Vice President of Programs

Title: Vice President of Programs

Type: Full-Time

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Office Location: 1801 W. Warner, Suite 202, Chicago IL; required in-office minimum of 3 days per

week (hybrid work policy subject to change)

Background:

The mission of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Chicago is to provide hope and improve the

quality of life for those whose lives are af ected by mental illness. NAMI Chicago seeks to fill gaps in Chicago's

mental health system, with an intentional emphasis on serving underrepresented populations and breaking

down barriers to care.

Who We Are Looking For:

The Vice President of Programs, under the leadership of the Chief Executive Officer and in partnership

with the Executive Leadership Team, provides primary leadership for successful development, delivery,

management, and evaluation of NAMI Chicago's programs. This position drives the organization's overall

strategy to achieve its goals in bridging the gaps that exist within the mental health continuum of care,

ensuring that programs are aligned towards impact. The VP of Programs oversees all aspects of program

development and maintenance, managing a team of program leaders, developing and management all

aspects of program budgets, including grant reporting, and acts as an external representative for NAMI

with social service, government, and philanthropic partners.

The Vice President of Programs acts as a principal advisor to the CEO on all matters related to program

policy and operations, identifying opportunities to strengthen the foundation of existing programs and

innovative approaches for new programming. The VP of Programs also acts as a leader within the

organization, coaching and developing program leadership while finding opportunities for collaboration

between programs and other departments. Externally, the VP of Programs serves as a spokesperson for

NAMI Chicago, speaking publicly and building partnerships across Chicagoland communities to raise the

visibility and influence of the organization.

Importantly, the Vice President of Programs is an empathetic leader who approaches the complex issues

of mental illness with a deep sense of compassion and understanding, incorporating the experience of

those living with mental health conditions into program strategies and goals. The VP of Programs is an

experienced people manager who enjoys mentoring staff and supporting their needs for wellness while

providing the structure, organization, and accountability necessary for them to thrive.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

Leadership and Team Development:

● Attract, develop, coach, motivate and retain high-performance team members, empowering

them to effectively lead their programs and to elevate their level of responsibility and

performance.

● Ensure adequate succession planning; identifying, training and developing leaders and setting

them on a path for management.

● Invest in people and cultivate a team culture rooted in accountability that inspires confidence,

trust, respect, and transparency.

● Provide direction, goals, and communication on key issues that empowers the team to achieve

results. Ensure employees understand the organization's values and goals.

● Serve as a key advisor and thought partner to the NAMI Chicago's Executive Team.

Strategy Development and Execution:

● Stay abreast of new research and studies in mental health to ensure NAMI Chicago's programs

are utilizing the most up-to-date mental health strategies.

● Create, measure, and communicate program goals, milestones, and metrics aligned with NAMI

Chicago's strategic planning process.

● Ensure that program strategies are evidence-based and driven by qualitative and quantitative

data from NAMI Chicago's existing programs and public health sources.

● Develop and facilitate the Policy and Program Committee of the Board and consult with

leadership and Board members on policy recommendations as appropriate.

Program Delivery:

● Oversee program development, service delivery, and evaluation for NAMI Chicago's programs

in support and crisis operations, care coordination, and recovery.

● Establish, implement, and improve program structure, policies, procedures, processes,

systems, best practices, risk management, and safety guidelines, and provide oversight for

programs with the goal of consistently excellent service delivery.

● Ensure business practices align with company goals and maximize efficiency and effectiveness.

● Oversee program budgets and financial performance, working collaboratively with the finance

team.

● Utilize reports and metrics to monitor staff engagement, client experience, and program

effectiveness and outcomes. Continually investigate and introduce process improvement

measures.

● Work with the development team to identify budget gaps and grant opportunities,

coordinating across departments to ensure grant tracking and reporting procedures are in

place. Review grant proposals, reports, and budgets prior to submission.

Partnerships and External Relationships

● Serves as liaison to funding bodies and consistently develop and sustain cooperative working

relationships with funders, working collaboratively with the executive team.

● Serve as a lead representative for NAMI Chicago programs and impact, representing the

agency at external and internal events and playing a leadership role in strengthening the

organization's outreach, influence and communications efforts.

● Maintain active external engagement to ensure awareness of community needs and

opportunities, trends and needs in the nonprofit social service and philanthropic ecosystems.

● Build relationships with relevant peers in the government, philanthropic and nonprofit

sectors, and business community that may lead to collaborations and partnerships.

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

● Knowledge of the mental health care continuum in Cook County and its gaps, particularly for

disenfranchised communities.

● Knowledge of current trends in mental health.

● Understanding of grant application, reporting, and evaluation processes.

● Fluency with data and evaluation, including development and use of metrics and measurement

tools.

● Exceptional project management skills with the organizational knowledge necessary to lead

complex projects from conception to fruition.

● Excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills that allow for effective relationships with

leadership, peers, and colleagues.

● Technically proficient in the use of computer applications and software, including

intermediate-level knowledge of Microsoft products.

● Ability to work effectively with diverse people from all social and economic backgrounds.

Understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion principles/practices and commitment to

incorporating them into work.

● Ability to motivate, develop, and guide individuals in their work.

● Ability to understand complex problems and develop short-term and long-term solutions to

address them.

● Ability to identify measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to

improve or correct them.

● Ability to implement cross-functional team collaboration and continuous improvement cycles.

Qualifications & Requirements:

● Master's or advanced degree in social work, psychology, or related field.

● 15 years' experience in building programs and impact, preferably with a focus on mental health or

healthcare policy or programming.

● Five years experience in a senior leadership position.

● Experience building and scaling teams and systems.

● Clinical experience preferred.

Available Benefits:

● Compensation range begins at $140,000/year

● Medical, Dental and Vision benefits

● Company Sponsored Life and AD&D Insurance

● Unmatched 401k Program

● Company sponsored wellness activities

To Apply: Please submit your application here

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NAMI Chicago is an inclusive employer, we welcome and encourage BIPOC, LGBTQ+, Veterans,

Differently Abled, Returning Citizens and All Who Are Dedicated to Mental Health to Apply.

Covid-19 Note: In the spirit of caring for one another and our community, please note that upon

accepting an offer of employment from NAMI Chicago, you will be required to share proof of a

COVID-19 vaccination and booster upon eligibility. You may apply for a Medical or Religious

Exemption in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.