Chief Scientific Officer

About LBDA

The Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA) is the leading national organization dedicated to improving the lives of those living with Lewy body dementia (LBD), their families, and care partners. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization headquartered in Georgia, LBDA’s mission is to optimize the quality of life for those affected by LBD by accelerating awareness, advancing research for early diagnosis and improved care, and providing comprehensive education and compassionate support.

Once seen as a rare disease, LBD is now considered the second most common form of neurodegenerative dementia in the elderly and affects approximately 1.4 million people in the United States alone. It accounts for more than 20% of all dementia cases\.

The Opportunity

The Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) will play a pivotal role in supporting LBDA’s mission by developing and implementing LBDA’s research strategy in alignment with the organization's mission and strategic goals. The CSO will lead LBDA’s Research Division, advance LBDA’s research priorities, oversee its research programs, foster collaborations, and drive innovation to advance the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of Lewy body dementia.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement LBDA's scientific strategy, aligning research initiatives with organizational goals.
• Provide vision for and oversight of LBDA’s research initiatives, grant awards, peer review process, and research impact assessment.
• Foster partnerships with academic institutions, research organizations, nonprofits and industry to build synergy in LBD research.
• Increase the engagement of people with LBD and care partners as research stakeholders, to ensure effective management and impactful outcomes.
• Cultivate relationships with research foundations and industry, develop proposals to support research and other initiatives, and make presentations to secure funding for high priority research initiatives.
• Cultivate relationships with federal agencies, such as the NIH to drive increases in LBD research funding and the FDA to identify opportunities and barriers to the study of treatments for LBD.
• Convene and attend conferences and scientific meetings with external research stakeholders to advance LBD research and LBDA’s strategic priorities.
• Write and collaborate on research study manuscripts on LBDA-related projects for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• Stay abreast of cutting-edge research in LBD and related diseases; identify scientific advances that should be disseminated to stakeholders, including the board of directors, donors, and the public.
• Manage the Research Division, including development and management of the annual budget, direct supervision of the Director of Scientific Initiatives and the Industry Relations Manager, and promoting a culture of excellence and collaboration.
• Lead development and management of necessary systems, processes, and tools to support efforts; maintain records and provide reports as requested.

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. or M.D in neuroscience, neurology, or a related field
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in scientific research, with a focus on neurodegenerative diseases.
• Experience in overseeing research programs, grant funding, and research impact assessments.
• Demonstrated ability to drive innovation and stay current with scientific advancements.
• 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 stakeholders together with government agencies to achieve diagnostic and therapeutic progress.
• Experience working in or with non-profit patient advocacy organizations strongly preferred.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, along with the ability to connect and communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels in various fields.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office suite
• Experience with grant management system preferred.
• Approximately 20%-30% travel required. Domestic and international air travel as well as ability to travel to meeting locations.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $225,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift

Education:

• Doctorate (Preferred)

Experience:

• scientific research, focus on neurodegenerative diseases.: 10 years (Preferred)

Work Location: Remote