Director of Fundraising, Endurance Events

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to mobilizing people and resources to drive groundbreaking research for a cure and to address the challenges faced by everyone affected by multiple sclerosis (MS). With a focus on funding cutting-edge research, the Society actively advocates for change, provides professional education, and collaborates with MS organizations worldwide. The mission extends beyond research, offering comprehensive programs and services designed to support people living with MS and their families, helping them to move their lives forward. This organization values its partnerships with volunteers, engaging them through effective communications, meaningful opportunities, and continuous reciprocal feedback to promote growth and learning. As a well-respected entity in the nonprofit sector, the National MS Society is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce and strives to create an environment where every employee can bring their authentic selves to work, contributing unique talents and perspectives to help write the last chapter on MS.

The Director of Endurance Events is a critical leadership role within the Society, responsible for leading the execution of market-based Endurance campaigns, notably Bike MS—a 1- and 2-day cycling series—and Challenge Walk MS, a 3-day walking event. This position serves as the senior fundraiser in the designated West Region, covering Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming chapters. The primary responsibility is to achieve revenue goals by cultivating donors, activating teams and participants, and enhancing overall campaign performance. While this role does not include direct people management, the Director sets the pace and fundraising standards, partnering with the Associate Vice President (AVP) and coordinating efforts across the regional team to ensure outstanding donor experiences and fundraising results. This structure supports strategic leadership and collaboration, allowing more scalable management models across regions.

This position requires a market-based presence, with regular and extensive in-person attendance at meetings, constituent interactions, and events. Travel can account for up to 50 percent of the work time, with the remainder conducted remotely from a home office or a National MS Society workspace when available. Preferred locations include Salt Lake City, Utah. The role offers a competitive salary range of $70,000 to $79,000, which may vary based on geography and experience. Alongside the salary, employees receive a comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, paid holidays, a 401k plan with Society match, commuter benefits, and extensive health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, disability coverage, and access to mental health support via Spring Health membership.

The Director will drive revenue growth and meet campaign fundraising goals by strategically engaging top fundraisers, team captains, sponsors, and donors for the Society's Endurance Event campaigns. They will lead high-impact activities that increase participation, retention, local sponsorship, and fundraising totals. Another vital responsibility is customizing and implementing national fundraising strategies to fit the local context, aligning with regional objectives and donor preferences. The role demands regular reporting on progress and risks, as well as collaboration with the AVP to adjust campaign execution as required. The Director fosters cross-team alignment by coordinating frontline fundraising activity, supporting peer fundraisers, and ensuring accountability. Utilizing CRM platforms like Raiser’s Edge and Salesforce, and campaign dashboards, the Director continually analyzes performance metrics to improve fundraising tactics.

Ideal candidates will have four or more years of progressive experience in fundraising, donor relations, or nonprofit development, demonstrating a track record of exceeding fundraising targets. Proven success in managing donor pipelines, cultivating major gifts, and executing multi-channel campaigns is essential. Strong leadership, project management abilities, and experience coordinating the efforts of staff or volunteers are highly valued. Proficiency with CRM systems and data analysis tools is required to inform strategies and generate reports. Excellent communication skills are necessary to engage and inspire a variety of stakeholders, including donors and board members. Furthermore, strategic thinking skills are crucial for developing and implementing long-term fundraising plans aligned with organizational goals. Experience in planning events, stewardship programs, and grant proposals is also desirable.

The National MS Society supports professional growth through a structured career development approach called Talent Portraits, designed to define clear expectations, development opportunities, and advancement paths. This role is classified under the Partner - Knowledge Expert pathway, emphasizing individual expertise and leadership without direct managerial duties. The Society is dedicated to building a workforce that reflects the communities they serve and where diversity and inclusion are central to their culture, inviting candidates to bring their unique perspectives to help end MS.