Project Manager, Alternative Crisis Response Initiatives

Overview

• Position: Project Manager, Alternative Crisis Response Initiatives
• Job Type: Full-Time, Exempt; 2-Year Term (Grant funded)
• Reports to: Executive Director
• Application Deadline: April 11, 2025
• Compensation: $72,000 – $88,000, commensurate with experience.

About Us

Dignity Best Practices is a nonprofit consulting firm dedicated to helping local governments design and implement effective crisis response solutions. We support communities in launching pilot programs and improving practices that ensure the right fit-for-purpose response for individuals in distress. Our work spans behavioral health crisis care, public safety transformation, and conflict resolution. We take a collaborative, cross-agency approach, bringing together stakeholders such as clinicians, peer specialists, mediators, law enforcement, fire and EMS personnel, hospitals, sheriff’s offices, 911 and 988 call centers, and city and county leaders. By fostering partnerships, shared responsibility, and evidence-based strategies, we help communities build safer, more responsive systems for people in crisis or conflict.

Our Mission: Dignity Best Practices supports the wellbeing of people in crisis or conflict by helping communities improve the quality of services at the intersections of public safety and behavioral health.

Our Vision: All people, regardless of background or status, are treated with dignity and given practical help by their local systems of public safety and public health.

Position Summary

We are seeking a Project Manager to lead a two-year, grant-funded initiative supporting the recruitment and development of field mediation teams in two to three jurisdictions. This role is part of an emerging effort to elevate conflict mediation as a viable alternative response to non-violent 911 calls, reducing reliance on punitive interventions and strengthening community-based solutions. As a Project Manager, you will play a pivotal role in helping jurisdictions establish and refine Mediation Response Units (MRUs), leveraging best practices from successful pilots. By leading the expansion of MRUs, you will contribute to a national shift in public safety strategies, ensuring communities have access to non-punitive crisis response options that build long-term safety and trust.

In this role, you will be responsible for guiding each jurisdiction through a one-year pilot, providing technical assistance and strategic support to ensure successful program implementation. As the project lead, you will own the outcome of working closely with local government partners, field teams, and stakeholders to develop, launch, and refine their mediation models. This includes creating structured work plans, facilitating learning and collaboration, and ensuring each jurisdiction has the resources and guidance needed to succeed.

This is a hands-on role that requires a blend of strategic thinking and execution, as well as the ability to navigate complex local government environments. The Project Manager will serve as the public face of the initiative, delivering presentations, convening stakeholders, and ensuring strong client relationships. While this role is funded for two years, successful implementation may lead to expansion opportunities or additional funding for ongoing work.

Responsibilities

We’re looking for a dynamic project manager who can lead with confidence, create impactful deliverables, and foster strong client and partner relationships.

Project Leadership

• Develop and oversee comprehensive work plans with clear timelines, scope, and staffing needs based on available resources.
• Provide strong leadership and clear communication to both internal teams and clients, ensuring expectations are met and high-quality outcomes are delivered.

Individual Contributor

• Create frameworks, facilitation plans, presentations, meeting agendas, reports, and other materials tailored to client needs and project objectives.
• Ensure all content and client engagements are clear, actionable, and aligned with the organization’s mission, driving meaningful impact.

Partnership Development

• Build relationships with pilot sites and governmental jurisdictions.
• Identify, cultivate and sustain strategic partnerships that align with organizational values and project goals.
• Contribute to partnership development efforts that strengthen networks and create new opportunities for collaboration.

Team Contribution

• Actively participate in key organizational activities such as team retreats, business development initiatives, and thought leadership efforts.
• Provide support on other client projects through research, writing, framework-building, and meeting facilitation as needed.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in both strategy and execution, enjoys leading teams, and is passionate about delivering high-quality work while building meaningful relationships.

Requirements

We’re looking for a strategic thinker and doer—someone who can seamlessly shift between high-level planning and hands-on execution. If you’re comfortable managing projects, engaging with local governments, and serving as a public-facing representative, we strongly encourage you to apply.

What You Bring:

• Project Management Experience – You’ve successfully led and managed projects in some capacity, ensuring milestones are met and stakeholders are aligned.
• Local Government Engagement – You have experience working with or alongside local governments, whether as an employee, consultant, or community-based organization staff person or community organizer.
• Strategic & Hands-On Execution – You’re comfortable toggling between big-picture strategy and rolling up your sleeves to get the work done.
• Communications & Presentation Skills – You can confidently design and deliver presentations, represent initiatives externally, and engage with diverse audiences.

Nice to Have:

• Field Team Experience – You understand the dynamics of a field-based workforce, especially those working in shifts, and what it takes to build and launch a successful field team.
• Experience with Asana

Search Process Timeline

We are committed to a thoughtful and engaging hiring process to ensure a strong fit for this role. Our process includes a pre-screen interview, a performance-based activity, and a final team interview. The selected candidate will begin in June 2025.

• Application Period: Open through April 13, 2025
• Pre-Screen Interviews (April 14 – April 18): Shortlisted candidates will participate in a 30-minute initial interview to discuss qualifications, experience, and alignment with the role.
• Performance-Based Activity (April 21 – April 25): Selected candidates will complete a brief project-related exercise to demonstrate their approach to key aspects of the role.
• Final Team Interviews (May 5 - May 8): Candidates advancing from the performance activity will be invited to a final interview with the team.
• Decision & Offer (Week of May 12th): Finalists will undergo reference checks, and the selected candidate will receive an offer.
• Start Date: Mid-to-late June 2025

Our organization is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected status. We encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.