AFTD seeks a visionary, strategic science professional to join a growing team and drive collaborative initiatives that will produce the first approved therapeutics for FTD, the most common form of dementia under 60. 

AFTD was founded by a volunteer in 2002. Empowering families to bring about change and make a difference in the lives of others in their communities is central to everything we do. We raise awareness to tell the world about this devastating, little known disease. We educate health professionals, helping them to provide accurate diagnosis and responsive care in their communities. We fund leading-edge science and work with partners in biopharma, government, and peer nonprofits to advance research. 

Currently there are no biomarkers for FTD, and no approved therapies. Official diagnosis must wait until autopsy. However, in recent years FTD science has made key gains, informing basic understanding across proteinopathy-associated neurodegenerative diseases. This new AFTD staff position reflects both the progress of FTD research into diagnostic and therapeutic development, and AFTD’s growth as a dynamic organization, operating as the hub of a community of persons diagnosed, families, healthcare professionals who provide help and support for today, and researchers and volunteers who collaborate to provide hope for tomorrow.

The Sr. Director of Scientific Initiatives (SDSI) will be a key partner to the CEO, responsible for providing strategic vision and leadership that ensures AFTD’s approach to basic, translational, and clinical science integrates into a cohesive and innovative scientific business plan.  They will bring or develop a sufficient understanding of the current state of FTD research in order to identify gaps and opportunities that fall within AFTD’s mission, and will work with staff to develop, implement, and evaluate projects to address these areas. They will be accountable for strategy and operations of the FTD Disorders Registry, working closely with the Registry Director to analyze, enhance, and ensure effective technology infrastructure to support and cultivate new opportunities that will maximize the Registry’s role in advancing FTD translational science and clinical research. The SDSI will be responsible for representing AFTD externally in a growing number of professional meetings, symposia, and other scientific and research venues. They will provide strategic leadership and management of the Research Department and will serve on AFTD’s leadership team.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential Job Functions

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and lead business strategies that enable partnership opportunities with biopharma; craft and lead an overarching, cohesive strategy for all AFTD research investments that leverage the organization’s finite financial resources.
• Relationship Building: Collaborate with internal AFTD leadership team to engage industry, government and nonprofit stakeholders to establish relationships that advance FTD clinical science; cultivate and manage relationships throughout the business and regulatory communities in pursuit of AFTD’s goals.
• Registry Development: Identify and cultivate business opportunities and relationships with the FTD Disorders Registry, enhancing its visibility and standing in the global clinical scientific community. Partner with FTD Disorders Registry Director to establish strategic, business and sustainability plans to achieve organizational goals.
• Departmental Management: Manage AFTD’s Research Department budget, planning, staffing, performance reviews and professional development of department members.

Other Job Functions

• As a member of the leadership team, contribute expert knowledge in support of quality decisions regarding internal planning and AFTD’s overall strategic direction.
• In partnership with identified stakeholders, lead the effort to collaborate with the FDA in pursuit of well-defined outcome measures and innovative trial designs to support successful FTD clinical studies.
• Lead AFTD’s programs that fund and promote FTD clinical studies, including TreatFTD and the Diagnostics Accelerator.
• Enhance and leverage AFTD visibility as an international patient advocacy organization and research funder.
• Collaborate and, where possible, lead efforts in pursuit of data sharing across all stakeholders.
• Lead strategic development and management of AFTD’s Medical Advisory Council and other science-related advisory panels.
• Foster and promote a culture of high performance, continuous improvement, and learning through ongoing professional development, mentoring, and collaboration.
• Consult and share insights with AFTD program and communications staff as they create, tailor, and market educational programs that bring the patient and family perspective to industry and government partners.

• M.D., Ph.D., MBA or equivalent advanced degree, ideally related to neuroscience
• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible scientific and/or business development experience, preferably in neurodegeneration or rare diseases
• Proven experience as a leader of complex, multi-stakeholder research initiatives with a demonstrated ability to envision, design, and manage such initiatives
• Strong, current working knowledge of the pharmaceutical/biopharma industry and drug development and regulatory process
• Proven track record in cultivating and managing key relationships and consortia, bringing academic and corporate science together with government agencies to achieve diagnostic and therapeutic progress
• Deep critical thinking and structured problem-solving/analysis skills with ability to develop frameworks for evaluating and recommending cross-functional options and solutions
• Demonstrated business acumen, especially in setting priorities, creating efficiencies, leveraging opportunities, and developing plans to define and achieve success
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, along with the ability to connect and communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels in various fields
• Experience working in or with non-profit organizations strongly preferred
• Travel requirements = approximately 25%
• Domestic air travel as well as a valid driver’s license and ability to drive to meeting locations

Our preference is for an office-based candidate; however, remote is an option for qualified candidates.

AFTD is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

All of your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

If you are interested in learning more about this unique opportunity, please submit your cover letter and CV. Only applications with a cover letter will be considered.