Executive Director

FOUNDATION OVERVIEW 

The Mesothelioma Applied
Research Foundation (Meso Foundation) is the nonprofit
collaboration of patients and families, physicians, advocates, and
researchers dedicated to eradicating the life-ending and vicious
effects of mesothelioma.  We offer medical information, hope
and support to mesothelioma patients and families, fund the highest
quality and most promising research projects from around the world,
raise awareness of the disease, and advocate that the public and
private sectors partner in the effort to cure it. 

OUR MISSION:

The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation is the nonprofit
collaboration of patients and families, physicians, advocates, and
researchers dedicated to eradicating the life-ending and vicious
effects of mesothelioma. We believe in a cure for meso. Given the
human toll of suffering the disease causes, the compassion and
energy of the meso community, the moral, legal and economic aspects
of asbestos, and the benefits of meso research to cancer research
generally, we believe that the resources to accomplish this cure
are available and must be mobilized. We seek to marshal and utilize
these resources responsibly, as effectively as possible, with
financial transparency and by adhering to health policy guidelines
that foster ethical clinical and administrative practices, and
ethical decision making to:

Offer hope and support to patients
and families by educating them on the disease, helping them to
obtain the most up-to-date information on treatment options and to
connect with meso treatment specialists, and providing them
assistance, emotional support and community with others;
Fund the highest quality and most
promising meso research projects from around the world through
rigorous peer-review; and
Raise awareness of meso, and advocate
that the public and private sectors partner in the effort to cure
it by directing the resources needed to stop this global
tragedy.

POSITION: Executive Director 

The Executive Director position with the Meso Foundation is a
full-time, exempt role. The Executive Director reports directly to
the Board of Directors and is responsible for the management and
executive leadership for a five-member, remote staff
team. 

The ideal candidate will have the capacity to cast a bold vision
for what’s possible in the Meso Foundation’s next phase. They will
have a passion for sharing the Meso Foundation’s mission and
vision, using data and evidence-based campaigns to support the
growth and success of the organization. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Strategic Leadership and Organizational Management

Ensure that the activities of the
Meso Foundation are in support of its mission, in alignment with
its policies and make progress towards its long-range
strategies. 
Along with the Board of Directors,
create and execute a mission-centric organizational strategic plan
to direct the activities of the foundation.  
Facilitate the development and
approval of an annual budget to meet the needs of the
organization.
Provide leadership on all human
resource matters for Foundation staff, including the availability
of professional development, establishment of organizational
culture and teambuilding, and oversight of all available benefits,
policies, and evaluation systems. 

Board Governance

Develop and sustain strong working
relationships with each member of the Foundation’s Board of
Directors.
Work with the designated officer(s)
on the Board of Directors to maintain a pipeline of prospective new
board candidates.
Provide timely reports to the
Foundation’s Board of Directors about the organization’s
activities.
Ensure the Board of Directors is in
compliance with organizational by-laws. 

 Fundraising and Network-Building

Ensure the Foundation’s annual
revenue goals are achieved through sustainable income
sources. 
Identify potential donors and prepare
them for contact with the fundraising/development team.
Cultivate personal relationships with
patients and families in order to build the meso community and
cultivate individuals with personal connections to the mission to
become major gift donors and volunteers.
Serve as the external face and most
public champion of the Meso Foundation for a wide range of
stakeholders, paying special attention to the reputation and
integrity of the organization and its work. 
Facilitate the process for patients
and caregivers to transition to volunteers and
advocates. 
Cultivate relationships with doctors,
nurses and social workers, making sure that all people engaging
with and treating mesothelioma patients are aware of the Meso
Foundation and utilizing its programs and services.

Communications:

Maintain understanding of the Meso
community, its constituents and their needs;  Spearhead the
evaluation of current offerings and enlist new aspects and/or
innovative program updates to best serve our medical and patient
support efforts. 
Develop vision for organization’s
communication strategy; In partnership with staff, ensure
development of content of newsletter, website, symposium,
solicitations, etc. supports that vision. 

Leadership for Advocacy, Grants, and the Science
Community 

Communicate regularly, one-on-one and
collectively, with doctors and researchers, especially those on the
Foundation’s Board of Directors, Science Advisory Board, and/or and
those who have received grant funding from the Foundation.
Ensure the Foundation maintains a
reputation of being the go-to source for resources and provides
access to the most current events and news in meso science and
treatment through its digital media platforms. 
Provide executive leadership for the
Grants Support Director and the Foundation’s research grant program
and provide appropriate oversight to ensure that it remains a
peer-reviewed program.
Lead advocacy efforts on state and
federal levels by leading efforts to cultivate relationships with
lawmakers and other governmental representatives and maintaining
knowledge about bills that are relevant to the meso
community. 

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS

3-5 years of experience in an
executive leadership role, preferably in a health-related
organization. 
A leadership style that is
collaborative, inclusive, transparent, and decisive.
Understanding of research grantmaking
procedures to ensure integrity of process and
stewardship. 
Demonstrated success working and
managing a staff team in a work-from-home, remote
environment.  
Excellent interpersonal skills;
strong oral and written communications and the ability to move
comfortably in public forums and present Foundation’s vision and
mission to diverse audiences.
Successful fundraising experience
with financial management,  budget development and nonprofit
fundraising.  
Strong understanding of nonprofit
administration including board development and
management. 
Passion for mission of organization
and the medical community serving patients and families affected by
Mesothelioma. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Remote, work-from-home environment. Candidate should be located
east of the Mississippi River or comfortable operating business
hours within the Central and Eastern time zones.
Annual travel is required to 2 to 4 national and international
conferences as well as visits to key sponsors and donors as needed.
This position is full-time, exempt with a typical 40-hour work
week. Flex time is available to meet the specific needs of the
position. 

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Annual salary is $145,000, commensurate with experience, with
the possibility for an annual bonus.
Full-time employees are eligible for a benefits package that
includes insurance, the opportunity to participate in the
Foundation’s 403(b) retirement plan which includes a contribution
match, 12 paid holidays, and 12 days of PTO. 

HOW TO APPLY

If this opportunity excites you, email a resumé and cover letter
expanding on your interest and qualifications to [email protected].
Applications received by Friday, April 19 will be considered. No
calls or in-person application submissions.