Project Director, Project RISE- A00747

Mercy University Careers; Village of Dobbs Ferry (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Mercy University seeks a Grant Project Director for Project RISE to lead a federally funded suicide prevention grant across multiple campuses. The role emphasizes strategic direction, program development, and rigorous evaluation to promote student mental health and resilience.

The director will manage budgets, reporting, and cross‑campus collaboration, with on-site duties at the Dobbs Ferry campus and occasional travel to Bronx/Manhattan campuses as needed.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a related field (Public Health, Higher Education Administration, Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Health Administration, or related).
• Experience in higher education.
• Knowledge of suicide prevention, mental health promotion, crisis intervention, and postvention best practices.
• Experience with SAMHSA, CDC, HRSA, or other federal grant programs.
• Familiarity with program evaluation and performance measurement.

Responsibilities

• Direct all aspects of grant implementation per goals, timelines and budget.
• Serve as primary contact with funding agency and grant officers.
• Coordinate campus and community partnerships for suicide prevention and wellness.
• Oversee training initiatives for faculty, staff, and students using programs like QPR and Mental Health First Aid.
• Monitor outcomes, analyze data, and report performance measures for continuous improvement.
• Develop sustainability plans and seek additional funding opportunities.

Skills

Higher education experience

Suicide prevention knowledge

Crisis intervention knowledge

Grant management

Data-informed decision making

Collaboration across campuses

Education

Master's degree

Job description

Job Summary:
Grant Project Director, Project RISE- (Resilience, Intervention, Support and Empowerment)

We are seeking a dedicated and collaborative Project Director for a 12-month/4-year Grant funded appointment. The Project Director provides strategic leadership and overall management of Project RISE (Resilience, Intervention, Support and Empowerment) a federally funded suicide prevention grant. The position is responsible for ensuring successful implementation of grant activities, achievement of program objectives, compliance with grant requirements, collaboration with campus and community partners, and evaluation of program outcomes on all three campuses. The Project Director serves as the primary liaison with the funding agency and leads efforts to build a comprehensive, data-informed, campus-wide approach to mental health promotion and suicide prevention. This position is based on the Dobbs Ferry campus. Regular on-site presence is required, with limited opportunities for remote work based on departmental needs and supervisor approval. Travel to the Bronx and Manhattan campuses as needed.

Essential Job Functions & Responsibilities:

Grant Leadership and Administration

• Direct all aspects of grant implementation in accordance with approved goals, objectives, timelines, and budget.
• Serve as the primary contact with the funding agency and grant officers.
• Prepare and submit required progress reports, performance measures, and other grant deliverables.
• Monitor grant expenditures and collaborate with finance personnel to ensure fiscal compliance.

Program Development and Implementation

• Lead implementation of evidence-based suicide prevention, mental health promotion, and help-seeking initiatives.
• Coordinate screening, referral, postvention, and crisis response activities as outlined in the grant.
• Ensure grant activities align with JED institutional strategic priorities and student wellness goals.

Campus and Community Collaboration

• Chair or coordinate a multidisciplinary campus suicide prevention team.
• Foster partnerships among on and off campus community partners such as, Counseling Services, Health Services, Student Engagement, Campus Safety, Residence Life, Academic Affairs, Accessibility Services, and other community providers.
• Develop referral pathways and collaborative protocols to support students at risk.

Training and Education

• Oversee campus-wide suicide prevention training initiatives for faculty, staff, students, and student leaders.
• Coordinate implementation of programs such as QPR, Mental Health First Aid, SOS, or other approved training courses.
• Increase awareness of mental health resources and crisis intervention services.

Evaluation and Data Management

• Monitor project outcomes and performance indicators.
• Analyze institutional and survey data to assess program effectiveness.
• Collaborate with evaluators to develop reports and identify opportunities for quality improvement.
• Utilize data to drive decision-making and demonstrate grant impact.

Sustainability and Strategic Planning

• Develop sustainability plans to maintain successful programs beyond the grant period.
• Seek additional funding opportunities and partnerships to support continued growth.
• Integrate successful initiatives into existing university structures and policies.

Required Skills & Experience:

• Master's degree in Public Health, Higher Education Administration, Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Health Administration, or a related field.
• Experience in higher education.
• Knowledge of suicide prevention, mental health promotion, crisis intervention, and postvention best practices.
• Experience with SAMHSA, CDC, HRSA, or other federal grant programs.
• Familiarity with program evaluation and performance measurement.
• Travel to other Mercy University Campuses as needed for events/trainings