NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS SAN MATEO COUNTY (NAMI SMC)
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

 
 

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE MUST RESIDE FULL-TIME IN THE BAY AREA AND WILL WORK FROM THE SAN MATEO, CA OFFICE THREE DAYS PER WEEK.

ABOUT NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS SAN MATEO COUNTY (NAMI SMC) 

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is America’s largest nonprofit organization serving families and individuals whose lives have been affected by mental illness. NAMI advocates for lives of quality and respect, without discrimination and stigma, for all its constituents. 

Five percent of U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year and over 15% of U.S. youth experience a mental illness each year. On a national level, NAMI is a leading advocate for improved understanding and treatment of these mental health challenges.  With branches in every state and over 600 local affiliates, NAMI offers a variety of community services free of charge:  classes and support groups for families and individuals struggling with mental health issues, informational programs in schools and hospitals, and advocacy at the national, and local levels.   

The National Alliance on Mental Illness of San Mateo County (NAMI SMC) was one of the founding affiliates of NAMI National, having begun in 1974 when a group of local parents got together around a kitchen table to see how they could help their adult children who were struggling with serious mental illness. Five years later, this group joined other grassroots advocacy efforts to become the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Fifty years later, the need for mental health services has only grown. In California, 1.2 million adults have a serious mental illness and approximately 400,000 Californians aged 12 - 17 suffer from depression. Thirty-five percent of the 1.5 million adults in California who did not receive needed mental health care in 2021 were unable to because it was cost prohibitive.

NAMI SMC is a non-profit 501(c)(3) exempt organization governed by a dedicated volunteer Board of Directors. The Board is composed of family members and individuals who want to improve the mental health landscape in the community. As an independently operating nonprofit, NAMI SMC does not receive funding from NAMI National or NAMI California, and thus must raise its own operating funds. In the last few years, NAMI SMC has grown rapidly both in terms of clients served and funding. 

NAMI SMC has adopted the following vision and mission, to guide its priorities and programming: 

  • Vision:  We envision a stigma-free world where individuals, peers, and families affected by mental illness and addictive disorders experience healing, recovery, and empowerment enabling everyone to thrive.  

  • Mission:  We provide compassionate support, education, and advocacy, to enhance the quality of life for individuals and families affected by mental illness. 

For more information, please visit https://namisanmateo.org/. 

OPPORTUNITY HIGHLIGHTS 

  • Salary range: $165,000-$185,000. 

  • Benefits include:  

  • 100% paid for Kaiser Gold plan, Delta Dental, and VSP vision  

  • 100% match up to 4% of salary 401k 

  • Cell phone service monthly stipend 

  • Mileage reimbursement for work related travel at the federal rate 

  • Lead a dedicated staff and volunteers to support the San Mateo County community in offering mental health education, awareness, and support, while advocating for those impacted by mental health challenges. 

YOU ARE (A): 

  • Dedicated and passionate leader who is motivated by the challenge to meet the mental health needs of NAMI SMC’s community, and to fight the stigma of mental illness.  

  • Gifted relationship builder excited to become the face and voice of NAMI SMC in the community. 

  • Skilled at building healthy, collaborative teams and facilitating an internal culture of wellness, team excellence, and drive for community support. 

  • Proven fundraiser, skilled at cultivating relationships to drive funding for NAMI SMC’s programs above and beyond government grants. 

  • Passionate about improving quality of life for those impacted by mental Illness and their loved ones. 

  • Community-centric leader, able and enthusiastic about working and networking in San Mateo County. 

POSITION OVERVIEW 

NAMI SMC seeks a passionate, visionary, and strategic leader to guide the organization toward the future. The Executive Director has strategic and operational oversight of over $1M in funding and is responsible for leading, managing, and collaborating with the internal team, Board of Directors, and other stakeholders to build awareness, support, advocacy, and education as it pertains to mental wellness in San Mateo County. The role requires strong attention to detail, passion for people management, strong fundraising ability and financial rigor. 

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS 

The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and manages a team of 10+ direct reports. 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Leadership + Management 

  • In coordination with the Board, develop an operational plan that advances NAMI SMC's ability to deliver on its vision and mission around Education, Support, and Advocacy. 

  • Ensure that operation of the organization meets the needs and expectations of its clients, Board, and funders. 

  • Oversee planning, implementation, and evaluation of the organization's programs, services, and special projects in line with the organization's mission and direction of the Board of Directors. 

  • Establish productive working relationships and collaborative arrangements with community groups, funders, politicians, and other organizations to help achieve our goals. 

  • Become a mental health thought leader in San Mateo County, building community coalitions in service of the mission. 

Financial Planning + Fundraising 

  • Develop and nurture strong relationships with funders and members and keep them informed of the work of the organization. 

  • Identify changing needs in the community that NAMI SMC serves. 

  • Collaborate with staff and Board Treasurer to prepare a comprehensive budget. 

  • Work with Board and development staff to secure funding to ensure the sustainability and fiscal health of the organization. 

  • Develop and implement a multi-year strategic fundraising plan that includes high-net-worth donors, foundations, corporate sponsors, and government grants.  

  • Manage relationships with state and local government funders. 

  • Implement policies and procedures to ensure compliance with all legal, financial, and grant requirements. 

  • Ensure that nonprofit bookkeeping/accounting procedures are followed and required tax and other filings are submitted. 

  • Oversee day-to-day operations to ensure effective delivery of programs and services. 

Administration + Human Resources 

  • Oversee efficient and effective day-to-day operation of the organization. 

  • Identify, assess, and inform the Board of internal and external issues that affect the organization. 

  • Ensure the secure storage of all personnel, client, donor, and volunteer information, maintaining privacy/confidentiality where appropriate. 

  • Foster a positive organizational culture to attract, maintain, and motivate staff and volunteers. 

  • Foster successful teamwork between the Board, staff, and volunteers. 

  • Modify talent resources as needed by recruiting, interviewing, and hiring qualified team members 

  • Evaluate team structure, roles, and responsibilities as needed, and develop a succession plan for key roles. 

  • Engage in proactive coaching and mentoring of staff in service of a healthy internal culture. 

  • Improve organizational efficiency and build community and transparency through regular staff meetings and staff one-on-one meetings. 

COMPETENCIES 

  • 8-10 or more years of progressive management experience in a nonprofit, or prior ED experience in a nonprofit 

  • Bachelor’s Degree required in a relevant field 

  • Comprehensive knowledge of mental Illness 

  • Demonstrated ability to create and execute fundraising strategies and donor stewardship plans unique to the nonprofit sector 

  • Passionate about the mission of NAMI and its programs 

  • Ability to convey and communicate a vision of the future of NAMI SMC to staff, Board, volunteers, and donors 

  • Cultural humility and comfort navigating differences 

  • Ability to create a collaborative environment to motivate Board and committee members, partners, community members, staff, and volunteers 

  • Strong oral and written communication skills 

  • Robust financial acumen and program reporting ability 

  • Natural organizational leader with demonstrated operational skills 

NAMI SMC NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT 

NAMI SMC provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, culture, ethnicity, age, religion, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, genetic information, political belief or affiliation, veteran status, and mental or physical disability, or other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. NAMI SMC makes employment decisions based on how an individual’s skills and qualifications meet the position and responsibilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, and transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. 

NAMI SMC is also committed in policy, principle, and practice to maintaining an environment where program offerings and admissions prohibits discriminatory behavior and provides equal opportunity access for all persons. 

NAMI SMC, knows that all benefit from an environment where all individuals are treated equally and can learn from each other’s experiences and foster mutual respect and appreciation of divergent views. 

NAMI SMC CORE VALUES 

At NAMI San Mateo County, we are driven by a set of core values that guide our mission and shape our impact: 

Compassion: We lead with kindness and empathy, fostering a heart-centered approach in all we do, understanding each individual’s adversity without judgment. 

Community: We foster a supportive community that embraces diversity and eliminates stigma. 

Accountability:  We take responsibility for our actions, behavior, and performance, ensuring honesty, transparency, and ethical standards. 

Respect: We respect each person's individuality, embracing diversity as a cornerstone of our community.  

Equity: We advocate for equitable systems and access to ensure fairness and justice.  

These values, collectively embodied in our commitment to CCARE, guide our efforts to make a positive and lasting impact in the communities we serve. 

TO APPLY 

Please apply for this position here. 

All applications and inquiries will receive a response and be kept strictly confidential. 

National Alliance on Mental Illness is an Equal Opportunity Employer.