Program Manager - AI Research Fellowship Program

** This is a 6-month contract position that offers the potential to extend **

Title: Program Manager - AI Research Fellowship Program

Location: Menlo Park, CA (Onsite)

Duration: 6-month contract with potential for extension

About the Role

Our client is seeking an experienced Program Manager to build and lead a high-impact fellowship program supporting one of the world's leading AI research organizations. This role will focus on developing strategic relationships with distinguished academic and scientific experts while creating a scalable program that accelerates collaboration and AI adoption across clinical and scientific disciplines.

This is a highly visible, externally facing role that requires exceptional relationship management, executive presence, and program leadership. You'll work directly with senior faculty, researchers, and institutional leaders while partnering closely with internal research, product, legal, and operations teams.

If you enjoy building programs from the ground up, collaborating with world-class experts, and working at the intersection of AI, science, and innovation, we'd love to hear from you.

What You'll Do

• Design, launch, and scale a prestigious fellowship program for senior academic and scientific leaders.
• Build and manage long-term relationships with distinguished faculty, researchers, clinicians, and institutional leaders.
• Develop the program's external brand and reputation within targeted scientific and clinical communities.
• Own the end-to-end fellowship experience, from identifying and engaging prospective fellows through ongoing relationship management.
• Partner with internal research, product, legal, and operations teams to ensure successful execution and continuous program improvement.
• Build scalable operational processes, governance models, and engagement strategies as the program grows.
• Cultivate fellows as advocates who help drive adoption of cutting-edge AI technologies within clinical and scientific communities.
• Manage multiple workstreams simultaneously while navigating ambiguity in a fast-paced research environment.

Requirements

Required

• 5+ years of program or project management experience, including building and scaling complex programs.
• Demonstrated success managing relationships with senior external stakeholders such as university faculty, researchers, executives, clinicians, institutional leaders, or comparable partners.
• Experience building strategic partnerships across multiple organizations or institutions.
• Proven ability to create scalable processes and operational frameworks in ambiguous environments.
• Outstanding written, verbal, and presentation skills with the ability to engage senior audiences.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.

Preferred

• Experience in Academic Relations, University Partnerships, Scientific Affairs, Research Partnerships, or similar functions.
• Experience working with academic institutions, research organizations, healthcare systems, or scientific communities.
• Familiarity with AI, machine learning, digital health, or research organizations.
• Experience managing fellowship, scholar, advisory, consortium, or expert community programs.
• Experience representing an organization externally through conferences, institutional partnerships, or executive engagements.
• Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in a relevant field.

Ideal Backgrounds

We'd especially love to hear from candidates with experience in areas such as:

• Academic Relations
• Research Partnerships
• Scientific Affairs
• University Partnerships
• Research Alliance Management
• Digital Health
• AI Research Operations
• Healthcare Innovation
• Research Program Management
• Fellowship or Scholar Programs

Benefits

Compensation Range: $90-95/hr

** This pay range is Client-specific for the opening advertised. The identity of the Client will be disclosed if you are selected to move forward in the hiring process. **

Benefits:

• Employer contributions toward the cost of employee-only medical and dental premiums
• Vision - opt-in available
• 401k
• PTO
• Laptop
• Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, AD&D coverage
• Short-term Disability, Accident, Cancer/Critical Illness, Pet insurance - opt in available