Mental Health Senior Advisor

USmax Corporation

16h•Remote

About The Position

The position serves as a senior scientific and strategic advisor to Program Managers and Office Leadership within the Proactive Health Office at ARPA-H. This role provides high-level expertise in mental health, suicide prevention, health psychology, and applied quantitative research to shape, execute, and oversee ARPA-H style, high-risk/high-reward R&D programs. In addition to providing direct program support, this individual leads and coordinates other SETAs within the program, ensuring analytical rigor, strategic alignment, and consistency in technical evaluation and milestone development. The role requires independent judgment, initiative, and the ability to translate cutting-edge science into actionable program strategy in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

Requirements

Strong quantitative and statistical expertise.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
Proven ability to operate independently and manage competing priorities.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust

Nice To Haves

Record of funded research and publications preferred.
Demonstrated experience leading complex research initiatives and multidisciplinary teams.
Demonstrated experience with mental health clinical trials design and meta-analysis.
Experience advising government leadership or supporting federal programs.
Experience in high-risk R&D environments preferred.
Experience with federal funding, contracting, or program oversight preferred.
Experience supervising or leading technical staff preferred.

Responsibilities

Advise the Program Manager and leadership on program strategy, technical direction, and portfolio execution in mental health and suicide prevention.
Support program development from concept through execution, including development of technical theses, milestones, and evaluation frameworks.
Identify emerging scientific opportunities, technology inflection points, implementation barriers, and policy considerations and translate into actionable programmatic strategies.
Lead development of clear technical problem statements and program constructs suitable for ARPA-H Requests for Solutions (RFS).
Develop and pressure-test measurable technical milestones, quantitative evaluation frameworks, and risk mitigation strategies.
Anticipate scientific, operational, and portfolio-level risks and proactively propose mitigation pathways.
Provide independent recommendations and options to leadership, including trade-off analyses and scenario planning.
Oversee intake and technical evaluation of proposals, white papers, and submissions.
Assess study design, statistical approaches, feasibility, scalability, and real-world impact.
Develop and monitor performance metrics and data-driven evaluation frameworks.
Support site visits, technical demonstrations, and performer assessments.
Prepare executive briefings, decision memos, and portfolio updates.
Coordinate with business financial managers, public affairs, and contracting.
Identify and engage subject matter experts, performers, and strategic partners.
Support strategic teaming across multidisciplinary performers.
Participate in technical discussions, working groups, and interagency engagements as needed.