Executive Director - The Mental Health Coalition

About The Mental Health CoalitionThe Mental Health Coalition (MHC) is a nonprofit dedicated to ending the stigma surrounding mental health by building the strongest coalition of organizations, brands, and individuals united behind a common cause. At its core, MHC exists to do what no single organization can do alone — connecting the unlimited needs for mental health support to the finite resources available to address it, through coalition partnership, public education, research-backed resources, and program development.To learn more about The Mental Health Coalition, visit thementalhealthcoalition.org.The OpportunityThe Mental Health Coalition occupies a unique position in the mental health landscape, a coalition of leading organizations anchored by strong brand recognition and the vision of founder Kenneth Cole, with the platform and relationships to drive meaningful change at scale. The foundation is established and what it needs now is a leader ready to build on it.The next Executive Director will be an entrepreneurial leader who sees MHC not as it is today, but as what it can become. This is a growth role — one that requires strategic acuity and business acumen to apply sound organizational principles to mission-driven work, the ability to translate the power of the coalition into quantifiable, real-world impact, proven fundraising ability to grow the organization’s revenue capacity, and the operational discipline to scale programs and infrastructure.The Executive Director will report to the Chairman and Board of Directors and will serve as the primary architect of MHC’s next chapter.Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Leadership and Organizational PositioningExpand MHC’s distinctive role and value proposition within the mental health ecosystem — what MHC does that no one else canExecute a strategic plan that makes clear choices about where MHC will and will not focus and how MHC will make unique contributions to the fieldIdentify opportunities where MHC can provide meaningful support without competing with coalition members for limited resourcesGuide the organization through a period of intentional repositioning, moving from broad awareness to deeper, more systemic impactWork with Kenneth Cole Productions team and Kenneth Cole to leverage corporate resources available to MHCCoalition Development and Member SupportStrengthen relationships with coalition members and develop strategies to meaningfully elevate their workGrow and scale the coalitionCreate substantive touchpoints and support mechanisms that go beyond quarterly callsBuild collaborative initiatives that amplify member organizations’ impactFacilitate knowledge-sharing and resource-building across the coalitionPosition MHC as a genuine partner and value-add to member organizationsProgram Development and OperationsBuild programs that deliver measurable impact and serve the coalition’s broader goalsOversee the incubation of programs within MHC and work collaboratively with the MHC program teamEnsure integration and coordination across research, programs, and communications teamsFundraising and Resource DevelopmentLead fundraising strategy to secure diverse and sustainable revenue streamsBuild and steward relationships with foundations, individual donors, and corporate sponsorsDesign and execute fundraising events aligned with MHC’s mission and brandEnsure strong donor stewardship including timely acknowledgment and relationship cultivationNavigate founder involvement thoughtfully while building organizational fundraising independenceTeam Leadership and CultureFoster a collaborative, communicative, and accountable organizational cultureManage and develop staff across program, research, and communications functionsProvide clear direction, responsive communication, and regular feedbackBuild staff capacity and support professional developmentBoard and Founder RelationsServe as primary liaison to the Chairman and Board of DirectorsWork closely with the Chairman while establishing appropriate organizational independenceOversee all board committees including finance, fundraising, and programProvide regular, candid reporting on organizational progress, challenges, and opportunitiesCollaborate with the board on strategic priorities, long-term direction, and fundraising initiativesExpand board membership and diversify board composition to strengthen governance, fundraising, and brand and program reachCommunications and Thought LeadershipEnsure MHC’s external messaging is evidence-based, clinically sound, and resonantPosition MHC to engage meaningfully with current events and cultural conversations about mental healthOversee social media strategy and coalition member amplificationGuide the organization’s approach to emerging issues including technology and AI applications in mental healthQualificationsRequiredExecutive leadership experience in non-profit or for-profit organizations with demonstrated success leading organizational change or repositioningProven experience managing a coalition, federated structure, or complex multi-stakeholder organizationDemonstrated fundraising success with foundations, individual donors, and corporate partnersStrong track record in strategic planning and organization building — particularly in defining organizational focus and making strategic tradeoffsDemonstrated marketing expertise, with a proven track record of developing and executing strategies that strengthen organizational brand, expand audience reach, and advance mission-driven goalsExperience managing cross-functional teams and building cohesive organizational culturePersonal affinity or connection to MHC’s missionComfort operating in a founder-led environment and navigating high-profile stakeholder relationshipsPreferredFamiliarity with the mental health nonprofit ecosystem and the issues shaping the fieldBackground in or deep exposure to mental health, public health, or social servicesExperience with program development, evaluation, and evidence-based approachesExisting relationships within the mental health advocacy or policy communityBackground in communications, public education, or destigmatization campaignsEssential Leadership QualitiesA builder — someone who can create clarity and structure in an organization defining itselfAn honest broker — able to navigate complex stakeholder dynamics with integrity and transparencyCollaborative but decisive — comfortable building consensus while still making clear callsGenuinely curious about mental health — willing to learn from coalition members and clinical expertsComfortable with complexity — able to hold multiple stakeholder perspectives without losing organizational focusMission-driven with a commitment to mental health access, equity, and evidence-based practiceHumble enough to know what they don’t know, and resourceful enough to fill those gapsLocationThis position is based in New York City with flexibility for hybrid work arrangements.The role requires periodic travel for coalition events, conferences, and stakeholder meetings. The Executive Director will work closely with the Chairman, Board of Directors, program staff, research team, and coalition partners.Compensation and BenefitsSalary: $250,000Incentive Pay: Additional bonus and performance-based incentive opportunitiesHealth: Comprehensive health benefitsRetirement: 401(k) planInsurance: Group life and accidental insuranceTimeline and Hiring ProcessWe will review and respond to all applications received.Candidates selected to advance can expect up to two interviews with Good Scout Group, followed by an interview with members of the MHC Board Search Committee.Additional interview rounds for finalists will be determined and may include an interview with staff and an in-person interview. Finalists will also undergo a thorough reference check process that evaluates both leadership capabilities and organizational fit.The anticipated start month is July 2026.How to ApplyQualified candidates are invited to submit the following:Résumé detailing relevant leadership experienceOne- to two-page narrative response to the following prompts:Describe your personal and/or professional connection to mental health and to MHC’s goal of ending stigma specifically.Describe your experience leading organizational scaling and transformation. What did that process look like, and what did you learn from it?Describe how you have built or grown a fundraising program or revenue generation. What was your independent contribution to that growth?Describe your experience working across complex stakeholder ecosystems where the parties involved had their own distinct priorities. How did you create shared value?No cover letter required. Submissions without a narrative and with only a standard cover letter will not be reviewed.For priority consideration, please submit all materials by May 16, 2026.Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.All inquiries and applications will be treated confidentially.Candidates may contact Good Scout Group at search@goodscoutgroup.com with questions.The Mental Health Coalition is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of our work.