Senior Manager, External Relations

What started as a small group of families gathered around a kitchen table in 1979 has blossomed into the nation’s leading voice on mental health. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. 

Today, we are an alliance of hundreds of local affiliates, state organizations and a national office who work in communities across the United States to raise awareness and provide support and education that was not previously available to those in need. NAMI advocates for all who are affected by mental illness, both the individuals and the people in their lives. In particular, we work to address disparities and injustices and to promote dignity and inclusion for all people with mental illness and their families. In addition to being advocates, we educate, we listen, and we lead as evidenced by our public awareness campaigns, the range of numerous programs we provide, and our strong public policy.

We currently have an opening for a Senior Manager, External Relations. The purpose of this position is to develop new, and maintain current, relationships with NAMI’s Corporate Sponsors, Strategic Partners, Ambassadors and Foundation Partners. Managing and cultivating these relationships includes engagement of current and potential sponsors, research on existing and potential supporters, and execution of fundraising efforts.  This position is responsible for cultivating new business and also maintaining existing relationships.

This position is based in either Arlington, VA or the New York City metro area (currently remote due to COVID).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• In collaboration with the Strategic Alliances & Development leadership, this position is responsible for execution of the corporate and foundation fundraising strategy and meeting revenue goals for each area. 
• This position is responsible for assisting leadership to coordinate internal and external resources to ensure the programs and efforts are effectively executed, as well as providing a key contact for sponsors and donors assigned to this portfolio.
• Meet grant deadlines, provide high quality customer service to funders, and execute other development tasks in a professional, timely and effective way as to keep funding steady
• Provide technical assistance, support, and serve as the point of contact for corporate sponsors, foundation and strategic partners.
• Submit grant requests via online grant systems.
• Research new potential supporters for NAMI and other new avenues of support for existing supporters.
• Help to develop and distribute strategic communications to all of NAMI’s corporate and foundation supporters and other partners and ambassadors.
• Hold direct contact, “pitch” meetings with current and potential supporters and partners.
• Manage an internal, streamlined platform to keep an open loop of communication between program staff, funders and the SAD team in coordination with other team members.
• 75% or more of time is spent in direct fundraising.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor Degree in Public Relations, Development, Human Resources, Psychology, Communications, Journalism, Public Policy or a related field; Master’s Degree is preferred
• 5-7  years of experience in public relations, communications, public policy, development, or a related field
• This position requires 75% interaction with partners/clients via email, phone, in person, meetings (in person and virtual), attending events and WebEx meetings
• Strong communication skills, verbal and written
• Good technical skills with computers, able to learn online complex systems quickly
• Travel is required; about 40%
• This job operates in an open work environment.  This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phone, photocopiers, scanners and fax machines.
• This position is based in either Arlington, VA or the New York City metro area.

Work Conditions & Physical Demands:

Essential functions are performed in a general office setting with low noise. Job demands may require long periods of sitting; telephone work and/or computer work, as well as interactions with other team members and external stakeholders. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. NAMI is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.

Must pass background check. 

Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V