Executive Director

WHO WE ARE:

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society mobilizes people and resources to drive research for a cure and to address the challenges of everyone affected by MS. To fulfill this mission, the Society funds cutting-edge research, drives change through advocacy, facilitates professional education, collaborates with MS organizations around the world, and provides programs and services designed to help people with MS and their families move their lives forward. We partner with volunteers to accomplish our work. Staff members engage volunteers through effective and timely communications, facilitating meaningful opportunities, and continually seeking and providing feedback for reciprocal growth and learning.

Job Summary:

The Executive Director is the lead generator of donors and sponsors and chief representative for their Chapter. This position is responsible for a high-impact portfolio focused on major gifts, corporate partnerships, peer-to-peer and event fundraising. The Executive Director also plays a central role in building and mobilizing a dynamic Board of Trustees, cultivating leadership volunteers, and convening cross-functional teams to maximize community impact and revenue.

Location Requirements

This is a market-based role supporting our Northeast Region -- Greater NYC-Long Island Chapter. The position requires regular, in-person attendance at meetings, constituent interactions, and events as well as travel as required and necessary up to approximately 50% of the work time. During the remaining time, work is conducted remotely from either a home office or a National MS Society workspace (Society workspace not provided in all geographies). 

Preferred location(s): Candidates must be based and work within New York City, NY.

Compensation | Benefits:

The estimated hiring compensation range for this role is $160,000-$180,000. Final offers will be based on the candidate's geographic location, consider career experience and may vary from this range due to these and other factors.

You will have the opportunity for a highly competitive, comprehensive benefit package that the Society provides to employees.

Your benefits include:

• Considerable Paid Time Off Plan
• Paid Holidays
• 401k Retirement Savings Plan with Society match
• Commuter Benefit Plan

Comprehensive Health & Welfare benefits including:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Flex Spending Accounts
• Life Insurance
• Disability Coverage
• Spring Health Membership offering free therapy and professional coaching, as well as additional voluntary benefit offerings.

Not to mention, you will join an incredible mission focused team of people!

Main Responsibilities:

• Serve as a market expert and generate leads organization-wide through Individual Giving, Corporate Partnerships and Foundations, Peer to Peer Fundraising Events and mission work.
• Manage volunteer leaders within chapter boards and support volunteer leaders of regional events and initiatives.
• Serve as a lead frontline fundraiser within assigned markets to help achieve the Development department revenue goals.
• Collaborate cross functionally and maintain open dialogue with colleagues by using the org. chart to resolve issues, strengthen collaboration, and support effective local and regional execution.

What We're Looking for:

• Proven nonprofit leadership experience with increasing responsibility, successfully securing 6-7 figure gifts.
• Expertise in AI, predictive analytics, and CRM tools to utilize sales pipeline automation, donor journey mapping, and forecasting donor trends, with a strong emphasis on acquiring new participants, donors and sponsors while enhancing retention to maximize fundraising success.
• Proven ability to drive innovation in community event fundraising, leveraging emerging trends, data-driven insights, and creative strategies to optimize growth and engagement.
• Experience supporting geographically dispersed teams, in remote and hybrid environments, providing coaching and mentoring to Development employees in conjunction with their supervisors.
• Strong ability to perform under pressure, handle criticism professionally, and consistently meet fundraising goals.
• Exceptional project management and negotiation skills to drive effective resource allocation and optimize fundraising outcomes.
• CRM expertise, leveraging data analytics to drive decision-making and train teams on data-driven fundraising strategies.
• Market-based role requiring 50%+ travel, attendance at all events, training, regional meetings, and organizational gatherings

We’re committed to supporting the growth of every employee through a structured and transparent approach to career development. We use Talent Portraits to define clear expectations, development opportunities, and advancement paths — whether you're growing as a people leader or deepening your expertise as an individual contributor. Each role is thoughtfully placed within one of these pathways (Leadership or Partner) to help you understand how it fits into our broader organization and your potential career journey.

This position is classified as Partner - Knowledge Leader.

The National MS Society is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We strive to create a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. We need you and your unique talents and perspectives to help us write the last chapter on MS.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

We appreciate your consideration of our job opportunities and strive to make it as effortless as possible to apply for our positions. With only a few required sections and the option to use our resume parsing tool, we aim to streamline the application experience, saving you time and effort. Additionally, if you wish to include a cover letter with your application, please feel free to attach it along with your resume, and any other documents required, to the Resume/CV document upload section at the bottom of the My Experience page. We appreciate your interest in joining our team and look forward to receiving your application!

Important: You will not be able to modify your application after you submit it. The "My Experience" page is the only opportunity to add your cover letter and supporting document attachments. If you experience any trouble submitting your materials, please check out our FAQ & Contact Us page.