Program Manager, University Relations & Academic Affairs

Company: Arc Institute
Location: Palo Alto
Posted on: April 5, 2026

Job Description:

About Arc Institute Arc Institute is an independent nonprofit research organization at the interface of artificial intelligence and biology, working to accelerate scientific progress and understand the root causes of complex diseases. Founded in 2021 and based in Palo Alto, Arc partners with Stanford University, UC Berkeley, and UC San Francisco. Unlike academia, our scientists have long-term funding and industry-like resources. Unlike industry, they're free to pursue high-risk, long-term research without commercial pressures. Arc's Technology Centers and Core Investigator labs work side by side, integrating experimental and computational biology under one roof to tackle problems neither could solve alone. Our two Institute Initiatives reflect this model in action: Virtual Cell Initiative : Building a full-stack virtual cell model to identify disease mechanisms and nominate drug targets, accelerating the path from biological insight to clinical trials. Alzheimer's Disease Initiative : Mapping the genes, pathways, and environmental factors behind Alzheimer's disease to develop drug candidates that address root causes. More than 300 Arconauts work together at our Palo Alto headquarters, backed by substantial long-term philanthropic funding. Why this position could be the best job you’ve ever had You won't just manage programs — you'll help build the infrastructure that connects world-class science to the institutions that support it. Arc sits at a unique intersection: the resources and pace of a well-funded organization, the intellectual ambition of a top-tier research institute, and partnerships with three of the most influential universities in the world. Your work will directly shape how those partnerships grow and how Arc's scientific community thrives. This role gives you a seat at the table, not just a task list. You'll be a thought partner to the team's leader, help design programs from the ground up, and see your ideas take shape in real time — all while working alongside people who are genuinely trying to change how science gets done. About the position The Program Manager is a key member of the University Relations & Academic Affairs team. In this role, you will provide strategic and programmatic support to the team as well as the overall Arc community. The Program Manager portfolio includes Arc’s Innovation Investigator and Ignite Awardee programs, the Arc Biosciences Fellowship program, onboarding of new faculty, as well as other initiatives. The Program Manager will also have an active role in the development and execution of our university relations strategy. You will help establish and improve processes for all the programs and projects in your portfolio, and take the lead on several internal initiatives. You will be responsible for developing communications for internal and external programs and projects, designing and implementing good practices for management of our partner university relationships, and designing and coordinating various events, among other activities that will contribute to your success in the role. The Program Manager works in collaboration with members of the operations team and reports to the Head of University Relations & Academic Affairs. Success in the position requires the ability to juggle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment and strong project and management skills. The Program Manager uses independent judgment in decision-making and employs strong communication, problem-solving and organizational skills. She/he/they is mission-oriented and has an excitement for propelling science through partnerships. About you You are a collaborator. You recognize the value of building relationships and like working with a variety of people to get things done. You thrive in a fast-paced environment. You work quickly but thoughtfully. You enjoy being a part of multiple projects and seeing how individual initiatives fit into the bigger mission of the team and the organization. You love ensuring that projects are completed on time and with as little friction as possible. You make this happen by taking into account both the big picture and the details, building strong relationships with the stakeholders, and actively managing the steps along the way. You are inspired by science. Whether you have worked in biotech or barely know what CRISPR is, you see the transformational potential of biomedical research, and want to contribute to advancing the field with your expertise. In this position you will Act as a thought partner to the Head of University Relations & Academic Affairs Assist with the development, implementation and management of several initiatives, including: Arc’s Innovation Investigator and Ignite Awardee programs, Arc’s Biosciences Fellowship program, and more. Assist in the development and execution of our university relations strategy Interface with Arc’s university partners on a variety of issues, e.g., joint initiatives, program development and implementation, etc. Manage timelines, communications and logistics for programs Assess efficacy and success of programs, providing feedback and suggestions for improvement Provide support for Arc’s faculty and fellows searches as we grow our Core Investigator and Science Fellow teams Assist with the creation and implementation of forums for connection amongst Arc’s scientific community, including a variety of events Manage the onboarding process for faculty and fellows joining the Arc community, including internal and external stakeholder management Requirements 5 years experience in a project coordinator or project manager role (preferably in an academic setting but not required) Experience designing and executing programs that scale Passionate about working in a highly collaborative environment, partnering closely with faculty and all of Arc’s Ops teams Proven experience acting as a trusted and effective partner, internally and externally Superior communication and writing skills Solution-oriented and adept at navigating shifting priorities and rapid change in a growing organization Highly organized and detail-oriented Work minimum of 3 days per week onsite in our Palo Alto office Preferred Qualifications Working knowledge of project management tools (e.g., Asana) and CRM systems a plus The base salary range for this position is $117,000 to $145,000. These amounts reflect the range of base salary that the Institute reasonably would expect to pay a new hire or internal candidate for this position. The actual base compensation paid to any individual for this position may vary depending on factors such as experience, market conditions, education/training, skill level, and whether the compensation is internally equitable, and does not include bonuses, commissions, differential pay, other forms of compensation, or benefits. This position is also eligible to receive an annual discretionary bonus, with the amount dependent on individual and institute performance factors.

Keywords: Arc Institute, Cupertino , Program Manager, University Relations & Academic Affairs, Science, Research & Development , Palo Alto, California