Application Guide
How to Apply for Account Manager, Fire Fighter Partnerships
at Muscular Dystrophy Association
🏢 About Muscular Dystrophy Association
MDA is the nation's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to fighting neuromuscular diseases like muscular dystrophy, ALS, and spinal muscular atrophy. What makes it unique is its dual focus: funding breakthrough research and providing direct care and advocacy, all while building a diverse, high-performing team that values different backgrounds and perspectives. Working here means directly contributing to life-changing programs and being part of a community that supports families affected by these conditions.
About This Role
As an Account Manager for Fire Fighter Partnerships, you'll be the linchpin in a team responsible for cultivating and managing multi-million-dollar relationships with fire fighter organizations, most notably the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF). Your work will directly fuel MDA's mission by driving fundraising, sales, and marketing strategies that grow these partnerships. This role is impactful because you'll be on the front lines of a critical revenue stream that supports research and care for neuromuscular diseases.
💡 A Day in the Life
Your day might start with a virtual check-in with the Fire Fighter Partnerships team to align on priorities and share updates on partner outreach. Later, you could be on a call with a local fire department leader to discuss an upcoming Fill the Boot event, then analyze data to prepare a report for IAFF on partnership performance. You might also collaborate with MDA's marketing team to develop materials that resonate with fire fighter audiences, all while managing your schedule to accommodate partners in different time zones.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Muscular Dystrophy Association Is Looking For
- Proven experience in account management, sales, or fundraising, ideally within a nonprofit or healthcare-related setting, with a track record of managing large-scale partnerships.
- Deep understanding of the fire fighter community and its culture, or demonstrated ability to quickly build credibility with uniformed service groups, including knowledge of IAFF and local fire departments.
- Strong strategic thinking and relationship-building skills, with the ability to align internal teams and external partners to achieve ambitious revenue goals.
- Excellent communication and negotiation abilities, comfortable presenting to diverse stakeholders and leveraging data to drive decisions.
- Self-motivated and remote-work savvy, with the discipline to manage multiple priorities and travel as needed to meet partners.
📝 Tips for Applying to Muscular Dystrophy Association
Highlight any direct experience working with fire fighters, first responders, or uniformed services—even volunteer roles count. MDA values authentic connections to the community.
Quantify your fundraising or sales achievements in your resume, especially if you've managed partnerships worth $1M or more. Use metrics like revenue growth, retention rates, or number of partners.
Tailor your cover letter to show you understand MDA's mission and the unique role of the Fire Fighter Partnerships team. Mention specific programs like Fill the Boot or IAFF partnerships.
Demonstrate your ability to work remotely by emphasizing your self-management skills and experience collaborating across time zones with internal and external stakeholders.
If you have experience with CRM tools (e.g., Salesforce) or fundraising platforms, explicitly mention them—MDA likely uses these to track donor relationships.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
In your cover letter, emphasize your direct experience with fire fighter or first responder communities, showing you can navigate their culture and build trust. Highlight a specific instance where you grew a partnership or exceeded fundraising targets, using numbers. Connect your personal motivation to MDA's mission—why neuromuscular diseases matter to you. Finally, stress your ability to work independently and collaboratively in a remote environment, aligning with MDA's high-performing team ethos.
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Explore MDA's website, especially the Fire Fighter Partnerships section, to understand the history and impact of programs like Fill the Boot and the IAFF partnership.
- → Research the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and its structure, mission, and key initiatives to speak knowledgeably about the partnership.
- → Look up recent news about MDA's fundraising events, research breakthroughs, and advocacy wins to reference in your application and interview.
- → Check out MDA's annual report or financial statements to understand the scale of their fundraising and how the Fire Fighter Partnerships contribute to overall revenue.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Avoid generic cover letters that don't mention fire fighters or MDA's specific mission—this role requires a genuine connection to the cause and community.
- Don't focus solely on your sales skills without tying them to nonprofit fundraising; MDA needs someone who understands donor stewardship and mission-driven work.
- Avoid implying that remote work means less collaboration; emphasize your ability to proactively communicate and engage with team members and partners across geographies.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Muscular Dystrophy Association!