Executive Director

Position Reports to: NAMI Northern Nevada Board of Directors

Employment Status: Full-Time, Exempt

About NAMI Northern Nevada

NAMI Northern Nevada is a regional affiliate voice of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental health conditions through advocacy, education, support, and public awareness serving Washoe County, Nevada.

Grounded in the belief that recovery is possible and mental health care is a human right, NAMI Nevada works toward a future where:

• ● Mental health is understood without stigma or shame
• ● Individuals and families are empowered through knowledge and community
• ● Lived experience informs systems, policy, and practice
• ● Every Nevadan has equitable access to compassionate, culturally responsive mental health care
• ● Communities across urban and tribal regions are connected through support and hope

NAMI Northern Nevada operates at the intersection of community voice and systems change, serving as both a grassroots movement and a trusted statewide partner.

Position Description

The Executive Director (ED) is the chief executive officer responsible for advancing NAMI Northern Nevada’s mission, stewarding its vision, and ensuring organizational sustainability and impact across the state.

The ED provides strategic, operational, financial, and cultural leadership while serving as the organization’s primary ambassador, advocate, and relationship builder. The role requires balancing visionary leadership with disciplined execution, ensuring programs remain mission-aligned while expanding reach and influence.

Working closely with the Board of Directors, affiliate leaders, volunteers, policymakers, and community partners, the Executive Director leads NAMI Nevada in strengthening Nevada’s mental health ecosystem through collaboration, advocacy, education, and systems transformation.

Strategic Vision & Organizational Leadership

The Executive Director serves as the steward of organizational vision and long-term impact.

Responsibilities include:

• Lead implementation and ongoing refinement of the strategic plan.
• Translate mission and vision into measurable statewide outcomes.
• Identify emerging mental health trends, policy opportunities, and community needs.
• Guide organizational growth while maintaining fidelity to NAMI’s national standards and values.
• Foster innovation that expands access while preserving program integrity.
• Ensure alignment between programs, advocacy priorities, funding strategy, and community impact.
• Promote a culture rooted in hope, empowerment, inclusion, and recovery.

The ED ensures that organizational decisions consistently reflect NAMI’s commitment to dignity, peer leadership, and community-driven change.

2. Program Excellence & Statewide Impact

The Executive Director ensures that NAMI Nevada’s programs operate with quality, consistency, and accessibility.

Responsibilities include:

• Oversee statewide implementation of NAMI signature programs, including:
• Peer-led education programs
• Family support initiatives
• Community presentations
• Advocacy and awareness campaigns
• Expand program delivery into underserved and rural communities.
• Strengthen affiliate partnerships and volunteer leadership structures.
• Ensure programs are trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and inclusive.
• Establish evaluation systems to measure outcomes and impact.
• Support program innovation while maintaining evidence-informed practices.
• Ensure program fidelity requirements established by NAMI National are upheld.

The ED champions lived experience as a central leadership asset within programming.

3. Advocacy, Policy & Public Leadership

The Executive Director elevates NAMI Northern Nevada as a leading voice for mental health advocacy statewide.

Responsibilities include:

• Serve as chief spokesperson and public representative.
• Develop and advance legislative and policy priorities aligned with NAMI’s mission.
• Build strong relationships with:
• Behavioral health agencies
• Advocacy coalitions
• Community organizations
• Coordinate advocacy campaigns and grassroots engagement.
• Represent NAMI Northern Nevada in media, conferences, and public forums.
• Promote anti-stigma messaging and mental health literacy statewide.

The ED ensures advocacy efforts center the lived experience and equitable access to care.

Financial Sustainability & Stewardship

The Executive Director ensures long-term financial sustainability and responsible stewardship of resources.

Responsibilities include:

• Develop and manage annual operating budgets in partnership with the Board.
• Oversee financial reporting, forecasting, and compliance.
• Diversify revenue streams through:
• Foundation and government grants
• Individual giving programs
• Corporate partnerships
• State contracts
• Special events and campaigns through fundraising
• Federal and Local Grant Writing, Grant Management, and Grant Reporting monthly.
• Partner with the Board on fundraising strategy and donor engagement.
• Cultivate major donors and strategic funding relationships.
• Ensure transparency and strong financial controls.

The ED models stewardship that is aligned with community trust and nonprofit accountability.

5. Board Partnership & Governance Excellence

The Executive Director works in collaborative partnership with the Board of Directors to ensure effective governance.

Responsibilities include:

• Support board development, recruitment, and orientation.
• Provide strategic guidance and operational insight to inform board decisions.
• Prepare board materials, reports, and performance dashboards.
• Assist committees in advancing governance priorities.
• Maintain compliance with nonprofit laws, bylaws, and ethical standards.
• Strengthen board engagement in fundraising and advocacy.

The ED maintains clear boundaries between governance and operations while fostering strong collaboration.

6. Organizational Operations & Culture

The Executive Director builds a healthy, inclusive, and sustainable organizational culture.

Responsibilities include:

• Recruit, supervise, and develop staff aligned with mission and values.
• Implement equitable hiring and performance management practices.
• Foster a psychologically safe workplace consistent with mental health values.
• Oversee HR policies, compliance, and organizational infrastructure.
• Promote staff wellness and prevent burnout through sustainable practices.
• Ensure operational systems support organizational growth.

The ED models trauma-informed leadership and values-centered decision-making.

7. Community Engagement & Partnership Development

The Executive Director strengthens NAMI Northern Nevada’s role as a statewide convener.

Responsibilities include:

• Build cross-sector partnerships that expand impact.
• Engage diverse communities, including rural and tribal populations.
• Develop collaborations with healthcare, education, housing, and justice systems.
• Increase public awareness and community participation.
• Strengthen relationships with local NAMI affiliates and volunteers.

Successful candidates will demonstrate

• Visionary yet practical leadership
• Emotional intelligence and empathy
• Strong systems thinking
• Collaborative leadership style
• Equity-centered decision-making
• Financial and operational acumen
• Advocacy and public communication strength
• Ability to lead through complexity and change

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership experience.
• At least 5 years in senior nonprofit or mission-driven leadership.
• Demonstrated experience managing budgets and teams.
• Experience building partnerships across sectors.

Preferred Qualifications

• Lived experience with mental health conditions or caregiving.
• Behavioral health or public health experience.
• Statewide or multi-site leadership experience.
• Policy or advocacy leadership background.
• Experience working with volunteer-driven organizations.

Application Requirements

Interested candidates are invited to submit the following materials to the Board President, Dr. Sarah Hartzell, at :

• Resume or Curriculum Vitae: A current resume that outlines professional experience, leadership roles, organizational impact, and relevant accomplishments.
• Letter of Intent: A letter of intent (no more than two pages) that addresses:
  
  • Your interest in serving as Executive Director of NAMI Nevada
  • Alignment with NAMI Northern Nevada’s mission, vision, and values
  • Your leadership philosophy and approach to nonprofit or mission-driven leadership
  • Experience advancing mental health, community advocacy, or systems change
  • Demonstrated experience in organizational leadership, fundraising, or partnership development
  • Your vision for advancing mental health equity and community impact in Nevada

Candidates are encouraged to reflect on both professional experience and personal connection to the mission where applicable.

Compensation

• $65,000-80,000 per year based on experience and qualifications

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