Executive Director

The Organization

As San Francisco grapples with an unprecedented mental health crisis, low-income individuals and marginalized communities experience the greatest impact. Against this backdrop, Access Institute for Psychological Services (Access Institute) fills the gap by providing direct services to meet community needs for mental health services, while training the next generation of mental health professionals. The Institute stands out for the high quality of its services and its rigorous training curriculum that values human complexity, supports socially conscious practices, and promotes sustained human growth. The Institute’s innovative partnerships and multi-level approach create a citywide “mental health safety net” with impact that extends deep and wide across San Francisco, providing essential support to adults, young children, families, teachers, elders, caregivers and more. The Access Institute model allows comprehensive mental health services to be made accessible and affordable to virtually anyone who needs care.

The Opportunity

The need for Access Institute’s high-quality psychological care and community-centered clinician training program has never been greater. Access Institute is entering an exciting new era following 20 years of successful leadership under the founding director. Despite being highly regarded, Access Institute remains a relatively hidden resource. To meet increasing demand for high-quality psychological care among those with the greatest need and least access—while training the next generation of mental health professionals—will require strong leadership, an elevated public profile for Access, and expanded fundraising and partnerships.

The Board of Directors seeks a strategic, entrepreneurial Executive Director (ED) to lead the organization into its next phase of prominence and growth by securing broader sources of funding and targeted strategic partnerships guided by the 2024-2029 strategic plan. Our ideal candidate is deeply committed to serving the community and will boldly advance the organization's mission to expand support to others who remain in critical need of services. The new ED will work in collaboration with the board and staff to provide strong organizational leadership and stewardship, elevate the organization’s profile, develop new partnerships and new revenue streams, and make business decisions that strengthen its current operations and drive organizational growth.

Organizational Impact Highlights

• Delivered more than 13,500 sessions of free and low-fee mental health care in 2023
• Served 720 diverse, low income individuals and families in 2023 ranging from 7 to 88 years old
• Provided mental health care to students, families, and communities at seven San Francisco elementary schools; all families served were living below the poverty line and by the end of the year, 95% of students showed improvements with 70% making significant gains across multiple domains
• Achieved continued excellence in its training programs, including our Doctoral Internship (accredited by the American Psychological Association), our Postgraduate Fellowship and, through a new partnership with UCSF, a cutting-edge Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Training Program
• More than 190 clinicians from 18 classes have graduated from these three programs to date

Key Responsibilities

Development, Communications, and Strategic Growth - 50%

Organizational Leadership - 30%

Budget and Fiscal Management - 20%

Ideal Candidate Qualities and Qualifications

You identify as a bold, ambitious, entrepreneurial leader with a bias for action who relishes the opportunity to lead a high quality organization, build major funding relationships and partnerships, expand programs and drive progress forward. You delight in connecting partners and donors to greater opportunities for impact and meaningful relationships. You’re most fulfilled when empowering teammates to identify, leverage, and amplify their unique skills and talents.

In addition, you bring :

Our Team : Culture, Salary, and Benefits

Whether an individual joins us as the organization’s leader, a staff member, fellow or intern, Access Institute is committed to building an inclusive, supportive place for everyone to do their best and most rewarding work. We strive to create a welcoming, collaborative environment where people are free to ask questions and seek deeper understanding of the work and each other.

The salary range for this full-time, exempt hybrid position is $160k to $180k annually and the Executive Director will work from our Gough Street office located in Hayes Valley. Current benefits include :

Equal Opportunity

Access Institute is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Access Institute are based on organizational needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, age or disability status. We are committed to and celebrate diversity in our workplace and encourage applicants of all backgrounds to apply and to reference diversity in their cover letter.

Salary : $160,000 - $180,000