record of building partnerships and leading business development efforts.
- Recognized expertise or thought leadership within biomedical research, health, and science funding, with prioritized specific experience in science philanthropy.
- Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to operate effectively in complex, fast-paced, and collaborative environments.
- Demonstrated commitment to mentorship and developing talent and leadership within matrixed teams.
Working Conditions & Travel Requirements
This position will work in a professional office environment on a hybrid schedule consisting of three (3) days per week reporting in-person to the Washington, DC office location (Tuesday – Thursday), with the remaining two (2) days working remotely. Please understand, this schedule is subject to change at the Institute’s sole discretion.
This person will also be required to travel occasionally to other offices and/or venues to assist with events as needed, requiring occasional work outside of traditional hours. International along with domestic travel is possible. Additionally, this position requires interacting virtually on a regular basis with Milken Institute staff based in other locations in the United States and around the world.
Note
The statements herein are intended to describe the overall nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.
We are interested in qualified candidates who are eligible to work in the United States. Please note, we are not sponsoring visas at this time, being authorized to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment.
Please submit resume and cover letter illustrating how your experience and skills will contribute to the department and any unique qualities you bring to the position. If applying via Indeed, please upload your resume and any supporting documentation as one attachment. Any application that does not include both a resume and cover letter will be rejected. If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact our Human Resources department to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.
Our Culture
The Milken Institute is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran.
Every person at the Milken Institute is treated with respect, supported with resources and training, and exposed to a broad range of experiences. We foster a space for growth with opportunities to share knowledge and passion with both clients and colleagues. We are committed to building a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. Our leadership is actively involved in our commitment to diversity and inclusion, and fostering a culture that creates opportunities for everyone.
Benefits
- Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
- Retirement Plan - 403b (5% match)
- Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
- Paid Time Off (Personal, Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
- Family Leave (Maternity & Paternity)
- Fertility Support
- Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
- Flexible Spending Account (FSAs)
- Pet Insurance Discount
- Training & Development:
- LinkedIn Learning – over 15,000 self-guided classes offered
- Annual Mentor Program
- Wellness Resources:
- Employee Assistance Program
- CALM app membership