Program Manager

The Helmut Horten Foundation (HHF) is seeking a Program Manager to help drive its mission of improving patient care and contributing to medical advancements in Switzerland.

Are you passionate about innovative, impactful solutions for healthcare and believe that philanthropic organizations play an important role in fostering innovation? Catch the opportunity to work closely with a small team in a dynamic, collaborative environment. Join us during an exciting growth phase and play a key role in shaping the future of healthcare and medical research. Together, we will make a lasting impact on health for patients and society.

About the Foundation

Founded in 1971, the Helmut Horten Foundation promotes healthcare through high-impact grants. The Foundation supports groundbreaking medical research and clinical translation projects at top Swiss institutions, particularly in immunology and precision medicine in oncology. Based in Ticino, the foundation operates through initiatives, partnerships and annual calls for proposals.

• Member of SwissFoundations and proFonds
• Lugano, onsite
• Start Date: February 1, 2025
• Part-time role: 80% workload

Your Role

As Program Manager, you will manage our Consortium Projects for Clinical Translation and Young Investigator Grants, ensuring these programs align with our strategic goals and deliver positive impact. You will also support the lifecycle management of other grants and contribute to the development of the strategy and of new grant making initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the annual calls for proposals
• Manage the entire grant lifecycle: from application to evaluation, reporting and closure
• Maintain strong relationships with beneficiaries and partners
• Prepare reports and materials for reporting and decision-making
• Monitor trends in medical research and healthcare to guide funding decisions
• Develop impact reports and coordinate evaluation efforts
• Identify opportunities to improve program quality and efficiency

Your Profile

We are looking for someone with:

• Advanced degree (master’s, ideally PhD) in a life sciences or medical field. Expertise in immunology or computational medicine is highly valued
• Several years of experience in project management in research and / or clinical settings
• Experience in grant writing or funding selection processes (in the field of scientific projects)
• Good knowledge of the Swiss academic and healthcare landscape
• Familiarity with the functioning of the philanthropic sector
• Strong analytical skills, with a knack for conveying complex ideas in clear, concise ways
• Excellent communication skills. Fluency in English and at least one (ideally two) other national language(s)
• Proficiency in Office 365 and relevant apps

Team

As part of the head office team of four, you will report directly to Scientific Director Dr. Vanessa Johnen and work closely with the controlling and administrative team as well as the Advisory Board.

Please send your cover letter and CV in PDF format to HR@helmut-horten-stiftung.org.