Executive Director - Gateway (Missouri and Illinois)

National Multiple Sclerosis Society•St. Louis, MO

1d•$110,000 - $135,000•Hybrid

About The Position

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 Executive Director is the lead fundraiser and chief representative for the Gateway Chapter (eastern Missouri and southern Illinois), responsible for driving transformational revenue and strengthening community engagement through innovative strategies and mission-driven leadership. This position leads a high-impact portfolio focused on peer-to-peer fundraising events, major gifts, and corporate partnerships. 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. This position is ideal for a strategic, creative, and results driven leader with a passion for mission-based work and a proven track record in high-performing nonprofit fundraising and relationship management.

Requirements

Proven nonprofit leadership experience with increasing responsibility, successfully securing 7-8 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 while enhancing retention to maximize event 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.
Strong ability to perform under pressure, handle criticism professionally, and consistently meet fundraising commitments.
Exceptional project management, strategic planning, and negotiation skills to drive effective resource allocation and optimize fundraising outcomes.
Advanced CRM expertise, leveraging data analytics to drive decision-making and train teams on data-driven fundraising strategies.
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.

Responsibilities

Fundraising & Revenue Leadership: Serve as the Chapter’s executive fundraiser, directly accountable for meeting or exceeding the annual revenue budget as part of an integrated regional effort.
Manage a high-level portfolio of relationships including peer-to-peer fundraisers, major gift donors, and corporate partners through identification, cultivation, stewardship, and recognition.
Identify and develop new revenue streams with a focus on innovation and sustainability.
Play a lead role in peer-to-peer fundraising event success by: 1. Identifying, recruiting, and supporting volunteer committee members and honorees for leadership events. 2. Partnering with staff to recruit, coach, and recognize top fundraising teams, participants, and team captains. 3. Collaborating with internal teams to deliver a mission-forward, exceptional event experience that builds lasting engagement and community impact. 4. Leveraging events as platforms for identifying major gift and corporate partnership prospects.
Organize and host donor cultivation and stewardship events to elevate engagement and generate new funding opportunities.
Utilize Salesforce and other tools to analyze data and guide strategic decisions based on donor behavior, performance metrics, and key performance indicators (KPIs).
Participate in all Regional Meetings, goal- setting and collaborative opportunities to meet the regional revenue goal.
Board & Volunteer Leadership Serve as the primary liaison to the Chapter’s Board of Trustees; engage members in fundraising, strategic planning, and mission advocacy.
Recruit, onboard, and support a diverse, engaged, and high-performing Board that champions revenue growth through personal giving and network influence.
Develop and engage volunteer leaders to expand community reach and fundraising capacity.
Mission & Community Engagement Act as the Chapter’s primary spokesperson to media, community groups, donors, and program participants; represent the Society at events, programs, and public functions.
Collaborate across departments to align fundraising, programming, and advocacy strategies that support the mission and deepen community involvement.
Ensure an inclusive, meaningful, and mission-connected experience for all community members, including donors, event participants, volunteers, and individuals impacted by the mission.
Participate in national and statewide initiatives such as advocacy efforts, in-person programs, and leadership events to represent local interests and amplify mission impact.
Cross-Functional Collaboration Convene local staff to identify strategic cross-functional opportunities that enhance donor experience and connect community stakeholders to the Society’s mission.
Ensure that donor intent is honored and aligned with organizational priorities through collaborative planning and communication across functions.
Provide feedback on local staff as appropriate to support recognition, redirection, and performance management that supports high performing teams

Benefits

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

Stand Out From the Crowd

Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.

Upload and Match Resume