Job Title: Program & Partnerships Manager
Organization: Synovial Sarcoma Foundation
Location: Philadelphia, PA or Washington, DC
Employment Type: Full-Time (40 hours/week)
Salary Range: $65,000–$85,000 (commensurate with experience; includes benefits—see below)
Reports To: Executive Director & Chairman of the Board
About the Synovial Sarcoma Foundation:
Founded by Chas and Laura Spence in response to their son Callan’s diagnosis, the Synovial Sarcoma Foundation is dedicated to accelerating research, raising awareness, and supporting families affected by this rare and aggressive cancer. To date, we’ve raised over $2M to fund initiatives such as a national tumor board, biosample registry, and pediatric clinical trials. Now entering a major growth phase—with a goal of raising $20M+ to expand our registry, drive recurrence studies, recruit top research talent, and advance cellular therapy discovery—we are seeking our first full-time staff member to help scale our partnerships and programs.
Position Summary:
The Program & Partnerships Manager will serve as the central connector across the Foundation’s research, industry, and patient communities. This person will strengthen relationships with leading research institutions and biotech partners, manage coordination with funded programs, and help activate our growing network of patients and caregivers. The ideal candidate is highly organized, proactive, and energized by building relationships that accelerate scientific progress and patient impact.
Key Responsibilities:
- Research Partner Liaison:
Support coordination and communication across all active research collaborations funded by the Foundation, including programs at CHOP, Penn Medicine, and other partner institutions. Help track progress, share updates, and ensure alignment across funded initiatives. - Research Community & Industry Partnerships:
Work with Foundation leadership to continue building and maintaining relationships across the broader synovial sarcoma ecosystem—including biotech companies, academic researchers, and other nonprofits—to position the Foundation as a central hub for collaboration, information sharing, and emerging research opportunities. - Community Engagement:
Support patient and caregiver outreach, help connect families with resources, and strengthen the Foundation’s active community of advocates. - Board & Project Support:
Collaborate closely with board members and working groups to track initiatives, ensure timely progress, and facilitate strong internal communication. - Fundraising & Events:
Support campaigns, donor engagement, and event planning. Assist with sponsorship coordination, tracking, and reporting. - Operations & Administration:
Oversee communications and documentation with partners and board members, assist with basic financial and donor record management, and ensure smooth organizational operations.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in communications, nonprofit management, public health, biology, or related field (or equivalent experience).
- 2+ years of experience in project coordination, preferably in healthcare, research, or nonprofit environments.
- Strong organizational and communication skills, with proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and CRM tools (e.g., DonorPerfect).
- Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to communicate effectively across scientific, nonprofit, and patient communities.
- Passion for cancer research and rare diseases; familiarity with sarcoma or immunotherapy preferred.
- Demonstrated commitment to collaboration, innovation, and equity.
Benefits:
- Competitive salary with performance-based bonus potential.
- Health insurance stipend (or full coverage as budget allows).
- Flexible work hours and location; 15–20 days of paid time off annually.
- Professional development opportunities, including travel support for conferences such as ASCO and CTOS.
- A mission-driven culture and the opportunity to make a direct impact on patients and families affected by synovial sarcoma.
Application:
To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to community@synovialsarcoma.org. We look forward to hearing from you!
Send us your application at community@synovialsarcoma.org