The Board of Directors of Families as Allies announces an opening for the position of Executive Director of the organization. (Download the job description here.)
This is an exciting opportunity to lead a family-run organization that not only partners with and supports families every day, but is also making a difference in the very fabric of the state’s infrastructure for children. If our mission and this opportunity resonate with you and you meet the minimum requirements for the job, please read more about the position and how to apply. You will be required to complete the application and submit a letter of interest, resume, and evidence of the ability to generate funding.
The executive director oversees all aspects of Families as Allies and ensures the organization functions consistently with the National Federation of Families’ definition of family-driven practice, as well as Families as Allies’:
- Mission: To make sure families are partners in their children’s care. By this, we mean that Mississippi’s system of care will be family-driven.
- Core values: We value EVERY child and family, excellence, partnership and accountability.
- Beliefs about families:
- Families know their children better than anyone.
- Families are their children’s strongest advocates.
- Systems should adhere to laws and policies regarding the rights of families and children.
In addition to modeling and facilitating family-driven practice within Families as Allies and the system of care for children in Mississippi, the executive director is responsible for fiscal sustainability and management, program oversight, partnerships and advocacy, and personnel management.
The position requires the ability to reflect on and explain the mission of Families as Allies, the principles of family-driven practice, and the values of lived expertise. Above-average verbal and written communication skills are essential. The position also requires an accurate understanding of policies across child-serving systems and the ability to relate to a wide range of stakeholder groups, engaging them in the organization’s mission. Applicants must be able to manage multiple funding sources and comply with all relevant requirements of those funding sources.
Applicants are required to have a Bachelor’s degree or higher in a related field, at least three years of relevant experience, and demonstrated success in generating funding. They must be able to pass credit checks related to the position. All Families as Allies employees must be authorized to work in the United States and are required to have reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license, access to reliable Wi-Fi when working remotely, and the ability to pass relevant criminal and child-abuse registry checks.
Preference will be given to applicants with lived experience as a parent or caregiver of a child with a mental health challenge, disability, or special healthcare need, or those who have used their lived or professional experience to influence changes in practices, policies, or systems from provider-driven to family-driven approaches. Preference will also be given to applicants who have extensive experience in acquiring and managing federal, state or foundation grants or similar funding.
A graduate degree in a related field with at least seven years of administrative experience that includes staff supervision and training is preferred.
Founded in 1992, Families as Allies is a statewide organization run by and for families of children with behavioral health challenges, special healthcare needs, and other related issues. As families, we support each other and work together to make things better for our children. We support families, those working with families and positive change in the state.
Families as Allies provides support to at least 600 families, while training and supporting approximately 400 providers annually in being family-driven. We reach thousands of Mississippians every year with our messaging about how to ensure that every child has the opportunity to reach their potential and succeed. We serve on multiple policy committees and collaborate with policymakers and child-serving systems to improve the system of care for children. We have been involved in, and often led, most policy and legislative efforts to improve mental health support for children since our inception.
We are accepting applications for this position through January 16, 2026, and interviews will be conducted in the last two weeks of January 2026. If necessary, second interviews will be conducted during the first week of February. We anticipate a start date of March 1, 2026. Questions about this announcement can be sent to info@faams.org. Phone inquiries about the announcement or position will not be accepted.
