Special Projects Manager

Role Summary

The Lipedema Foundation (LF), the world’s largest funder of Lipedema research, is seeking an outstanding professional to join our entrepreneurial team at the forefront of a unique area of women’s health. The Special Projects Manager, a new role reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, will own and drive to completion a diverse and changing set of projects to amplify LF’s research and awareness work.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a resourceful, strategic and collaborative individual to learn about philanthropy and impact an emerging corner of women’s health research. They will join an innovative start-up environment that values ownership, creativity and efficiency, with significant potential to learn and grow. LF currently does not engage in fundraising, so all work is tied directly to the mission.

Position Description

The Special Projects Manager will own and implement projects that span and knit together LF’s functional areas, including operations, awareness, strategy and research. Working within organizational priorities and defined goals, this person will put structure around ambiguous problems, come up to speed quickly on new areas, create and manage work plans, marshal internal and external resources to drive projects to completion, and communicate effectively.

The successful candidate will not just be a manager or coordinator. They will own work streams, and supplement their effort by coordinating the work of colleagues and external partners.

Representative projects might include:

• Researching, scoping, launching and staffing a patient engagement committee
• Leading interviews/focus groups to understand how to build awareness more effectively among key healthcare constituencies (e.g., specialist doctors, physical/occupational therapists)
• Devising the Foundation’s approach to bequests
• Designing and coordinating “live research” and patient recruitment events at conferences
• Creating & managing a strategic event promotion strategy

The position requires management of multiple simultaneous projects and tasks, and thoughtful collaboration and communication with stakeholders.

LF is currently a remote-first hybrid office. Remote is possible as long as the candidate can periodically travel (often to the Greenwich, CT office) for team meetings. Up to 20% travel is required for this role.

Roles and Responsibilities

Project design and execution - 70%

• Design and implement diverse projects in collaboration with the Chief Executive Officer, other staff members and external consultants, working within priorities determined by the organization’s leadership
• Supplement their own effort by marshaling internal and external resources as needed
• Create, update and track progress against project work plans
• Communicate and collaborate proactively and effectively
• Build coalitions of internal and external advisors when necessary

Analysis, research, and communication - 15%

• Conduct desk (internet) research and interviews with experts to come up to speed quickly on new topics, collaborators, and experts
• Prepare internal memos/briefs to communicate key findings and insights
• Draft content and support marketing colleagues to share work with external audiences

Operational and Executive Support - 15%

• Track and balance the organization’s competing priorities through management of LF’s Task Management / Project Management and goal tracking software
• Provide support to the Chief Executive Officer on periodic administrative tasks, e.g. insurance renewals
• Manage external relationships including business partners and vendors
• Attend, contribute to and potentially manage internal and external events
• Other duties as required

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• 3 to 5+ years of relevant experience managing and executing projects in a management consulting, project management, executive assistant/support, or similar role; background in philanthropy/nonprofits a plus
• Excellent technology skills and proficiency in Google Suite; task management software familiarity (e.g., SmartSheet) preferred
• Ambitious and driven to learn and grow, with an interest in gaining knowledge about philanthropy and health research
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented, extremely organized, and a pro at managing multiple projects and priorities simultaneously
• Ability to work independently and in remote team-based efforts with appropriate communication
• Comfort and interest in working with women's health issues, with a particular sensitivity to patient experiences with the healthcare system
• Ability to handle confidential information, especially patient data, with discretion
• Impeccable verbal and written communication skills and attention to detail
• Strong writing capabilities and ability to draft communications for a range of audiences (internal; external; technical; lay audiences)
• Willing and able to follow Covid safety protocols when in office

We recognize that no applicant fits a job description perfectly, so we encourage candidates with most, but not all, of the above qualifications to apply.

The Lipedema Foundation offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including generous insurance and retirement benefits.

Physical Requirements

• Capable of travel, minimal meeting and conference booth set up, including moving boxes.
• Capable of standing during booth-related duties at conferences (infrequent).

Inclusivity

The Lipedema Foundation values equity and inclusion, and we encourage applications from people underrepresented in philanthropy to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other class protected under federal or state law.

About the Foundation and Lipedema

The Lipedema Foundation is a private, non-fundraising foundation established in 2015 to define, diagnose and develop treatments for Lipedema. It has awarded more than $11 million in the US and internationally to date and maintains the Lipedema Foundation Registry.

Lipedema is a chronic medical condition primarily impacting women and characterized by a symmetric buildup of adipose tissue (fat) in the legs and arms, often with pain and, at advanced stages, impaired mobility. It is frequently misdiagnosed as obesity or lymphedema, though Lipedema is resistant to exercise and diet. Lipedema is widespread, affecting millions of adolescent and adult women, but is vastly under-diagnosed. Awareness is increasing; progress includes recognition by the American College of Cardiology and publication of a standard of care in the United States.

Find out more at www.lipedema.org.