Position Title: Peer Support Groups Coordinator 

Reports to: Manager of Support Groups 

FSLA Status: Full Time, Non-Exempt 

Hours: 32 hours per week, Monday and Wednesday 12 PM – 8 PM, Tuesday and Thursday 10 AM – 6 PM, Friday 10 AM – 2 PM (the organization closes every Friday at 2 pm), evening and weekend hours as needed. Hybrid work schedule with 2-3 days in the office.  

 

About NAMI-NYC: 

Guided by lived experience and evidence-based practices, the National Alliance on Mental Illness of New York City (NAMI-NYC) helps families and individuals affected by mental illness build better lives through education, support, and advocacy. We offer evidence-based education classes, 40+ support groups, family mentoring, a multilingual Helpline, and more to family members and individuals completely FREE regardless of income, insurance, or immigration status. We’re also the only non-profit directly supporting family members caring for those with mental illness.  

NAMI-NYC also advocates for affordable, culturally responsive mental healthcare, mental health education in schools, and decriminalizing mental illness to break the endless cycle of psychiatric hospitalizations, homelessness, and incarceration.  

 

Position Description: 

We’re looking for our next incredible Peer Support Groups Coordinator, who is creative and has a can-do attitude. This role will be primarily responsible for day-to-day logistics to coordinate NAMI-NYC Peer Support Groups. We’re looking for an experienced peer; someone living with a mental health challenge, who is passionate about directly supporting the recruitment, training and development of support group volunteers and facilitating themselves when needed.  

As a Peer Support Group Coordinator, you have respect and compassion for individuals and families affected by mental illness. You have a warm and inviting approach to engaging volunteers, love to work as part of a team, and can juggle multiple competing priorities with proven success. You’re also a flexible problem solver who embraces change and thrives in a fast-paced work setting.  

You will work collaboratively with the entire programs and services team and the larger NAMI-NYC staff to deliver one of the most important mental health messages to New Yorkers — You are not alone; NAMI-NYC is here for you. We are a close-knit team of over 30 staff and the program and services team takes pride in being the heart and soul of the organization. We enjoy half days on Fridays and our generous PTO policy. We’re NAMI-NYC, so it’s also okay to take your therapy session during the workday. We get it. 

The sky is the limit, and new ideas are not only welcomed but encouraged. We can’t wait to see what our next Peer Support Groups Coordinator can do. 

 

Your Responsibilities: 

To perform this job successfully, you must be able to perform the following satisfactorily; other duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Provide supervision and support to existing support group volunteers in collaboration with Manager and Family Support Groups Coordinator. 

• Create and maintain administrative systems to ensure smooth operation of Support Group programs.  

• Ensure accurate data capture. 

• Aid in recruiting new support group volunteers in collaboration with Manager and other team members. 

• Communicate frequently with volunteers to ensure all group sessions are fully staffed. 

• Facilitate peer led support groups and provide support group coverage as needed when volunteers are absent or unable to cover their shift. 

• Oversee set up and cleanup of support and social groups held in person. 

• Facilitate volunteer meetings as needed; develop meeting agendas, write and distribute meeting summaries. 

• Assist Manager in developing and updating volunteer training materials and facilitate volunteer trainings. 

• Assist Manager in promoting support groups. 

• Aid in development and implementation of new family support groups 

• Participate in all relevant and/or required meetings, presentations, conferences, events, trainings and/or special projects to advance program goals. 

• Support and participate in other NAMI-NYC events, as requested. 

• Other duties as assigned  

 

Your Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree required 

• Minimum of two years’ experience in mental health settings 

• Respect and compassion for individuals and families affected by mental illness 

• Strong administrative and organizational skills 

• Volunteer coordination experience preferred 

• Strong written and oral communication skills 

• Basic knowledge of and experience with mental illness, recovery, and the mental health system 

• Work effectively with diverse populations 

• Detail oriented 

• Bilingual Spanish/English preferred 

• Experience facilitating groups preferred 

• Proficient in Zoom, Microsoft Office and Google Calendar 

• Salesforce experience preferred 

 

What Makes You Successful: 

• You are able to work independently and collaboratively as appropriate. 

• You are an effective problem solver. 

• You are flexible and comfortable with conflict resolution. 

• You remain calm and focused in stressful and/or frustrating situations. 

• You have a go-with-the-flow attitude and sense of humor–that’s nonprofit life.  

• You have lived experience. You understand what it’s personally like to have mental health challenges or you’re a family member or close friend to someone who does. 

 

Salary and Benefits: 

• Salary $50,000 – $60,000 annually 

• Generous PTO policy 

• Medical, dental and vision coverage 

• 401K retirement plan 

• Transitchek (when applicable) 

The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor. 

 

Physical Demands: 

You must occasionally lift and/or move equipment. Evening and weekend work is occasionally required. 

 

To Apply: We can’t wait to hear from you. Send your cover letter and resume to jobs@naminyc.org with Peer Support Groups Coordinator in the subject line. Thank you for your time! 

Background:  

The National Alliance on Mental Illness of New York City, Inc. (NAMI-NYC) is a peer-based and -led grassroots organization that helps families and individuals affected by mental illness. NAMI-NYC is the only non-profit in NYC providing direct support to family members caring for loved ones with mental illness, providing education, advocacy, and support to them as well as to individuals living with mental illness. Serving the community for over 40 years, NAMI-NYC has touched thousands of lives – including more than 20,000 individuals in 2024.

One in five Americans live with mental illness. NAMI-NYC’s 32 staff members and more than 330 volunteers understand the complexity of mental health issues because they too have lived with or supported a loved one with mental illness. This experience allows the staff to convey what they have learned to those who seek out NAMI-NYC’s services through peer-led evidence-based education classes for individuals, family and friends, as well as support groups on a variety of topics. Classes and support groups are available in English and Spanish and are all free of charge.

As one of the largest affiliates of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, NAMI-NYC works collaboratively with state and national affiliates, and with stakeholders in the community, to educate the public, increase awareness, advocate for legislation, reduce stigma, and improve the mental health care system. NAMI-NYC is particularly excited about their Workplace Mental Health Initiative which provides tailored programs to employers who want to promote their employee wellbeing in the workplace, while reducing the stigma towards mental illness. This is an innovative model that not only serves the public but generates revenue for NAMI-NYC.

Position:

NAMI-NYC has experienced significant growth over the past few years and is looking for a dynamic, experienced, and entrepreneurial leader to be their next CEO. The CEO will act as the organization’s chief fundraiser, external advocate, and program leader, and will oversee the organization’s continued growth and programmatic expansion. The CEO will work closely with the Board ensuring sustainable growth of the organization while maintaining the high quality of its programs and services.

This is a critical, visible position requiring a genuine and first-hand understanding of mental health issues, as well as a commitment to and passion for NAMI-NYC’s mission. Lived experience is critical to NAMI-NYC’s success, so the ideal candidate will be a highly effective non-profit manager who knows how to inspire and lead the staff of a peer-based and -led organization. The CEO will also lead the drive to increase the organization’s visibility, serving as a passionate advocate to varied constituencies and stakeholders on behalf of NAMI-NYC and engaging the stakeholders in the importance of addressing the myriad needs of those affected by mental illness.

Responsibilities: 

• Reporting to NAMI-NYC’s Board of Directors, establish annual and long-range goals and implement strategies and policies to foster the growth of the organization.
• Provide hands-on strategic and operational direction and leadership in the execution of the organization’s mission and implementation of its goals and objectives.
• With the Director of Development’s support, advance NAMI-NYC’s fundraising goals. The CEO will be tasked with cultivating and maintaining relationships with major individual donors.
• Serve as the face and voice of NAMI-NYC to successfully engage and motivate stakeholders. Represent NAMI-NYC on key local and regional task forces, commissions and other policy bodies, as appropriate.
• Oversee and ensure the organization’s financial solvency, viability, and sustainability with a strong emphasis on achieving growth and expanding services.
• Prepare the organization’s annual budget for approval by the Board of Directors.
• Together with the Chief Operating Officer, implement NAMI-NYC’s policies, systems, and procedures to improve the overall operations and effectiveness of the organization and ensure timely and accurate management of budgets and operations data.
• Assure that the organization and its mission, programs and services are consistently presented in a strong and positive image to relevant stakeholders. Actively advocate for the organization, its beliefs, and programmatic vision.
• Promote a strong working relationship with the Board based on trust, confidence, and transparency with timely and regular communications.
• Engage and support the Board in its governance and fundraising goals by communicating opportunities, strategic choices, and the status of internal and external issues affecting the organization.
• Together with the Board and key stakeholders, extend the organization’s reach into new communities by building relationships and partnerships.
• Work with the Director of Marketing and Communications to raise brand awareness, maintain consistency of messaging across all platforms and promote NAMI-NYC and its programs.
• Prioritize regular evaluation of the impact of the organization and its resources, ensuring programming, current and future, is meeting the needs of NAMI-NYC’s constituency.
• Establish and maintain an environment that attracts, motivates, and retains highly qualified volunteers and staff members while championing a culture of collaboration and open communication.

Qualifications

• Minimum of ten years of demonstrated management experience in the nonprofit sector with at least seven years in a leadership position at a nonprofit with a significant budget; advanced degree in related field required.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with significant experience and track record of success in fundraising.
• Strong strategic financial and business acumen, including an understanding of operations, technology, and strategic marketing; experience in creating and managing budgets.
• Solid experience working with and supporting a board of directors, as well as experience with long-term strategic planning.
• Passionate leader who embraces transparency at all levels of the organization and has exceptional change management skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and experience cultivating and building a team of committed and achievement-focused professionals
• Ability to interact professionally with internal and external stakeholders who have diverse backgrounds, professional skills, and perspectives.
• Superior writing and verbal communication skills that are clear, concise, structured, articulate and persuasive that will enhance organizational visibility and positioning.
• Demonstrated organizational skills; able to balance multiple priorities and meet deadlines; self-motivated and proactive.
• Ability to inspire trust, communicate objectives, and motivate staff, Board, donors, and partners.
• Highest levels of integrity and professionalism, with ability and willingness to handle sensitive and confidential situations.
• Sound judgment and a strong sense of social justice and activism.
• Strong commitment to the vision and mission of NAMI-NYC; experience working in a peer-based/peer-led organization or belief in the success of a peer-to-peer model.

This position is based in NYC with a hybrid work schedule. Salary is expected to be in the range of $200k

NAMI-NYC is committed to equal opportunity in terms and condition of employment for all employees and job applications.

For more information on the National Alliance on Mental Illness of New York City, visit www.naminyc.org

To Apply:

NAMI-NYC has retained the services of Harris Rand Lusk to conduct this search. Inquiries, nominations, and applications may be directed in confidence to:

Elly Kirschner and Miriam Martinez, PhD – HRL Senior Directors

Harris Rand Lusk

260 Madison Avenue, 15^th Floor

New York, NY  10016

ekirschner@harrisrand.com

 

Please put “NAMI-NYC” in the subject line of your emailed application, which should include your resume and cover letter describing your interest in the opportunity.