Senior Manager, TB Diagnostics

Job Posting Organization:
The organization is the largest nonprofit dedicated to combating poverty, disease, and inequity globally. Founded on the principle that all individuals, regardless of their identity or circumstances, deserve the opportunity to lead healthy and productive lives, the foundation emphasizes diversity among its employees to reflect the populations it serves. It offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage without premiums, generous paid time off, paid family leave, retirement contributions, regional holidays, and opportunities for employees to engage in various community initiatives. The foundation is committed to fostering an environment that supports both personal and professional growth for its employees.

Job Overview:
In this role, you will be primarily responsible for shaping and advancing the TB Diagnostics strategy by managing a portfolio of impactful investments aimed at accelerating the development and validation of innovative TB diagnostics specifically designed for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). You will collaborate closely with the EDGE (Enterics, Diagnostics, Genomics & Surveillance) and TB Delivery teams to guide the scientific, technical, and partnership aspects of the diagnostics development pipeline, ensuring alignment with the foundation's goals for TB diagnostics introduction. Additionally, you will work with the HIV team to identify potential high-value investments in HIV diagnostics that align with the foundation's priorities. This position requires a strategic mindset, as you will contribute to the formulation of strategies, manage complex grants and contracts, engage with a diverse array of partners, and stay informed about the latest innovations and trends in diagnostic technologies.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Your responsibilities will include leading and managing a strategic diagnostics R&D investment portfolio, applying your scientific, technical, and business expertise to identify, assess, fund, and oversee grants and contracts across various stages of product development, including discovery, technology validation, clinical evaluation, and implementation readiness. You will provide strategic and technical leadership in diagnostics product development, making risk-based decisions, planning iterative milestones, and offering expert guidance to product developers, product development partnerships (PDPs), academic groups, and implementing partners. You will drive the creation and refinement of target product profiles (TPPs), use cases, and value propositions for TB/HIV diagnostics across diverse settings and populations, ensuring alignment with broader TB and HIV treatment and prevention strategies. Additionally, you will shape and implement program strategy by collaborating with team leadership and contributing to the cross-functional TB/HIV Diagnostics R&D Initiative, including goal setting, investment planning, and execution. Your role will also involve reviewing and recommending funding opportunities, evaluating letters of inquiry and proposals, and preparing clear analyses and funding recommendations for internal stakeholders. You will monitor and evaluate investment performance through site visits, stakeholder convenings, and supporting grantees to ensure progress toward defined milestones and outcomes. Cultivating and managing partnerships across the TB/HIV ecosystem, including PDPs, diagnostics developers, pharmaceutical companies, academic institutions, global experts, and implementing agencies, will be essential. You will also need to stay current with scientific, technological, and market trends relevant to diagnostics development, particularly in LMIC settings, and surface innovative approaches to accelerate cost-effective product development. Collaboration with internal teams to ensure diagnostic innovations integrate effectively with treatment and prevention R&D and delivery strategies will be a key aspect of your role. You will manage portfolio information and decision processes, documenting key activities, contributing to business processes and performance measurement tools, and preparing materials for communication with foundation leadership. Finally, you will represent the foundation externally, engaging in global development networks and contributing to thought leadership in TB/HIV diagnostics, with travel up to 30% domestically and internationally to support partners and investments.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree (PhD/MD with 10+ years, or MSc with 15+ years) in life sciences, biomedical engineering, public health, or a related field, with substantial experience in diagnostics product development or infectious disease R&D. Deep expertise in TB and/or infectious disease diagnostics is required, including end-to-end product development for point-of-care assays and familiarity with molecular platforms such as PCR and sequencing. Proven experience leading diagnostic product development in industry from early-stage concept through regulatory licensure is essential. A strong understanding of regulatory requirements and pathways across phases of diagnostic development is necessary, along with the ability to evaluate emerging technologies and align them with biomedical or public health applications. Candidates should have experience developing, managing, and executing cross-functional product development plans and coordinating across scientific, clinical, operational, and external partners. Successful management of complex partnerships, including with PDPs, biotech/industry, academic groups, and global health stakeholders is required. Experience working in or with partners in low- and middle-income countries, with sensitivity to local implementation contexts, is also important. Excellent written and oral communication skills are necessary, with experience conveying complex technical concepts to diverse audiences. Candidates should demonstrate scientific writing and data analysis skills, as well as the ability to navigate ambiguity, simplify complex problems, and maintain flexibility, efficiency, and enthusiasm in fast-paced, matrixed environments. Strong judgment, discretion, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities and confidential information are essential. A deep commitment to global health equity and the foundation's mission, along with a strong results orientation, is expected.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced degree in life sciences, biomedical engineering, public health, or a related field. Candidates with a PhD or MD should have at least 10 years of relevant experience, while those with a Master's degree (MSc) should have a minimum of 15 years of experience in the field.

Experience:
Candidates should have significant experience in diagnostics product development or infectious disease R&D, with a proven track record of leading diagnostic product development from early-stage concept through regulatory licensure. Experience in managing complex partnerships and working with stakeholders in low- and middle-income countries is also essential.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is likely required due to the nature of the role and the international scope of the organization. Additional language skills relevant to the regions served by the foundation may be considered advantageous.

Additional Notes:
The salary range for this role is between $212,800 to $329,800 USD, with higher ranges for positions based in Seattle and Washington D.C. where the foundation's offices are located. The salary for this role in these locations ranges from $234,000 to $362,800 USD. As a mission-driven organization, the foundation aims to balance competitive pay with its mission, and new hires typically fall between the range minimum and the midpoint. Actual placement in the salary range will depend on the candidate's job-related skills, experience, and expertise as evaluated during the interview process. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, and accommodations are available for candidates with disabilities during the application or recruitment process. The foundation is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in its workplace and strives to provide equal opportunities for all applicants and employees.