Executive Director – Rise Against Suicide

Executive Director – Rise Against Suicide

Rise Against Suicide is a Colorado-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to help youth at risk of suicide by removing the financial and social barriers to treatment, enabling them to find hope and healing.

Rise Against Suicide funds mental health therapy for uninsured and underinsured youth experiencing suicidal ideation, connecting young people and families with qualified mental health providers and helping ensure that cost is not a barrier to receiving care.

The Executive Director serves as the strategic organizational leader working in partnership with the Board of Directors and empowering a dedicated staff team to advance the organization's mission.

As a small, growing nonprofit the Executive Director must be a community thought-leader, while comfortable guiding both big-picture strategy and hands-on problem solving within the organization, to shape Rise's next chapter of impact and sustainability. They will empower a talented staff team while recognizing when specialized expertise from clinical, legal, financial, human resources or other external partners is needed.

Because Rise's work sits at the intersection of nonprofit leadership and youth mental health, the Executive Director also brings clinical or behavioral health experience that enables informed leadership around program quality, best practices, risk, and the evolving needs of the young people and families Rise serves.

• Partner with the Board to establish and advance Rise's strategic vision, priorities, and goals.
• Build actionable annual plans with clear priorities, accountability, and measures of success.
• Assess organizational opportunities, challenges, and risks and make thoughtful decisions that support both immediate needs and long-term sustainability.
• Maintain organizational policies, practices, and systems to support effective and compliant operations.
• Provide the Board with timely, transparent information on performance, opportunities, challenges, and emerging issues
• Ensure Rise operates in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and policies.

• Ensure services are youth- and family-centered, maintaining current best practices in youth mental health, suicide prevention, and trauma-informed care.
• Provide guidance on clinical and programmatic policies, protocols, and complex situations, partnering with external experts to ensure ethical, effective, and compliant service delivery.
• Act as a community thought-leader and advocate furthering awareness of youth mental health and suicide prevention.
• Supervise and support the Program Manager in implementing, evaluating, and improving programs including identifying opportunities to increase capacity.
• Ensure program policies and procedures are implemented consistently and adjusted as needed.
• Use program data, outcomes, and emerging research to evaluate effectiveness and impact.
• Cultivate and oversee research and evaluation partnerships with academic and community partners to broaden understanding of effective youth suicide prevention.
• Build relationships with providers, schools, and community organizations, serving youth and families.
• Represent Rise in relevant community conversations, advocacy efforts, and initiatives.
• People, Culture & Operations
• Lead, supervise, and develop staff, including the Program Manager, Development & Communications Manager, and Outreach Manager
• Create clear accountability while empowering team members to lead within their areas of expertise.
• Foster a culture rooted in collaboration, trust, equity, compassion, and continuous learning with a focus on burnout prevention.
• Establish clear goals and expectations, providing meaningful feedback and opportunities for growth.
• Oversee HR functions, including but not limited to recruitment, retention, and staff well-being, engaging outside expertise when appropriate.
• Manage systems such as contracts, insurance, leases, technology policies and agreements with strong business acumen.
• Continually assess for opportunities to improve operational efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability.
• Balance growth with the personal connection and collaborative culture central to Rise's identity.

Fundraising, Marketing & External Relations

• Serve as a visible and compelling ambassador and subject matter expert, building strong relationships with donors, funders, community partners, elected officials, mental health professionals, volunteers, and other diverse audiences.
• Provide strategic leadership on fundraising efforts and community engagement in partnership with the Development & Communications Manager, Board of Directors, and other staff.
• Cultivate and steward major donors, foundations, corporate partners, and other key supporters.
• Identify opportunities to diversify and grow revenue and strengthen long-term financial sustainability.
• Support grant strategy and the cultivation of institutional funders.
• Provide…