Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is a leading national organization focusing on mood disorders including depression and bipolar disorder, which affects over 21 million Americans, account for over 50% of the nation’s suicides every year, and cost $23 billion in lost workdays and other workplace losses.
Through our extensive online and print resources and our support groups and chapters, DBSA reaches millions of people each year with in-person and online peer support; current, readily understandable information about depression and bipolar disorder; and empowering tools focused on an integrated approach to wellness.
DBSA publishes in peer-reviewed medical journals and conducts surveys on issues of importance to individuals living with mood disorders and those treating these disorders.
DBSA’s prestigious 40-member Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) is comprised of leading researchers and clinicians in the field of mood disorders. SAB members review DBSA publications and programs for medical and scientific accuracy. In addition, SAB members present at DBSA conferences, author peer-reviewed manuscripts on behalf of the organization, and represent DBSA to the media.
DBSA is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization and depends upon public support to achieve its vital mission to empower and educate peers…and save lives. Roughly 85% of DBSA’s budget comes from charitable contributions, which include gifts and grants from corporations, foundations, individuals, and government agencies. The remaining 15% of DBSA’s budget comes from earned revenues, chapter affiliation and membership fees, program dues, contracted work in training and consultation, and event and publication fees.
DBSA’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
DBSA recognizes the unique ways identity, culture, and access affect people living with mood disorders. We strive to create safe and inclusive spaces for individuals to feel empowered on their own path to wellness. DBSA seeks to create equitable access to peer support services and mental health resources and advocate for all individuals with a lived experience with a mood disorder, regardless of cultural and social identity or systemic barriers.
Our Team Values
Integrity
- Perform at the highest standards. We strive for best in class.
- Be honest in our interactions and develop trusting relationships.
- Take personal, and where appropriate, team responsibility for results.
- Acknowledge what we don’t know.
Openness
- Demonstrate a willingness to continuously learn, grow, and change.
- Celebrate our differences.
- Be present, curious, and receptive to new and different ideas and situations.
Mindfulness
- Ask for help and reciprocate help when needed.
- Respect each other’s perspectives, experiences, and sensitivities.
- Be mindful of our individual impact on the work environment.
- Speak with thoughtfulness. We think before we speak.
Collaboration
- Show a willingness to give up personal ownership for the greater good/outcome.
- Work together to foster individual and organizational growth.
- Create an environment where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
- Have a holistic view of the work of the organization.
- Remain flexible to achieve optimal outcomes.
Dedication to an Equitable Workplace
DBSA is committed to equal employment opportunity for all employees, and to providing employees with a work environment free of any form of discrimination and harassment. DBSA is committed to achieving a diverse workforce through our equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies in all aspects of employment including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training. At DBSA, we make a point to celebrate our differences and respect each other’s unique perspectives. In fact, it is core to the work we do.
Executive Assistant/Board Liaison
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Scope of Role
The Executive Assistant ensures a high-functioning executive office with experienced, diplomatic, and proactive support to the CEO. The Executive Assistant will be required to learn about and understand the structure of DBSA both internally and externally to provide senior-level assistance to the CEO to help DBSA make progress on organizational initiatives. This includes the coordination of activities and ensuring the timely flow of information to and from the executive office. This position will handle details of a highly confidential and critical nature and must function efficiently and effectively in a fast-paced professional environment. The Executive Assistant also serves as the liaison to the DBSA board of directors and support to the Development staff. This position requires excellent organizational and project management skills, computer software and database experience, and the ability to communicate with a diverse array of constituencies. This position is full-time, 37.5 hours/week, non-exempt, with excellent benefits.
Duties & Responsibilities
Executive Support
- Provide experienced C-suite administrative support and coordination to the CEO including calendar management, drafting correspondence, making travel arrangements, preparing expense reports, drafting reports, presentations, and background materials for the CEO.
- Provide assistance in organizational initiatives including but not limited to the compilation and maintenance of reports such as for DBSA strategic plan, and key performance indicator dashboard.
- Anticipate the CEO’s needs and act accordingly by proactively bringing together appropriate people and resources to support in addressing issues.
- Prepare, produce, and distribute background and briefing materials and itineraries related to CEO’s meetings, presentations, conferences, and travel, coordinate with DBSA management team and staff, when necessary.
Board Liaison
- Work with Board of Directors and staff to prepare for all board and board committee meetings, including agenda & materials; logistics & communications; minutes preparation and other related assignments
- Assist CEO with some personal contact with Board members, Scientific Advisory Board members, committee members, and other stakeholders on matters not requiring executive attention
- Attend and provide administrative assistance at all board and committee meetings
Development/Project Management
- Manage assigned budget areas, including reviewing invoices, contracts, tracking expenditures, and preparing reports.
- Responsible for revenue entry (ImportOmatic), gift acknowledgments, tribute acknowledgements, tax letters mailings, and PostOmatic reconciliation.
- Maintain the integrity, maintenance and establish procedures for DBSA’s Raiser’s Edge database.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
These describe the general nature and level of work performed and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties that may be performed by a person in this position. The requirements of this position are subject to change with or without prior notice.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required or related/related years of experience.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience, ideally in a high-performing environment with supervisory and/or project management experience.
- Strong analytical and quantitative skills and demonstrated critical thinking ability.
- Outstanding interpersonal and diplomatic skills and a high-energy approach to staff and volunteer management.
- Excellent written and oral communications skills, including assisting in the creation of presentation materials. Must be able to communicate and represent information for executive level consideration both internally and with board and volunteer leadership.
- Strong organizational and computer skills (MS Office Suite –Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Great attention to detail.
- Proven ability to develop and manage systems and processes, as well as organize and prioritize multiple complex projects and tasks.
- Experience managing budgets and goals.
- Must be able to perform responsibilities with composure under the stress of deadlines.
- Must be capable of exercising highest level of discretion on both internal and external confidential matters.
- Experience with Raiser’s Edge, Blackbaud Suite or Omatic is preferred.
- Evening/weekend work may be required on occasion, along with the need for flexibility in arranging work schedule.
Benefits
Salary Information: $58,000 – $62,000 annually.
This is a non-exempt (hourly) full-time position with generous benefits including health, dental, vision, disability, 401K, and life insurance. The position will primarily work standard hours of 8:30 am – 5:00 pm, with flexible start/end times possible. Periodic evening or weekend hours may be required.
Currently, this position will require two days (Monday & Wednesday) in the office. DBSA is headquartered in the Chicago Loop. The candidate may work the remaining workdays either from the office or remotely. This policy may be reviewed and revised.
Please send cover letter and resume to jobs@dbsalliance.org.
Community Engagement Manager
Reports to: Director, Peer & Policy Engagement
Scope of Role
The Community Engagement Manager creates, develops, and implements programs for DBSA participants for whom speaking out and sharing their voice is a crucial component of their wellness toolkit. Areas of specific responsibility include planning and developing a strategy for the implementation of peer councils (focus groups) and recruitment of individuals to participate in legislative support and community awareness programs. Key to this position is developing and maintaining external relationships that contribute to the financial success of these programs including identifying and delivering on outcomes that add value to external partners and keep them engaged in funding the programs.
Duties & Responsibilities
Communication
- Works with Director of Peer & Policy Engagement to institute and maintain mechanisms for open communication between DBSA and:
- DBSA advocates,
- other patient advocacy organizations,
- coalition partners,
- pharmaceutical and biotech industry partners, and
- the community at large.
Peer councils (focus groups), research, and continuing medical education (CME) programming
- Manages recruitment, implementation and outcome measurements for industry sponsored research, focus groups, and peer council requests.
- Provides leadership to grow DBSA’s capacity by creating and implementing programs that create awareness and value of research, clinical trial, and peer council (focus group) opportunities for DBSA advocates.
- Support externally funded research projects which include DBSA as a subcontractor, up to and including representing DBSA on committees, as assigned.
- Works with the Director of Peer & Policy Engagement and the Communications team to help plan, coordinate, and implement all educational activities for CME provider partners.
Policy advocacy
- Collaborates with partners to maximize public policy (legislative & regulatory) advocacy.
- Identifies and cultivates relationships with other mental health and advocacy organizations that are working toward the same objectives.
- Assist with creation and submission of comment and support letters for issues around access to quality mental healthcare and peer support.
- Participate in the creation of programs that mobilize the DBSA community of mental health advocates to take action on legislative actions through written and in-person communication.
- Provide Director of Peer & Policy Engagement with introductions to advocates who are willing to speak publicly, including but not limited to providing testimony and/or speaking with the media on how they and/or family member is personally affected by access to peer support and/or quality mental health care.
- Assist Director of Peer & Policy Engagement to provide training to advocates to be successful representatives of DBSA.
All other duties as assigned
Qualifications
This position requires prior demonstrated success in managing and coordinating programs and developing and implementing new programs that create awareness and mobilization. The ideal candidate will have experience with program planning, implementation, and evaluation. The qualified candidate will also have the following qualifications:
- Possesses excellent speaking, presentation skills, written and verbal skills.
- Demonstrated success with community education and creating public awareness for systemic change.
- Bachelor’s degree or similar work experience in community organizing required.
- Master’s degree in public health, social work or other related field preferred.
- Some travel in the metropolitan area and throughout the state makes a valid driver’s license preferred.
Benefits
Salary information: $54,000 – USD $59,000 annually
This is a full-time position with benefits including health, dental, vision, disability, 401K and life insurance. Position will primarily work standard hours of 8:30 am – 5:00 pm, flexible start/end times possible. Periodic evening or weekend hours may be required.
Currently, this position will require two days (Monday & Wednesday) in the office. DBSA is headquartered in the Chicago Loop. The candidate may work the remaining workdays either from the office or remotely. This policy may be reviewed and revised.
Please send cover letter and resume to jobs@dbsalliance.org. Cover letters are strongly recommended.
