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About Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA)

Established in 1952, the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) is the only nationwide organization solely dedicated to serving people affected by Myasthenia Gravis and related disorders. MGFA supports patients, caregivers, clinicians, researchers, volunteers, and partners through programs, education, advocacy, and research investment—working toward a world without MG.

 

Position Summary

MGFA is seeking a seasoned, visionary research leader to serve as Vice President, Research & Clinical Development. This executive role is responsible for owning MGFA’s research strategy end to end—from scientific vision and portfolio governance to ecosystem partnerships and translation of discovery into patient-relevant impact.

 

Reporting directly to the President & CEO, the VP of Research & Clinical Development serves as MGFA’s senior scientific authority and research executive, accountable for defining priorities, stewarding investments, and ensuring the highest standards of rigor, ethics, and impact. This role partners closely with the Board of Directors and Medical & Scientific Advisory Council (MSAC), while leading internal research operations and representing MGFA externally as a credible, trusted research funder and convener.

 

This is not a program management role. It is a strategic, enterprise-level leadership position designed for an individual who can set direction, exercise judgment, and lead research with confidence in a lean, mission-driven organization.

 

The Vice President, Research & Clinical Development exists to:

• Define and advance MGFA’s long-term research vision
• Ensure scientific excellence, integrity, and governance across the research portfolio
• Translate research investments into meaningful outcomes for patients
• Position MGFA as a respected leader within the global MG research ecosystem

Position Duties and Responsibilities

1. Research Strategy & Vision (Executive Ownership)

• Establish and own MGFA’s multi-year research strategy in alignment with organizational goals and patient needs
• Identify scientific gaps, emerging opportunities, and priority investment areas within MG and related neuromuscular disorders
• Serve as the primary research thought partner to the CEO and Board
• Translate complex scientific concepts into clear strategic recommendations for leadership and governance bodies

2. Research Portfolio Leadership & Governance

• Maintain full accountability for MGFA’s research funding portfolio, including grants, awards, and collaborative initiatives
• Ensure rigorous peer review, evaluation, and governance processes are consistently applied
• Define success metrics tied to scientific progress, translational potential, and patient impact
• Regularly assess portfolio performance and make evidence-based recommendations to evolve priorities

3. Scientific Advisory Partnership & Integrity

• Serve as the executive partner to the Medical & Scientific Advisory Council (MSAC)
• Ensure scientific expertise meaningfully informs strategy, funding decisions, and external positioning
• Uphold the highest standards of scientific integrity, ethics, transparency, and independence
• Navigate potential conflicts of interest with clarity and judgment

4. External Leadership & Ecosystem Engagement

• Represent MGFA as a credible scientific leader with researchers, clinicians, funders, and industry partners
• Cultivate strategic relationships with academic institutions, research networks, and peer organizations
• Support responsible collaborations that accelerate impact while safeguarding MGFA’s mission and credibility
• Elevate MGFA’s research voice within the rare disease and neuromuscular communities

5. Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop the National Director, Global Research Operations
• Set clear expectations, provide regular feedback, and support professional growth
• Build a high-performing, accountable research function aligned to strategy and values

6. Financial Stewardship & Cross-Functional Partnership

• Oversee research budgets and resource allocation in partnership with Finance
• Ensure research investments are aligned to strategic priorities and fiscal responsibility
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Development and Communications as a subject-matter expert (not a fundraising owner)
• Provide scientific insight that strengthens storytelling, donor confidence, and organizational credibility

Candidate Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in public health, policy, business, or a related field is preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership in research, life sciences, healthcare, or health-focused nonprofit organizations
• Demonstrated experience owning research strategy, funding priorities, or scientific portfolios
• Experience working with Boards, scientific advisory bodies, or governance councils
• Strong understanding of translational research and pathways from discovery to patient impact

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within nonprofit, advocacy, or mission-driven research environments
• Familiarity with rare disease, neuromuscular, or adjacent research ecosystems
• Experience engaging diverse stakeholders across academia, industry, and patient communities

Skills & Attributes

• Executive-level strategic thinker with strong judgment and decision-making capability
• Able to operate independently while partnering effectively with senior leadership
• Exceptional communicator who can translate science for non-scientific audiences
• High integrity, credibility, and comfort navigating ambiguity
• Collaborative, low-ego leader with an enterprise mindset

What We Offer

MGFA considers a wide range of factors to determine a compensation package, including, but not limited to, skill sets, relevant experience, and training. The salary range is $175,000 - $185,000 per year plus competitive benefits.

 

Comprehensive Benefits Package:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance coverage
• 401(k) retirement plan with 3% employer match
• Remote-first work environment with flexible scheduling
• Professional development opportunities and conference attendance
• Generous paid time off and holidays
• Direct connection to meaningful patient advocacy work
• Collaborative, mission-driven organizational culture
• Positive Work-life integration in a supportive, smaller organizational environment

 

MGFA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All aspects of employment, including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

Don't meet every requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At MGFA, we're committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace with a tangible sense of belonging for all our people.

 

POLICY ON PLACEMENT AND RECRUITING

The Batten Group is an equal opportunity employer committed to the principles of non-discrimination in the workplace. Under this agreement, candidates will not be discriminated against on the basis of age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, marital status, or any other basis that is prohibited by federal, state, or local law.