Project Manager for Substance Use Prevention

Would you like to join a growing, compassionate team of people who share a vision for a brighter future? El Futuro is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization and leading provider of behavioral mental health treatment and support services. We operate clinics across central North Carolina, specializing in services for Spanish-speaking individuals. Our mission is to nurture stronger familias to live out their dreams.

El Futuro is currently hiring a full-time Project Manager for Substance Use Prevention to lead statewide initiatives through Sin Ataduras focused on substance use prevention, early intervention, harm reduction, and community engagement. Working closely with the Director of Substance Use Programs, El Futuro staff, youth-serving programs, and community partners, this role combines strategic project leadership with relationship building and statewide partnership development.

The Project Manager is responsible for moving complex initiatives from concept through implementation, including managing work plans, timelines, budgets, performance measures, evaluation activities, grant requirements, and stakeholder accountability. The position also builds trusted partnerships, identifies opportunities for program growth, represents El Futuro in the community, and expands the reach and impact of culturally responsive substance use initiatives across North Carolina.

The ideal candidate is a self-starter who thrives on building relationships, creating new opportunities, and turning ideas into action. They are energized by meeting new people, developing strategic partnerships, representing the organization in the community, and navigating complex projects. Success in this role requires an individual who can simultaneously build relationships and drive results, pursuing opportunities proactively while ensuring projects are executed with excellence.

This position works 37.5 hours per week, hybrid schedule, with one day in-person required at the Durham clinic, and must be available for Friday morning meetings, 9:00-11:00am. The typical schedule includes occasional evenings and weekends.

The annual salary starts at $55,000.00. El Futuro provides employer paid dental, vision, life, and long-term disability; 403B matching; generous PTO and paid holidays; paid family medical leave; paid parental leave; and paid time off for professional development.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Project Manager for Substance Use Prevention performs the following essential functions, either independently or in coordination with program staff and external partners. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions:

Project Management and Program Implementation

• Lead statewide substance use prevention, early intervention, and harm reduction initiatives by engaging community partners, coordinating activities, and identifying opportunities to expand implementation and impact.
• Lead implementation of Sin Ataduras projects, ensuring successful execution of grant deliverables, work plans, timelines, performance measures, data collection activities, and reporting requirements.
• Develop and maintain project plans, implementation schedules, accountability structures, and risk-mitigation strategies.
• Organize priorities, assign responsibilities, manage timelines, monitor performance, and ensure deliverables are completed on time, within budget, and in alignment with program objectives.
• Identify risks and implementation challenges, develop practical solutions, and adapt project strategies to maintain momentum and achieve project goals.
• Oversee youth engagement and prevention activities in collaboration with El Futuro staff and other stakeholders.
• Lead program planning and evaluation activities, including logic model implementation, outcome measurement, focus groups, quality improvement, and grant reporting.
• Monitor project budgets in collaboration with the finance team, including expenditure tracking, budget forecasting, and resource planning.
• Maintain accurate project documentation, performance data, and outcome reports to support decision-making and accountability.
• Identify and develop opportunities for partnerships, program expansion, community engagement, and funding alignment that advance Sin Ataduras goals and increase statewide impact.

Community Engagement and Partnership Development

• Develop, cultivate, and expand strategic partnerships with schools, faith communities, healthcare providers, behavioral health organizations, LGBTQ+ organizations, community groups, local governments, and other stakeholders.
• Represent El Futuro at community events, conferences, coalition meetings, trainings, and networking opportunities.
• Build trusted relationships with community leaders and stakeholders to increase collaboration, participant engagement, and community ownership of project goals.
• Maintain an active presence in statewide coalitions, professional networks, and community initiatives to identify opportunities, strengthen partnerships, and increase El Futuro's visibility and influence.
• Identify innovative opportunities to increase community awareness, participant recruitment, and statewide program reach.
• Convene partners and stakeholders around shared goals related to prevention, early intervention, harm reduction, and community wellness.
• Coordinate stakeholder training, technical assistance, participant engagement, and project-support activities.

Collaboration, Communication, and Team Support

• Partner with program leadership to identify emerging needs and create innovative approaches to substance use prevention, early intervention, harm reduction, and community engagement.
• Collaborate across departments to align program goals, implementation strategies, and community engagement efforts.
• Translate program goals into actionable work plans, measurable objectives, and operational strategies.
• Facilitate communication among internal teams, external partners, funders, and community stakeholders.
• Coordinate project meetings, including agenda development, documentation, action-item tracking, and follow-up.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and communications that clearly convey program progress, challenges, outcomes, and opportunities to diverse audiences.
• Provide project leadership, guidance, training, and coordination to support staff participation in Sin Ataduras initiatives and alignment with program goals and quality standards.
• Promote a healthy, collaborative, and sustainable work environment through relationship building, problem solving, clear communication, and shared accountability.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree or higher preferred in Public Health, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, Education, Community Health, Project Management, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of three years of project management experience, preferably in public health, behavioral health, community health, substance use prevention, harm reduction, or a related setting.
• Experience managing grants, contracts, multi-stakeholder initiatives, and program implementation preferred.
• Experience building community partnerships and engaging diverse stakeholders strongly preferred.
• Experience working with Latino communities preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

• Bilingual fluency in spoken and written Spanish and English, required, including the ability to read and communicate in written Spanish.
• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders and establish trust across communities.
• Demonstrated ability to build strategic partnerships that advance organizational goals and community impact.
• Strong project management skills, including planning, execution, risk management, budgeting, accountability, and performance tracking.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining organization, quality, follow-through, and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, identify opportunities, and drive projects forward with limited supervision.
• Comfort representing El Futuro publicly and engaging new stakeholders, partners, and community leaders.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity, solve problems creatively, and adapt effectively in dynamic environments.
• Knowledge of behavioral health, substance use prevention, early intervention, harm reduction, and community engagement approaches.
• Understanding of cultural, linguistic, and social factors affecting Latino and immigrant communities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365, project management platforms, data-collection systems, and virtual meeting technology.
• Commitment to supporting El Futuro's mission to nurture stronger familias to live out their dreams.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a manner consistent with El Futuro's values of Calor Humano, Trust, Resilience, Belonging, and Community.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Setting: Work is performed in a hybrid environment, with a minimum of one day per week required in person at the Durham Clinic.
• Assigned Office Site: Durham Clinic.
• Work Week: Typically works a standard Monday through Friday schedule. Friday 9:00am to 11:00am is required time for organization-wide and team meetings.
• Extra Time: May be required to work occasional evenings and weekends for community meetings, events, or attend staff meetings outside the regular schedule.
• Technology & Systems: Regular use of computers, digital platforms, phone, video-conferencing tools, and electronic records systems.
• Travel: Required to support statewide partnerships, outreach, community events, and program implementation, including travel within Wake, Orange, Chatham, Durham, and surrounding areas.

To apply, submit your cover letter and resume.

El Futuro is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in its employment decisions on the basis of any protected category. We believe we are most impactful when people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and identities come together with common purpose. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.