While MSIF is a relatively small organisation, its remit is highly complex and its reach is extensive. With so much being done to explore new treatment pathways, expand the debate around prevention, and carry out groundbreaking research, we have a huge opportunity to make a lasting difference to people affected by MS.
Our role – and that our CEO – is to ensure that our member organisations are able to work together to shape policy, change public debate, and boost scientific progress to prevent, treat and stop MS. We are here to create and develop opportunities for members to connect, innovate, share tools, skills and experiences, as well as to build partnerships with international research communities and health professionals or leverage our relations with the global NGO community and intergovernmental organisations to further our common goals. By definition, this means that our new CEO must possess exceptional leadership, communication, influencing, and ambassadorial skills.
Style
- Lives and breathes our core values of being collaborative, inclusive, and driven, showing a personal commitment to putting people affected by MS at the heart of everything we do, by shaping smart decisions and driving positive change.
- Demonstrates a collaborative leadership approach, with the ability to influence and shape outcomes through thoughtful engagement, and transparent decision-making which achieves alignment and forward momentum.
- Brings innovative and original thinking, a willingness to challenge the status quo.
- Possesses a naturally coaching and developmental style which is high challenge and high support.
- Is an advocate for excellence, and looks for ways to improve the organisation, the collective work of the movement, and the impact we have together on society.
- Leads with conviction, courage, and a sense of ambition which galvanises and mobilises stakeholders.
- Takes initiative to reach out and connect with key stakeholders, especially from member organisations to gain input and engagement, and to inspire trust and confidence in the plan and leadership.
Skills
- Exceptional ability to communicate and forge strong relationships with a diverse range of international stakeholders.
- Capacity and discipline to develop effective working relationships from a distance.
- Ability to communicate organisational direction and effectively facilitate and lead change via confident, well-informed decision-making.
- Ability to direct and motivate staff and volunteers and create strong relationships with a wide range of constituents.
- Exhibits strong strategic and commercial acumen, capable of aligning organisational strategies with the overall mission, vision, and commercial realities of the global movement.
- Superior communication skills and the ability to effectively present complex ideas to a wide array of audiences.
Experience
- A demonstrable track record of leadership and complex governance in a diverse environment.
- Solid understanding of the commercial realities facing a small but influential charity, with the ability to balance the pursuit of commercial sustainability with the organisation’s mission and values, including experience of diversifying income.
- Ten (10) years of progressive organisational development experience including international experience is desirable.
- Experience in an organisation with geographically dispersed operations.
- Strong business acumen including financial analysis, strategic and operational planning.
- Knowledge and experience of good governance practices and board engagement, ideally in a nonprofit environment, and of working in a productive and collegial manner with board members and leadership staff.
- A track record of working with federated or membership organisations is highly desirable.
- Knowledge of broad healthcare issues is also desirable. Similarly, while knowledge and/or experience of MS is an asset, it is not a prerequisite.
- Evidence of initiating, leading, and successfully delivering complex structural and cultural change.