Role Description Reporting to the President & CEO, the Chief Mission Officer (CMO) serves as a key member of the senior leadership team and is responsible for advancing the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s mission through strategic leadership of Care, Community Engagement, Advocacy, Research and mission-aligned external partnerships. The CMO is MDA’s senior executive voice for mission strategy and impact, translating the organization’s strategic plan into coordinated programs, measurable outcomes, and a more visible, influential role for MDA in the neuromuscular disease field. This executive must bring credibility for interactions with clinicians, researchers, patient advocates, policymakers, donors, and biopharma partners. The CMO will help position MDA as a trusted convener, thought leader, and strategic partner in improving clinical care, strengthening the neuromuscular workforce, advancing patient-centered research and care models, and ensuring that the lived experience of individuals and families informs decision-making across the organization. The CMO provides direction, oversight, and evaluation across Care, Community Engagement, Advocacy and Research, while working closely with Healthcare Partnerships and other organization departments to reduce silos and align MDA’s work around the full patient journey. Qualifications - Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree strongly preferred in public health, healthcare administration, medicine, nursing, genetic counseling, social work, rehabilitation, nonprofit leadership, business administration, public policy, or a related field. - Minimum 10+ years of senior leadership experience in mission-driven, healthcare, voluntary health, rare disease, disability, patient advocacy, biopharma, research or complex service organizations. - Demonstrated expertise in clinical care strategy, patient advocacy, community engagement, healthcare delivery ecosystems, program development, and cross-functional leadership. - Credibility with clinicians, researchers, patient advocates, policymakers, donors, and/or biopharma partners; experience serving as an external spokesperson, convener, or thought leader preferred. - Familiarity with rare disease, neuromuscular disease, gene therapy, clinical trials, patient-centered research, registries, care center networks, access issues, or biopharma partnerships strongly preferred. - Experience developing, managing, and evaluating budgets, strategic plans, team goals, and mission impact metrics. - Exceptional oral and written communication skills, including the ability to translate complex clinical, scientific, policy, or community issues for diverse audiences. - High emotional intelligence and the ability to build trust, influence without excessive reliance on authority, and work cross-functionally with numerous colleagues and external stakeholders. - Ability to proactively identify issues, solve problems independently, manage workflows from start to finish, and make sound decisions in a fast-moving environment. - Demonstrated commitment to MDA’s mission of improving care, independence, access, community connection, and therapeutic options for people living with neuromuscular disease. Requirements - Serve as a strategic advisor to the President & CEO, Executive Leadership Team, and Board of Directors on mission delivery, clinical care trends, community needs, public policy, industry dynamics, and organizational impact. - Lead the integration of MDA's mission strategy across the organization by reducing silos, fostering collaboration, and aligning programs, services, messaging, and constituent engagement around the patient and family journey. - Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, accountability, inclusion, and community-centered decision-making. - Provide regular updates to executive leadership and Board committees on mission performance, strategic initiatives, community impact, emerging opportunities, and organizational risks. - Translate MDA's strategic plan into actionable operating priorities, cross-functional initiatives, and measurable outcomes. - Provide executive leadership, strategic direction, and oversight for MDA's four mission pillars, ensuring the operation of an integrated strategy that advances the organization's mission and long-term strategic plan. - Support patient-centered research, scientific collaboration, clinical trial readiness, registries, and initiatives that advance the neuromuscular field. - Strengthen MDA's Care Center Network, improve access to high-quality care, advance care coordination, workforce development, care quality, and readiness for emerging therapies. - Expand programs and services that foster engagement, connection, independence, and quality of life while ensuring the voices and lived experiences of individuals and families inform organizational priorities. - Support public policy initiatives, coalition building, healthcare access, and systems-level change that improve outcomes for the neuromuscular community. - Serve as a senior spokesperson and ambassador for MDA on the organization’s overarching mission approach and vision at conferences, policy forums, coalition meetings, media opportunities, donor events, industry convenings, and community programs. - Champion the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of innovative programs and services that improve access to care, independence, connection, and health outcomes for individuals living with neuromuscular disease. Benefits - Medical, Dental and Vision insurance - Health Savings Account with contribution matching and Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and/or dependent care - Paid sick leave - Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - 100% contribution towards basic life insurance, short-term and long-term disability - Optional additional life insurance and dependent life insurance available - 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan with company match - Generous paid time off policy, with an increasing accrual rate schedule - Paid holidays - Standard 35-hour work week with flexible hours - Remote, work from home opportunities - Professional learning and development opportunities