Project Director

The Practice Improvement and Consulting Department (PIC) is central to the National Council’s goal of providing timely and meaningful technical assistance and consulting to community mental health and substance use services organizations and other key stakeholders.

As directed by the Senior Director, PIC, this position leads several practice improvement initiatives to maximize their value for the primary audience, meet funder expectations, and leverage outputs for the benefit of the mental health and substance use treatment fields. This position assists in the day-to-day operations of the Department within the framework of the National Council‘s policy goals, priorities, and annual organizational work plan. We seek candidates who are positive, inventive, proactive, and efficient while maintaining an approachable and professional presence to internal and external audiences. Specifically, this position will provide project direction for several public health projects focused on overdose prevention, peers, recovery, and other substance use-related matters.

This is an individual contributor role without any direct reports. While this position can be done remotely from anywhere in the U.S., you must primarily adhere to our Washington, D.C. business hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET.

Key Responsibilities

PIC Department Activities

• Definition and oversight of individual project’s scope, financial plans, staffing needs and functional assignments, and overall timeline
• Project leadership, including coordination with internal and external parties, and clear communication of goals, objectives, and strategic context
• Oversight and/or direct delivery of high-impact, multi-modal training and technical assistance (T/TA) that aligns with the primary audience, scope and budget of the individual initiative; T/TA to generally include tools and toolkits, trainings (virtual and in-person), ad hoc consultation and ongoing coaching
• Direct and oversee project monitoring and evaluation, including data analysis and interpretation
• Task supervision of other staff and/or oversight of external consultants and contracts; may include supervision of and professional development support for other staff members
• Relationship management with relevant funders and other project stakeholders and oversight of reports
• Financial monitoring and stewardship of National Council’s resources, including development and oversight of budgets
• Consistent and proactive communication with senior leadership regarding project activities including, but not limited to, progress on deliverables, subcontract management, financial reports, implementation challenges and mitigation strategies, and potential new opportunities
• Business development, including writing for proposals and participation in discrete areas of strategic planning and outreach
• Provision of responsive, high quality, issue-related and strategy-based technical assistance to National Council state and regional associations, members and other organizations
• Contribution of subject matter expertise to development of tools and resources, presentations, written documents, and strategic plans
• Public speaking at conferences, learning communities, webinars, and key business meetings that facilitate National Council positioning

Organizational Activities – Participate in other National Council activities

• Participate in department and all staff meetings
• Travel on behalf of the National Council as needed
• Other activities aligned with the priorities and day-to-day activities of the National Council

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 6+ years of experience with knowledge of recovery, overdose prevention, and/or substance use treatment strongly preferred
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or additional equivalent years of work experience
• At least 3 years of demonstrated leadership experience, supporting the growth and development of other staff
• Strong experience and commitment to applying a health equity lens to public health practice
• Project and budget management experience
• Organized and results-oriented with a high attention to detail, ability to multi-task, and meet deadlines
• Previous experience in business development with successful results
• Ability to contribute to a collaborative, team-based environment with matrix supervision and fluid project assignments
• Exceptional written, oral, and interpersonal skills demonstrating a high degree of emotional intelligence
• High-level proficiency in Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint
• Ability to travel up to 30%

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with local, state and/or federal contracts/grants oversight
• Project Management Certification (e.g. PMP)

Salary & Benefits

The salary range for this position is $131,000 to $172,400. Salary decisions within the range are based on experience, education and internal equity.

The National Council offers a comprehensive benefits package, which includes (but is not limited to):

• Medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance
• 403(b) pension plan with a 5% employer contribution and an additional up to 4% employer match (totaling up to 9% of annual salary)
• Paid time off, including vacation, sick, personal, floating holiday, bereavement, parental, federal holidays and a floating holiday
• Adoption, fertility and surrogacy reimbursement benefits
• Annual allowance for home office and personal wellness expenses
• Annual professional development and tuition reimbursement funds
• Free Calm Premium app subscription

About Us

The vision of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing is to make mental wellbeing, including recovery from substance use challenges, a reality for everyone. Despite overwhelming need, nearly 30 million people across the U.S. do not have access to comprehensive, high-quality, affordable mental health and substance use care when they need it.

Founded in 1969, the National Council is a 501(c)(3) membership organization that drives policy and social change on behalf of more than 3,400 mental health and substance use treatment organizations and the more than 10 million children, adults and families they serve. We advocate for policies to ensure equitable access to high-quality services. We build the capacity of mental health and substance use treatment organizations. And we promote greater understanding of mental wellbeing as a core component of comprehensive health and health care. Through our Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) program, we have trained more than 3 million people in the U.S. to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges.

The National Council is growing to meet this moment. With an annual budget of $80 million, we’ve more than doubled our dedicated team to 290+ employees since 2020. Although we have office space in Washington, D.C., we operate as a remote-first organization, with employees working from their various locations across the United States.

The National Council is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) is a core organizational value. To this end, we have a DEIB staff committee and multiple Employee Resources Groups (ERGs). We embrace individuals from all backgrounds and perspectives, welcoming people of all races, ethnicities, religions, gender identities, gender expressions, sexual orientations, and ages to apply. We also encourage veterans, people with disabilities, and those with lived experiences in mental health and substance use challenges to apply. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment and recruitment process for everyone. If you require accommodation during the application process, please contact us at Recruiter@thenationalcouncil.org.