Who We Are:

• An employer who prioritizes your wellness
• An employer who supports your growth
• An employer who sees and acknowledges all of you
• An employer who educates on and advocates for mental health while sharing hope to those on their mental health journey or supporting individuals on their mental health journey

Who We Are Looking For:

• A mission-driven advocate and leader with experience in the mental health system
• Strong knowledge base of the local, statewide, and national policy advocacy landscape
• A confident and well-informed communicator
• An aptitude for building trusting partnerships to fulfill NAMI Chicago’s role as an alliance organization

Responsibilities:

• Oversight of day-to-day operations of the Policy Department, including program development and evaluation
• Oversight and management of NAMI Chicago’s policy and advocacy agenda, including developing policy priorities based on needs assessment and current environment, setting direction and delegating execution
• Conducts formal policy needs assessment biannually, with annual informal check-ins with stakeholders
• Serves as primary policy liaison for the state, city, county, partners and stakeholders, in coordination with the CEO, COO and other leadership.
• Engages in administrative and legislative advocacy, developing corresponding policy agendas including state and city lobbying activities.
• Development of policy positions and oversight of policy briefs, reports, position papers and research
• Leadership in stakeholder coalitions, policy and advocacy meetings, furthering NAMI Chicago’s footprint in the mental health policy landscape
• Development and ongoing monitoring and management of the Policy Department budget
• Manages the organization’s strategy and structure around continuous input on policy advocacy from staff, partners, and community.
• Facilitates implementation of NAMI Chicago’s 3-year strategic plan.
• Executes policy education activities, including giving presentations and testimony, and acting as a subject matter expert for government leaders
• Keeps current on policy advocacy landscape, locally, statewide, and nationally.
• Attend educational sessions relevant to NAMI Chicago’s work
• Attend facilitator trainings through NAMI National as needed
• Oversee implementation of NAMI Smarts Training includes: marketing, scheduling, facilitating, maintaining program database and reporting to NAMI Chicago and NAMI National
• Collaborates with NAMI network regarding our shared policy agendas
• Perform other duties as assigned

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated commitment to serving underrepresented and vulnerable populations, including social and racial/ethnic minorities as well as those living with mental illnesses and/or substance use disorders
• Willing to work in a diverse environment in regard to race, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, and gender
• Demonstrated sensitivity and compassion
• Demonstrated interpersonal and public relations skills
• Team management experience and strong interpersonal skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong knowledge base of the local, statewide, and national policy advocacy landscape
• Experience in in and understanding of the mental health system

Minimum Qualifications:

• 3 years of experience in public health, public administration, non-profits, policy, communications, or related fields
• Experience supervising staff
• Experience working in the mental health and/or social service system

Welcomed Qualifications:

• Previous engagement with policymakers
• Master’s Degree in Public Health or Public Policy or 5 years in public health or public policy field

Available Benefits:

• Compensation Range begins at $80,000
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits
• Company Sponsored Life and AD&D Insurance
• Unmatched 401K Program
• Company Sponsored Wellness Activities