Application Guide

How to Apply for Executive Director

at Narcolepsy Network

🏢 About Narcolepsy Network

Narcolepsy Network is the pioneering nonprofit in the U.S. sleep disorder space, having served patients with narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia for nearly 40 years. What makes this organization unique is its dual focus on direct patient advocacy and systemic health policy influence, creating meaningful impact through community building, trusted educational resources, and partnerships across the healthcare ecosystem.

About This Role

As Executive Director, you'll provide day-to-day leadership for this lean nonprofit, ensuring operational continuity while implementing the 2026 operating plan in collaboration with the Board. This role is impactful because you'll directly shape how the organization serves patients through educational programming, community events, and stakeholder relationships, making tangible differences in the lives of those with rare sleep disorders.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve reviewing financial reports and operational metrics, collaborating with the Board on strategic initiatives, overseeing educational content development for patients, and engaging with pharmaceutical partners or clinicians to advance advocacy goals. You'll balance administrative oversight with community-focused programming while maintaining the organization's steady operational rhythm.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who Narcolepsy Network Is Looking For

  • Has 5-10+ years of nonprofit leadership experience specifically in resource-constrained environments where efficiency and simplicity are paramount
  • Demonstrates direct experience with patient communities, health advocacy, or rare disease organizations (not just general healthcare)
  • Possesses proven ability to create and maintain streamlined operational systems without unnecessary complexity
  • Shows evidence of building trust and clear communication across diverse stakeholders including patients, clinicians, pharmaceutical partners, and peer organizations

📝 Tips for Applying to Narcolepsy Network

1

Quantify your experience with 'lean' nonprofits - specifically mention budget sizes, team sizes, and how you maximized limited resources

2

Highlight any direct experience with sleep disorders, rare diseases, or patient advocacy organizations (even if volunteer-based)

3

Demonstrate your understanding of the 2026 operating plan by suggesting 1-2 specific ways you'd approach its implementation

4

Showcase your stakeholder management skills with examples involving pharmaceutical companies, clinicians, and patients simultaneously

5

Provide concrete examples of how you've simplified complex systems or processes in previous roles

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific experience leading lean nonprofits and managing tight operational systems', 'Direct work with patient communities or rare disease advocacy (emphasize empathy and understanding of patient needs)', 'Examples of successful stakeholder relationship building across the healthcare ecosystem', 'Your approach to collaborating with a Board of Directors to implement strategic plans']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review Narcolepsy Network's 2026 operating plan (if publicly available) and recent annual reports
  • → Study the organization's current educational programs, webinars, and online community platforms
  • → Research key pharmaceutical partners in the narcolepsy treatment space and current health policy issues affecting sleep disorder patients
  • → Explore the experiences of narcolepsy patients through the organization's resources to understand community needs
Visit Narcolepsy Network's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you balance day-to-day operational management with implementing the 2026 operating plan?
2 Describe your experience working with pharmaceutical partners in a nonprofit context - how do you maintain independence while fostering collaboration?
3 What specific strategies would you use to build community among geographically dispersed patients with narcolepsy?
4 How have you previously simplified complex systems or processes in a resource-constrained environment?
5 How would you measure the impact of educational programming and community events for patients with rare sleep disorders?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on large nonprofit experience without demonstrating ability to work in lean, resource-constrained environments
  • Using generic healthcare experience without showing specific understanding of patient advocacy or rare disease communities
  • Overcomplicating solutions or proposing complex systems that don't align with the organization's need for 'tight, steady systems'

📅 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:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Narcolepsy Network!

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