Executive Director (Nashville)

NMSS National Multiple Sclerosis Society • Brentwood, TN

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Executive Director is the lead fundraiser and chief representative for their Chapter, 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. This is a market-based role supporting our Southeast Region -- Kentucky, Tennessee 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 primarily 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 the Nashville, TN area.

Requirements

• 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 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.
• Field-based role requiring 50%+ travel, including events, training, regional meetings, and organizational gatherings

Nice To Haves

• Candidates must be based and work within the Nashville, TN area.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• Play a lead role in peer-to-peer fundraising event success by: Partnering with staff to recruit, coach, and recognize top fundraising teams, participants, and team captains. Collaborating with internal teams to deliver a mission-forward, exceptional event experience that builds lasting engagement and community impact. Leveraging events as platforms for identifying major gift and corporate partnership prospects. Identifying, recruiting, and supporting volunteer committee members and honorees for leadership events.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: No Education Listed