About Us

The vision of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing is to make mental wellbeing, including recovery from substance use challenges, a reality for everyone. Despite overwhelming need, nearly 30 million people across the U.S. do not have access to comprehensive, high-quality, affordable mental health and substance use care when they need it.

Founded in 1969, the National Council is a membership organization that drives policy and social change on behalf of nearly 3,300 mental health and substance use prevention, treatment and recovery organizations and the more than 10 million children, adults and families they serve. We advocate for policies to ensure equitable access to high-quality services and support. We build the capacity of mental health and substance use treatment organizations. And we promote greater understanding of mental wellbeing as a core component of comprehensive health and health care. Through our Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) program, we have trained more than 3 million people in the U.S. to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges.

The National Council is growing rapidly to meet this moment; both our budget ($77M) and passionate staff (250+) have grown more than 50% since 2020. In addition, while we maintain office space in Washington, DC, we are a remote-first organization, meaning our employees work remotely from their locations across the United States.

We are an equal-opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and commit ourselves to creating an inclusive environment for everyone.

Position Summary

As the Manager, Business & Strategy, you will function as a valued team member of the Business & Strategy Department and work closely with the Director(s) and Vice President of Business & Strategy. Your primary responsibilities are focused on supporting the National Council's efforts to invest in mission- and member-aligned start-up companies in the mental health and substance use space with an emphasis on impact investing, secure new and strengthen existing partnership relationships, and maintain a presence at the forefront of the behavioral health and larger healthcare landscape. Successful candidates will have a high proclivity towards attention to details, project management, organization, and customer service.

This is an individual contributor role. While this position can be done remotely from anywhere in the US, you must primarily work US Eastern time business hours of 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM ET.

Responsibilities

Business Opportunity Assessment and Exploration (25%)

• Develop new standard operating procedures (SOPs) and processes to track and manage new business opportunities from initial assessment through due diligence and execution of opportunity.
• Conduct comprehensive market research to identify emerging trends, competitive landscapes, and potential market opportunities - all informed by National Council Members and Subject Matter Experts internal and external to the organization.
• Evaluate the financial viability of new business opportunities through cost-benefit analysis, ROI calculations and financial modeling.
• Conduct feasibility explorations to assess the technical, operational, and logistics aspects of proposed business initiatives, both for the National Council and our audience.
• Identify and quantify potential financial, programmatic, and reputational risks associated with new opportunities.
• Communicate with other departments as needed to ensure alignment of relationship activities with the organization's strategic goals and priorities.

Venture Capital Activity Management (65%)

• Assist across all stages of deal execution from sourcing of new deals, preparation of investment memos and other due diligence, through to reporting existing successful exit opportunities to pertinent stakeholders
• Prepare market analyses and presentations to drive investment decisions, including initial assessment and due diligence activities on new investment opportunities
• Reading/reviewing business plans and pitch decks
• Identify and evaluate potential investments in innovative startups and new technologies
• Use financial models and market research to assess the viability and growth potential of companies
• Support new strategies and standard operating procedures (SOPs) that strengthen our organizational capacity to source, assess and execute investment and commercial partnership agreements
• Track and manage investments and relationships related to VC investing using project management tools (e.g., CRM, deal flow trackers)
• Monitor the National Council's progress against strategic milestones and performance for VC investment activities

Other Organization Activities (10%)

• Contribute to the development of the National Council's strategy for attracting new business, including potential funders, strategic/affiliate members, and other partners
• Mentor and provide guidance to staff that are exploring business development opportunities as a means of developing a stronger culture of business development
• Communicate work and progress to internal staff and at department meetings
• Draft department-wide communication, as needed
• Participate in department and all staff meetings

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred (or equivalent additional years of experience).
• At least 3-5 years of experience in a combination of project management, clinical services, system delivery reform, fundraising, business development, or investment services (VC investment preferred).
• High attention to detail, organization, project management and customer service.
• Demonstrated organizational and project management skills, and ability to complete tasks as assigned, within timelines.
• Ability to contribute to a strong team-based environment
• Exceptional verbal, written, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to travel up to 10%
• Knowledge in one or several of the following domains: mental health, substance use, healthcare, fundraising, non-profits, venture capital, investment banking, financial forecasting/modeling preferred.