Director of Training and Engagement

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Description
Type: Full-Time
Reports to: Chief Program Officer
Office Location: 224 W. Hill St., Suite 410 Chicago IL; required in-office minimum of 3 days per week (hybrid work policy subject to change)
Work Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Some evenings or weekends are required.

Background
Guided by the experiences of those living with mental health conditions and rooted in equity, NAMI Chicago educates to fight stigma and discrimination, fiercely advocates for our community, and shares hope, connection, and expertise with people on their mental health journey. NAMI Chicago seeks to fill gaps in Chicago's mental health system, with an intentional emphasis on racial equity and breaking down barriers to care.

Who We Are Looking For
The Director of Training and Engagement leads the Training and Engagement team and plays a critical role in advancing NAMI Chicago’s mission by building our training center of excellence, overseeing training services, and strengthening community engagement. The Director will also shape NAMI Chicago’s educational narrative around mental health, raise awareness of our Helpline and other program offerings, and foster connections with local providers and organizations.

Reporting to the Chief Program Officer, the Director will lead the development and implementation of targeted outreach strategies across key stakeholder groups including outreach based on program focus (e.g., law enforcement, government partners, healthcare providers, students), ensuring tailored engagement and collaboration. This position will drive innovation in training and engagement through thought leadership, measurement strategies, and best practices. The Director will also analyze engagement and workplace culture metrics to inform strategy, with the ultimate goal of positioning NAMI Chicago as a leading hub for education, support, collaboration, advocacy, and thought leadership for the current and aspiring mental health workforce.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Represent NAMI Chicago in meetings and other gatherings representing NAMI Chicago’s perspective and content expertise.
• Sustain and expand circle of community and professional relationships.
• Ensure consistency of training and educational content and experience across the Training & Engagement team and within other program departments.
• Maintain an inclusive approach, encouraging feedback from staff across all internal departments and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the Leadership Team to ensure the marketing, content, and communications produce consistent, forward-thinking, inclusive touchpoints.
• Oversee and execute targeted community engagement strategies aligned with program-specific outreach needs.
• Direct community engagement efforts with a focus on specific outreach initiatives, ensuring tailored engagement strategies for diverse sectors such as law enforcement, healthcare providers, government agencies, and students.
• Collaborate with the Program Evaluation team to oversee quality assurance activities for training and education programs.
• Provide strategic leadership in expanding NAMI Chicago’s training offerings and directing curriculum development.
• Engage with external partners to promote NAMI Chicago’s training and education offerings and support partner cultivation.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Demonstrates ability to well-serve underrepresented and vulnerable populations, including social and racial/ethnic minorities as well as those living with mental illnesses and/or substance use disorders.
• Proven record of success working in a diverse environment that includes people of different identities, including but not limited to race,…