Application Guide

How to Apply for Research Program Manager

at Constellation

🏢 About Constellation

Constellation appears to be an organization focused on hosting and supporting research programs and talent, particularly in technical fields, with initiatives like the Anthropic Fellows Program. The company likely operates at the intersection of research management, talent development, and strategic partnerships, creating a unique environment for those passionate about advancing research ecosystems.

About This Role

This Research Program Manager role involves designing and running research programs in partnership with senior researchers, managing research projects with a mix of people and project management, and working with external partners like the Anthropic Fellows Program. The role is impactful because it directly supports talent mobilization into full-time roles aligned with their skills and values, shaping the future of research initiatives hosted by Constellation.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve meeting with senior researchers to design program frameworks, coaching team members on project milestones, and coordinating with external partners like the Anthropic Fellows Program to ensure research support is delivered effectively. You could also spend time evaluating talent for placement opportunities and refining mobilization strategies based on program feedback.

🎯 Who Constellation Is Looking For

  • Has 2-5 years of management experience on technical research or engineering teams, with proven ability to coach and manage performance.
  • Has designed and led multi-stakeholder initiatives focused on recruiting, evaluating, matching, and placing research talent.
  • Is a quick learner who can grasp complex technical topics and enjoys people management in a research context.
  • Has experience with external partnership management, similar to supporting programs like the Anthropic Fellows Program.

📝 Tips for Applying to Constellation

1

Highlight specific examples of designing and running research programs, not just managing existing ones.

2

Detail your experience with multi-stakeholder talent initiatives, emphasizing metrics like placement rates or program scalability.

3

Demonstrate your ability to understand technical research topics by briefly explaining a complex project you've managed.

4

Showcase partnership experience, especially with external organizations in research or talent development.

5

Tailor your resume to show how you've mobilized talent into roles matching their skills and values, as this is a core responsibility.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Explain your passion for people management and coaching in a research context, with concrete examples.', "Describe a multi-stakeholder initiative you've led from design to talent placement, highlighting outcomes.", 'Mention your experience with external partnerships, such as hosting or supporting collaborative programs.', "Connect your technical learning ability to how you've managed complex research projects effectively."]

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • Investigate Constellation's hosted programs and initiatives, such as the Anthropic Fellows Program, to understand their scope.
  • Look into the types of research or technical fields Constellation supports to gauge the complexity you might manage.
  • Research any public partnerships or collaborations Constellation has to understand their external engagement style.
  • Explore if Constellation has a stated mission or values related to talent mobilization and research advancement.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk me through how you designed and ran a research program from scratch, including stakeholder engagement.
2 How do you balance people management, project management, and performance coaching in research settings?
3 Describe a time you worked with external partners to deliver research support, like the Anthropic Fellows Program example.
4 What strategies do you use to match and place talent into roles that align with their skills and values?
5 How do you stay updated on complex technical topics to manage research teams effectively?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying with generic management experience without highlighting specific work in technical research or engineering teams.
  • Failing to provide examples of multi-stakeholder talent initiatives, as this is a key requirement.
  • Overlooking the people management aspect by focusing solely on project management in your application.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Constellation!