Executive Director

NAMI Seattle | Seattle, WA

About the Organization

Mental health is everyone’s business. In Washington, more than 1.6 million adults live with a mental illness—yet too many face stigma, isolation, or long waits for care. NAMI Seattle is a trusted community voice and connector, bringing hope, education, and peer support so that no one faces mental health challenges alone.

As the founding chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, NAMI Seattle has been a lifeline for over four decades. What began as a grassroots movement of families and individuals who were determined to change the way our community understands and addresses mental illness at a time when stigma was even more pervasive than it is today, has grown into a respected nonprofit offering free, community-based, peer-led programs that bridge the gap between the medical model of care and the realities of daily life with mental illness.

Our Mission: To address unmet mental health needs through support, referral, education, and outreach.

Our Vision: A world where no one feels alone in their mental health journey, and everyone has the tools and encouragement to live a fulfilling life.

What We Do

Our work is built on three pillars:

• Education – Equipping youth and adults with practical knowledge about mental health so people can help themselves and others improve everyone’s well-being.
• Support – Peer-led support groups facilitated by trained volunteers with lived experience provide empathy, encouragement, and community that improve their mental health.
• Advocacy – Amplifying the voices of people affected by mental illness to work toward systematic change to advance equitable, responsive, and accessible mental health care.

Signature programs include:

• Peer-led support groups for individuals living with mental illness and their families.
• Family-to-Family and Peer-to-Peer education classes to improve knowledge and mutual support.
• Ending the Silence and In Our Own Voice, reaching more than 1,000 youth and families annually.
• Professional development trainings to reduce stigma and improve understanding of mental health and communication with others in need of support and improve self-care.

In 2024 alone, NAMI Seattle hosted 366 support group meetings, provided crisis support for 256 people via our helpline, and reached over 1,600 youth and adults through classes and trainings. Many programs are also offered in Spanish.

Our work is made possible by a dedicated five-person staff and a passionate volunteer corps, some of whom have served for more than 20 years. Our culture is shaped by kindness, community, empowerment, and integrity, and strengthened by our commitments to continuous learning, empathy, and authentic relationships.

Learn more at namiseattle.org.

The Opportunity

NAMI Seattle is seeking a compassionate, strategic, and relationship-driven Executive Director to lead us into our next chapter. Following a period of transition, the organization is well-positioned for success—with a $600,000 annual budget, one year of reserves, a talented staff, dedicated volunteers, and strong community trust.

Reporting to and in partnership with the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will provide overall leadership for strategy, operations, and finances. The ideal leader will be both vision and execution while fostering a collaborative, welcoming, and accountable culture.  They are able to inspire trust, build authentic relationships, and guide the organization toward growth while honoring its grassroots heart.

This is a role for someone who believes in the power of community-based mental health support and understands that lasting change comes from relationships as much as from programs.

Key Priorities

First Year

• Streamline operations while increasing volunteer engagement and program delivery.
• Build trust and deepen relationships with staff, volunteers, board, and partners.
• Strengthen fundraising capacity.
• Foster a learning organization that is responsive, evidence-based, and committed to excellence.

Long Term

• Expand reach into new communities and partnerships.
• Diversify and stabilize funding streams for sustainability.
• Strengthen NAMI Seattle’s role as a leader in mental health advocacy.
• Nurture a thriving internal culture where staff and volunteers feel empowered.

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will bring many of the following strengths:

Leadership & Culture

• Experience leading through change while fostering a healthy, inclusive workplace.
• Proven success in staff development, hiring, mentoring, retaining, and team collaboration.
• High emotional intelligence and integrity, with the ability to listen deeply, act decisively, and lead with compassion.
• Listen deeply, lead with empathy, and balance patience with decisiveness.
• Commitment to building joy, appreciation, and connection in organizational culture.

Finance & Operations

• Strong financial management skills, including budget creation, revenue forecasting, and fiscal oversight aligned with strategic goals.
• Successful fundraising experience across diverse revenue streams aligned to mission impact.

Programs & Impact

• Understanding of mental health systems, stigma, and community-based support delivery, especially within small nonprofit settings.
• Familiarity with current research and evidence-based approaches to improving mental health.
• Ability to design, scale, and evaluate programs for equitable community impact.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a data-informed approach to continuous learning and outcomes improvement.
• Comfort interacting compassionately with individuals experiencing active symptoms of mental illness.

Advocacy & Community Engagement

·       Skilled in aligning messaging, outreach, and brand strategy with mission-driven goals and community engagement.

·       Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to represent the organization publicly and advocate for policy change.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience; Master’s preferred.
• Three years of successful experience in a similar position, demonstrating the ability to lead strategically, achieve goals, monitor progress, and celebrate impact.
• Experience with peer-led, educational, or community-based initiatives.
• Bilingual in English and another language.

Compensation & Benefits

• Starting Salary Range: $115,000 – $130,000 DOE
• Benefits:
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage with 100% of employee premiums paid
• 15 days of vacation, 12 sick days, 15 holidays, plus 2 floating holidays
• Monthly phone stipend

How to Apply

This is a rare opportunity to lead a respected, community-rooted organization with strong financial footing, a dedicated team, and deep trust across Seattle. As Executive Director, you will help shape the future of mental health advocacy and ensure that no one has to face mental illness alone.

To apply, please send a resume and cover letter addressed to the Board of Directors outlining your interest and qualifications. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

You may direct questions to Amy Burton at Amy@valtasgroup.com or 206.718.5122.

NAMI Seattle prioritizes diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds, including BIPOC, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, individuals with disabilities, and veterans. NAMI Seattle is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer, meaning no one is unfairly excluded from opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sex, age, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our commitment to EEO applies to all aspects of employment.