Job Description

About NAMI Guilford County

NAMI Guilford is a trusted, community-based affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization. For more than 40 years, NAMI Guilford has provided education, support, advocacy, and awareness for individuals living with mental health conditions and the families who care for them.

NAMI Guilford’s work is grounded in the belief that mental health is for everyone. Through peer- and family-centered programs, community education, and collaborative partnerships, the organization reduces stigma, builds understanding, and connects people to hope and help.

NAMI Guilford is entering a pivotal moment in its history. With new funding, growing community demand, and the opening of its first-ever physical space, the organization is hiring its first full-time Executive Director to lead the next chapter of growth, sustainability, and impact.

NAMI Guilford is opening its first dedicated physical space as a direct result of significant investment from Trillium Health Resources and other partners. This space is intended to serve as a community hub for mental health education, peer support, and connection, expanding NAMI Guilford’s visibility, accessibility, and impact across the county.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization, structured as a membership-based network with national, state, and local affiliates. NAMI Guilford is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit affiliated with NAMI National and NAMI North Carolina, operating with its own Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, and funding.

While aligned with national standards and evidence-based NAMI programs, NAMI Guilford County is locally governed and community-driven, allowing it to respond directly to the unique needs of Guilford County. The Executive Director will work within this affiliate model—collaborating with state and national partners while leading local strategies, operations, and community impact.

Learn more at: https://namiguilford.org/

The Opportunity

The Executive Director (ED) will serve as the chief executive and public face of NAMI Guilford, reporting to a 10-member Board of Directors. The ED will lead a small professional staff of one full-time and one part-time individual and work closely with a strong volunteer base of approximately 40 individuals. Together, they will guide the organization through an important transition—from a long-standing, fully volunteer-driven model to a more structured and sustainable organization with professional staffing working alongside volunteers, diversified funding, and an expanded community presence.

This is a hands-on, highly relational leadership role suited for a seasoned nonprofit leader who is energized by building infrastructure while honoring the grassroots history. The ED will balance strategy and execution, collaboration and accountability, and growth with deep respect for peer and family voices.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership, Management & Strategy

• Lead NAMI Guilford through its next phase of organizational development by establishing clear systems, processes, and roles while preserving the heart, values, and peer-centered nature of the organization.
• Partner with the Board of Directors as a strategic thought partner to clarify priorities, strengthen governance practices, and support the transition from a working board to a governing board, with shared accountability for organizational health and direction.
• Build and sustain shared vision and alignment across the Board, staff, volunteers, peers, and community partners.
• Oversee day-to-day operations, including budgeting, financial management, compliance, and risk management, ensuring strong organizational stewardship and sustainability.
• Recruit, supervise, and support a team of two staff, fostering a healthy, mission-driven, and collaborative workplace culture.
• Provide clear leadership and support to volunteers and peers, honoring the unique strengths and dynamics of lived-experience leadership through structure, communication, and appreciation.

• Serve as a visible, trusted spokesperson and ambassador for NAMI Guilford across Guilford County and surrounding communities.
• Deepen partnerships with hospitals, managed care organizations, public health agencies, local governments, universities, and peer-led organizations.
• Position NAMI Guilford as a household name and central hub for inclusive, accessible, and individualized mental health education, support, and connection.

Resource Development & Sustainability

• Build and support a sustainable fundraising approach that aligns with NAMI Guilford’s mission, values, and capacity, including grants, public funding, individual giving, and corporate partnerships.
• Partner with the Board to build comfort, confidence, and shared ownership around fundraising, helping board members understand their role in relationship-building, advocacy, and resource development.
• Strengthen fundraising systems and practices over time, reduce reliance on any single funding source, and guide the organization toward a diversified, resilient revenue model that supports long-term stability and impact.

Programs & Impact

• Strengthen and expand NAMI’s core peer- and family-centered programs, including support groups, education offerings, and the Guilford County Behavior Health Peer Living Room. In addition, support programing and peer recovery trainings, connection building opportunities, resource navigation, and access to Certified Peer Support Specialist.
• Ensure programs are responsive to community needs, culturally inclusive, and aligned with best practices and NAMI National’s Standards of Excellence, and other NAMI organizational requirements. Monitor for ongoing updates for programs, educational requirements, affiliate guidelines and other operational requirements established by NAMI.
• Explore thoughtful growth opportunities, including expanded outreach, training models, and potential earned-revenue strategies, as appropriate.

Ideal Leader Profile

NAMI Guilford seeks a leader who is passionate about serving those impacted by mental health concerns, letting them know they are not alone. The ideal candidate is proactive, strategic, and engaged, while remaining grounded, collaborative, and deeply relational.

Core Qualities & Values

• A person with understanding of lived experience with mental health conditions—as a peer, family member, or caregiver—and a genuine commitment to mental health advocacy and wellness.
• Deep respect for peer- and family-centered approaches and the role of lived experience in healing and systems change.
• Strong communicator who can connect authentically with diverse audiences that include race, culture, community and stigma sources, from peers and volunteers to funders, policymakers, and healthcare leaders.
• Transparent, organized, and clear in decision-making and communication.
• Emotionally intelligent leader who can navigate change, manage complexity, and bring people together across differing perspectives.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and understanding the intersection of mental health with marginalized communities.

Experience & Skills

• Senior nonprofit leadership experience, ideally within mental health, behavioral health, healthcare, human services, or advocacy.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, resource development, or building sustainable funding models.
• Experience working closely with a board of directors and supporting effective governance.
• Operational and financial acumen, with the ability to build systems in a growing organization.
• Comfort being both strategic and hands-on—willing to “unlock the door, sweep the floor,” and lead by example.

 
Application Process

NAMI Guilford County has engaged Armstrong McGuire to conduct this search. Interested candidates should apply through Armstrong McGuire’s website. To apply, scroll to the bottom of this page.  You will see instructions for uploading your compelling cover letter, resume, and salary requirements. Please provide all requested information to be considered. In case of any technical problems, contact talent@armstrongmcguire.com No phone calls, please, and no applications will be accepted by email or directly from third-party posting sites.

This is a full-time exempt leadership position that includes occasional evening and weekend responsibilities to support organizational needs. The Executive Director is expected to manage their schedule responsibly, ensuring strong visibility, availability, and productivity, with time in the office balanced by flexibility as appropriate to effectively carry out the role.

The salary range for this position is $75,000–$80,000. A monthly stipend will be provided to help offset medical expenses and support retirement savings. The position includes three weeks of paid vacation and nine paid holidays. Professional development is offered through attendance at the NAMI National and State conferences.

NAMI Guilford is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds and experiences to apply.

This position profile reflects extensive stakeholder input from board members, staff, volunteers, peers, funders, and community partners and is intended to guide the selection of NAMI Guilford’s first full-time Executive Director.