Job Title: VP, Head of Transformation Office (Strategic Initiatives)
Position Summary:
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research ("the Foundation") is seeking top talent for its VP, Head of Transformation Office position. This newly created role will lead enterprise-wide transformation efforts that ensure the Foundation remains agile, aligned, and positioned for long-term impact.
Reporting to the Chief of Staff and working closely with the Strategic Planning & Insights team, this leader will serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership—guiding strategic programs, managing organizational change, and incubating new initiatives that strengthen the Foundation’s effectiveness and adaptability.
The ideal candidate combines strategic foresight, operational excellence, and people-centered leadership to drive transformative progress across the Foundation.
This position may require in-person attendance on a monthly basis at the Foundation’s office in New York City.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Program Management
- Lead the design and implementation of major cross-functional initiatives aligned with the Foundation’s mission and strategy
- Partner with Strategic Planning & Insights to translate long-term goals into actionable, measurable plans
- Establish governance, metrics, and reporting systems to ensure accountability and impact
Change Leadership and Transformation
- Serve as the Foundation’s lead change strategist, shaping and guiding organizational transformation efforts
- Develop and implement a practical change management framework that supports readiness, communication, and adoption
- Partner with leaders to anticipate challenges, align stakeholders, and embed a culture of adaptability and continuous learning
- Coach teams and senior leaders to build internal change leadership capabilities
Response Teams and Rapid Impact Initiatives
- Launch and lead agile teams to address urgent challenges or opportunities requiring fast coordination and execution
- Facilitate structured problem-solving and ensure clear ownership, rapid progress, and measurable results
Incubation of New Initiatives
- Identify and pilot new organizational capabilities or processes that advance the Foundation’s mission and efficiency
- Define success metrics for early-stage initiatives and manage their transition to sustainable operations
People Management and Team Development
- Lead and develop a team that drives cross-functional initiatives and change efforts
- Set priorities, define goals, and foster accountability for outcomes that enhance organizational agility and impact
Qualifications & Skills:
- Proven experience leading large-scale organizational transformation and strategic initiatives within complex or mission-driven environments
- Proven ability to lead, develop, and inspire a team that drives cross-functional initiatives and deliver measurable impact
- Deep expertise in change management frameworks (e.g., Prosci, Kotter, ADKAR) and ability to adapt them to organizational culture
- Proven ability to align people, processes, and systems to achieve measurable, enterprise-level outcomes
- Strategic thinker with strong operational acumen; connects vision to execution and manages governance, risk, and stakeholder engagement
- Exceptional communicator and trusted advisor skilled at simplifying complexity, building alignment, and influencing senior leaders
- Mission-driven, inclusive, and adaptable leader who thrives in evolving contexts
- Advanced degree or change management certification (e.g., Prosci, ACMP) preferred
How to Apply:
Interested candidates should submit a resume and thoughtful cover letter describing through examples, their specific qualifications and interest in the position. If you think that your skills are transferable and can add value to this role, please apply. Applicants who best match the position’s needs will be contacted.
About Us:
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research was founded in 2000 with one clear objective: accelerating meaningful therapeutic advances and, ultimately, a cure for Parkinson’s disease (PD). The Foundation applies extraordinary scientific, business and media assets to this singular focus—thus creating a unique and dynamic organization. Since inception, MJFF has quickly grown into the largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson’s disease research, having funded over $2 billion in research projects in both academic and industry labs worldwide.
Visit www.michaeljfox.org for more information.
Research has shown that people from marginalized communities apply to roles only when they meet 100% of the job requirements. If you think that your skills are transferable and can add value to this role, and you are someone who will contribute to our efforts to build and support a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce, we strongly encourage you to apply.
