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. The Senior Director of Foundation Relations is a leadership role within our Development team, leading efforts to secure transformational gifts from diverse foundations. Reporting to the AVP, Corporate and Foundation Relations, this position leads a team responsible for driving foundation revenue across the Society. The ideal candidate will be a visionary leader with a proven track record in securing major foundation grants and fostering long-term partnerships. Key responsibilities include developing and executing comprehensive strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward family, private, public, and corporate foundations. This role demands exceptional relationship-building skills, the ability to align philanthropic opportunities with organizational priorities, and a talent for articulating the Society's impact to foundation stakeholders. The Senior Director will collaborate across departments and play an integral part in advancing our mission through strategic foundation partnerships. Essential Function/Responsibility (List % of Time) Strategic Direction and Management (60%) + Lead the Foundation Relations program aligning revenue goals with the Society’s objectives building strategies to expand foundation revenue across priority funding areas. + Develop vision, strategies and direction to expand foundation support across to achieve ambitious revenue goals in alignment with the Society’s strategic plan. + Leverage industry expertise and insight to develop foundation fundraising strategies, collaborating extensively with Development and cross-functional Society leadership. + Produce and provide guidance on best-in-class grant resources and procedures setting the standard for success and best practices for submissions and foundation relationships. + Strategically align the Society’s funding framework, ensuring integration of strategies that maximize impact. + Ensure comprehensive moves management strategy that optimizes both individual and team pipelines. + Empower team members through targeted professional development, driving performance excellence and creating a culture of continuous growth. Foundation Lead Generation and Relationship Management (30%) + Lead prospecting strategies that identify and cultivate high-impact partnerships, strategically advancing our mission. + Develop strategy to further integrate foundation giving into the overall National MS Society fundraising strategy. + Manage an individual portfolio to achieve revenue goals, building a robust pipeline for significant growth and long-term success. + Maintain excellent collaborative relationships with various colleagues across the organization including executive and market leadership to identify and engage promising major gift foundation leads, with an emphasis on 7-figure+ gifts. + Establish relationship management teams for high-capacity relationships within the portfolio and deploy teams as appropriate to engage foundation leaders and decision makers so that the Society is well positioned to compete for grant funding and deliver exceptional stewardship. + Ensure interactions with foundation prospects and donors are thoughtfully prepared and lead pre-meeting briefings with staff and volunteer leadership. + Orchestrate key staff stakeholders/experts across Society leadership, Donor Experience, Marketing, Programs and Support, Advocacy, and Research to develop compelling proposals that help advance priority initiatives. + Maintain an appropriate level of understanding of multiple sclerosis and be thoroughly familiar with the Society’s programs, initiatives, and funding priorities. Fiscal Responsibility (10%) + In collaboration with AVP, Corporate and Foundation relations determine annual budget and revenue targets. + Meet or exceed agreed upon annual revenue and key activity metric goals and have comfort with monthly and quarterly measurement toward these goals. + Other duties as assigned Staff Supervision: (10%) + Responsible for the hiring, onboarding, and continued development of direct reports + Conduct regular check-ins to monitor progress, provide feedback, and offer guidance and support where needed to ensure staff is fully supported in their role + Ensures staff have the tools, knowledge, and resources necessary to perform job duties effectively as well as opportunities for professional development + Coach and collaborate on goal-setting and professional development plans and conduct formal and informal performance conversations + Hold staff accountable to the cultural values of the organization and ensure they follow Society operating principles + Lead a high performing virtual team with trust, clarity, shared goals, and celebrated wins. Minimum Experience/Skills/Competencies Required + Minimum 6+ years’ progressive fundraising experience with foundations, including at least 3 years supervising development staff. Experience demonstrates the ability to grow a foundation revenue program with a track record for closing gifts and articulating a case for funding. Preferred prior experience leading a foundation relations team for health nonprofits or other fields such as academic, healthcare, community and/or related organizations. + Proven ability to lead teams to identify new foundation prospects, build and maintain strong relationships with foundations and develop strategies for cultivation and stewardship. Identify, assess, and analyze specific areas of interest and level of potential engagement with the Society. + Must be resourceful and anticipatory of the needs of a growing Foundation fundraising program. Entrepreneurial with a keen understanding of the opportunity to expand revenue for the Society. Knowledge of industry standards, current trends, and best practices. + Outstanding organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines within a fast-paced, collaborative environment. + Experience managing a team of fundraisers or grant writers; m onitori ng proposal deadlines and submissions, working with a variety of staff teams to ensure proper handling of proposals, grants, and reports. + Exceptional interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate effectively and professionally with Society leadership and board members to build productive relationships with foundations. + Excellent written and verbal presentation skills, and the proven ability to synthesize and accurately present relevant information to donors, while documenting all substantive contacts in Salesforce. Technical/Other + Experience with Salesforce (preferred) or equivalent CRM database. + Ability to create and utilize donor prospecting and management tools such as iWave, moves management, donor briefing documents, etc. + Strong computer skills: MS Office XP – Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Database/Reporting tools, Outlook and Internet. + Ability to use Microsoft Teams or equivalent and lead web-based presentations. + CFRE a plus Compensation & Benefits Info: Estimated hiring compensation range for this role is $82,000- $102,000 based on our average compensation schedule. Final offers will be based on candidate geographic location and consider career experience and may vary from this range due to these and other factors. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society provides a highly competitive, comprehensive benefit package to employees. These benefits include a considerable Paid Time Off Plan; Paid Holidays; 401k Retirement Savings Plan with Society match; Educational Reimbursement Plan; Professional Development Assistance; Commuter Benefit Plan; Flexible Work Arrangement Options; Comprehensive Health & Welfare benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Flex Spending Accounts, Life Insurance, Disability Coverage, Life Assistance Plan as well as additional voluntary benefit offerings. The Society has a career framework that is our foundation of a clear, consistent structure for growth and careers. It is comprised of career bands and career levels, as well as functions and disciplines, that together, capture the Society’s positions and work. This position is in the Management career band and a level of (M2). #LI-Remote 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: Please check the job posting to see if a Cover Letter or any other documents are required for the position you are applying to. 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 (https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Helpful-Links/Contact-Us/Careers) .