Program Manager
Position Title: Program Manager
Reports to: Executive Director, Universities Allied for Essential Medicines North America
Location: Remote (Anywhere in North America)
Position Type: Full Time, flexible schedule (may include nights and weekends)
Start Date and Time frame: June 1, 2025, 12 months+
Organization Background:
Universities Allied for Essential Medicines (UAEM) North America, a U.S. 501(c)(3) organization, seeks a new Program Manager. As a non-profit organization rooted in a movement of university students, UAEM aims to:
Promote equitable access to medicines and other health technologies by changing norms and practices around university patenting and licensing;
Ensure that university and publicly-funded biomedical research meets the needs of the majority of the world’s population; and
Empower students across universities to respond to the crisis of inequitable access to the fruits of biomedical research at their own institutions as well as nationally and globally.
Since its founding in 2001, UAEM has grown into an international network of students in medicine, law, public health, and related fields with chapters across university campuses in 15 countries.
About the Position:
The Program Manager will provide full-time coordination and support for UAEM students working on a variety of global health advocacy campaigns. These range from on-campus efforts (such as pushing universities to adopt socially responsible research licensing policies or increase their focus on neglected diseases) to internationally-coordinated initiatives like UAEM’s “Report Card,” which grades leading US and Canadian universities on their efforts to advance global health.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Student Engagement & Training
Engage and empower UAEM student leaders to develop and implement effective advocacy campaigns that motivate universities to improve their global health and medical research commitments
Recruit new students and support and strengthen existing UAEM chapters through regular phone and web communication with student members and frequent campus visits
Train students in effective advocacy and advise/consult them on campaign strategy, tactics and day-to-day activities, including recruiting, media outreach, administrator engagement, and campus events
Recruit and manage student interns during summer, as well as spring and fall semesters as needed
Program Management
Ensure that UAEM’s advocacy campaigns and projects contribute to the fulfilment of UAEM’s mission, support the strategic plan, and reflect the priorities and core values of the organization
Logistically support student campaigns, including by organizing conference calls, meetings and events, producing materials and resources, and facilitating collaboration across campuses
Manage student and staff activities (typically via remote / virtual communication) to ensure timely and successful completion of projects
Administer UAEM’s funds in accordance with the approved budget; Work with Executive Director to help prepare annual budget
Work closely with UAEM’s student leadership bodies, particularly our North American Coordinating Committee, through weekly evening conference calls and day-to-day engagement
Play a key role in planning and coordinating major UAEM conferences, leadership meetings, and student travel
Regularly report to and consult with UAEM Executive Director and other staff on activities
Maintain systems and records of work, document progress on projects, and organize information for grant reporting purposes.
Operations & Communications
Foster collaboration between all parts of UAEM’s network, including staff, student leaders, the Board of Directors, international chapters, advisors and allies
Help maintain a positive, healthy, safe and legally compliant work environment
Organize, maintain, and update documentation on internal web sites
Manage social media strategy and content; support fundraising outreach
Desired Qualifications and Skills:
Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in relevant fields a plus:
An academic background relevant to civic science, including (but not limited to) experience in biological, physical, or social science; math, technology, or engineering; media, journalism, communications, arts, or design; formal or informal science learning; science funding; community organizing; or public policy
Project management
Experience defining and documenting project scope, objectives and outcomes
Ability to design work plan, ensure deadlines are met, track project performance, and provide project updates
Ability to enlist, manage, communicate to, and coordinate relevant stakeholders
Ability to manage a budget
Autonomy, proactivity, & flexibility
Ability to work collaboratively with students, often when students are available, which includes evenings and weekends, also;
Self-motivated and able to work independently on projects in a remote environment
Highly organization and attention to detail
Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Strong writing skills in a variety of formats – from policy documents to media materials to daily email outreach – with close attention to detail
Interest in learning communications skill sets where gaps exist in knowledge
Ability to translate complex topics into clear terms both verbally and in writing to major medical associations, government agencies, student audiences, and allied health advocacy organizations.
The Program Manager reports directly to the Executive Director of UAEM North America and will be based remotely, anywhere in North America. UAEM is not able to offer visa sponsorship for this role.
The position is fully remote, however the Program Manager will be expected to participate in a limited number of in-person activities, including:
In-person meetings of Universities Allied for Essential Medicines, including our 2025 Fall NALM conference, 2026 spring Annual conference, and a limited number of in-person training sessions for student leaders in our network, to be determined throughout the course of the year.
Presentations as needed at conferences and events across North America.
Compensation
The salary range is $50,000-65,000 and a competitive benefits package, including: 10 paid vacation days, dedicated holidays (including a break during the final week of the year), access to a 403b retirement account, and 100% premium-paid health insurance. Depending on experience, budget, and qualifications.
This position is funded for a 12-month period with the possibility, but no guarantee, of extension.
To Apply
Please send a cover letter, resume or CV, and writing sample (light or no editing, substantially your own work) to justin@uaem.org. Please reference “Program Manager” in the subject of the email. You may also include three professional references.
UAEM is committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination or harassment. We expect every member of the UAEM community to do their part to cultivate and maintain an environment where everyone has the opportunity to feel included, and is afforded the respect and dignity they deserve.
Decisions related to hiring, compensating, training, evaluating performance, or terminating are made fairly, and we provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified candidates and employees. We examine our unconscious biases and take responsibility for always striving to create an inclusive environment that makes every employee and candidate feel welcome.
