Job Description
Job DescriptionDescription:
About the Organization
Founded in 1933, Mental Health America (MHA) of Central Carolinas’ mission is to advance mental wellness through education, advocacy, and access to support. MHA provides family support services to parents of children with behavioral, emotional or mental health needs; social programming for adults living with mental health challenges; free counseling for those who can’t afford it; and mental health education and preventative trainings to the broader community. MHA’s programs bring together mental health consumers, parents, advocates and service providers to address systemic issues impacting mental health.
Position Summary
The Executive Director serves as the organization’s chief executive and strategic leader, responsible for organizational performance, financial sustainability, board partnership, fundraising leadership, and community impact.
Consistent with nonprofit ED benchmarks, this role requires:
- High-level strategic thinking paired with hands-on leadership
- Strong board governance partnership
- Direct involvement in fundraising and external relations
- Oversight of a professional staff and organizational systems
- Accountability for financial health and mission outcomes
The Executive Director is both a visionary leader and an operational steward, ensuring the organization remains effective, compliant, and responsive to community needs.
Requirements:
Primary Responsibilities
Executive & Strategic Leadership
- Provide overall leadership and direction to advance MHA’s mission, vision, values, and strategic priorities
- Partner with the Board of Directors to ensure strong governance, accountability, and organizational effectiveness
- Lead the development, execution, and ongoing evaluation of organizational strategy and goals
- Anticipate and respond to emerging opportunities and challenges to strengthen impact and sustainability
- Serve as a visible, credible, and trusted representative of MHA within the community
Advancement & Resource Development
- Lead the organization’s fundraising and revenue-generation efforts, including individual giving, grants, corporate partnerships, and special events
- Build and sustain strong relationships with donors, funders, and community stakeholders
- Collaborate with the Board and Development staff to set and achieve fundraising goals
- Ensure timely, accurate reporting, compliance, and stewardship related to all funding sources
Operational & People Leadership
- ·Provide oversight of all organizational operations, programs, and administrative functions
- Supervise, mentor, and develop senior leadership and staff to support performance and growth
- Foster a positive, inclusive, and high-performing organizational culture aligned with MHA’s values
- Ensure program quality, effectiveness, and continuous improvement
- Implement systems and processes that promote efficiency, accountability, and sustainability
Financial Stewardship
- Oversee the organization’s financial health, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting
- Partner with the Board and staff to ensure fiscal responsibility and long-term financial sustainability
- Monitor financial performance, manage risk, and ensure appropriate internal controls
- Guide strategic financial planning and responsible resource allocation
Community Engagement & External Relations
- Serve as the organization’s primary spokesperson, as appropriate
- Build and maintain strategic relationships with community partners, public agencies, and nonprofit collaborators
- Support and advance advocacy efforts aligned with MHA’s mission and strategic priorities
- Represent MHA in local, regional, and statewide forums to elevate visibility and impact
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required in a relevant field such as nonprofit management, business administration, public policy, or social services preferred
- Minimum of ten (10) years of senior management or executive-level experience
- Proven leadership experience in nonprofit or mission-driven organization, Nonprofit leadership experience strongly preferred
- Strong operational, financial, and people-management skills
- Experience in fundraising, donor relations, or external partnerships
- Ability to lead during times of transition with clarity, calm, and collaboration
- Excellent communication, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills
What We Offer
- Compensation commensurate with experience and education, based on revenue projections.
- Medical, dental, vision, life, LTD, and STD insurance, employee assistance plan
- Paid holidays, including two company-wide mental health days annually
- 401(k) eligibility after 12 months
- Professional development opportunities
- Mileage reimbursement
- Supportive, mission-driven workplace
- Opportunity to make a lasting impact on families and systems in our community
Working Conditions / Physical Requirements
- Occasional lifting (up to 30 lbs.), light travel, and hybrid office/remote work environment.
- Requires sitting, standing, stretching, data entry, virtual meeting facilitation, and in-person engagement.
- Comfortable working flexible hours, including evenings or weekends as needed.
- MHA operates offices in multiple counties; thus all employees are required to travel for meetings, events, etc. Some destinations may be at least 20 miles apart.