How to apply for Director, Cures Collective

About I AM ALS

I AM ALS is a patient-centric movement founded by Brian Wallach and Sandra Abrevaya that has redefined how advocacy, research, and policy can accelerate cures for ALS. The Cures Collective, incubated within I AM ALS, is a first-of-its-kind cross-disease collaborative uniting over 60 organizations across ALS, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, MS, FTD, and more. Working here means joining a bold, urgent mission to break down silos and drive breakthroughs for all neurodegenerative diseases.

About the role

As Director of the Cures Collective, you will lead a multi-stakeholder coalition of patient advocates, researchers, clinicians, funders, and industry partners to accelerate cures across neurodegenerative diseases. You will be responsible for setting strategic direction, managing operations, and driving collective action in public awareness, research infrastructure, and policy change. This is a high-visibility, entrepreneurial role where you will turn cross-disease collaboration from concept into measurable impact.

A typical day

A typical day might involve facilitating a virtual working group of researchers and patient advocates to define shared research priorities, then meeting with policy staff to strategize a joint advocacy campaign. You could also spend time drafting a funding proposal with industry partners, reviewing metrics for a public awareness initiative, and coordinating with I AM ALS leadership to ensure alignment. Expect a mix of high-level strategy, relationship management, and hands-on execution in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

Who I AM ALS is looking for

• Proven experience leading multi-stakeholder coalitions or collaborative initiatives in biomedical research, advocacy, or policy, ideally across neurodegenerative diseases.
• Deep understanding of the scientific, regulatory, and funding challenges shared by ALS, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, MS, and FTD, with a track record of driving cross-sector alignment.
• Exceptional relationship-building and facilitation skills, with the ability to engage and mobilize diverse stakeholders including patients, researchers, funders, and industry.
• Strategic thinker and operational executor who can translate a bold vision into actionable plans, metrics, and outcomes in a fast-paced, remote environment.

Tips for this application

• Emphasize your experience working across multiple neurodegenerative diseases or in cross-disease initiatives, highlighting specific outcomes like policy wins, research collaborations, or funding alignment.
• Demonstrate familiarity with the Cures Collective's model and I AM ALS's patient-centric approach by referencing their founding story, key campaigns, or recent milestones in your application.
• Show your ability to lead in a remote, coalition-based environment by describing how you've managed virtual teams, facilitated multi-partner meetings, and maintained momentum without hierarchical control.
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight coalition-building, not just program management—use language that reflects collaboration, consensus-building, and shared leadership.
• If you have personal or professional connections to the neurodegenerative disease community, mention them authentically; I AM ALS values lived experience and patient-centeredness.

What to cover in your cover letter

Your cover letter should articulate why cross-disease collaboration is the key to curing neurodegeneration, using concrete examples from your past work. Highlight your ability to convene and align diverse stakeholders around a shared agenda, and show that you understand the unique barriers (regulatory, funding, awareness) that the Cures Collective aims to overcome. Finally, convey your passion for I AM ALS's urgent, patient-driven mission and your readiness to lead a coalition that demands both strategic vision and hands-on execution.

Research before applying

• Study the Cures Collective's founding principles, member organizations, and any public reports or press releases to understand its current priorities and gaps.
• Learn about I AM ALS's history, including Brian Wallach and Sandra Abrevaya's story, key legislative wins (e.g., ACT for ALS), and its patient-centric advocacy model.
• Research the landscape of neurodegenerative disease advocacy, including major funders, regulatory hurdles (e.g., FDA pathways), and recent cross-disease initiatives to identify opportunities and challenges.
• Explore the science of neurodegeneration to grasp shared biological mechanisms and why cross-disease collaboration is scientifically compelling.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How would you approach aligning the diverse priorities of over 60 member organizations while maintaining momentum toward shared goals?
• What specific strategies would you use to break down research and funding silos across neurodegenerative diseases?
• Can you describe a time when you successfully influenced policy or regulatory change through a coalition? What was your approach?
• How would you measure the success of the Cures Collective in its first year under your leadership?
• Given the remote nature of this role, how would you build trust and foster collaboration among stakeholders who may never meet in person?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Focusing only on ALS or a single disease in your application, which signals a lack of cross-disease perspective critical for this role.
• Using generic coalition-building language without concrete examples of how you've aligned diverse stakeholders or achieved collective impact.
• Overlooking the patient-centric ethos of I AM ALS—applicants who prioritize organizational or academic interests over patient urgency may be seen as misaligned.