Executive Director, Clinical Operations

The Executive Director serves as the operational leader of the facility and is responsible for the overall performance, compliance, and day-to-day management of the organization. This individual will oversee clinical operations, admissions, business development, staffing, financial performance, and regulatory compliance to ensure the delivery of high-quality, ethical, and sustainable care.

The ideal candidate possesses a unique combination of business acumen and clinical understanding, with the ability to balance mission-driven care with operational excellence. This role requires an executive who can effectively lead multidisciplinary teams, optimize organizational performance, and build systems that support both exceptional patient outcomes and long-term organizational success.

The Executive Director is the senior leader responsible for the successful operation of the facility and reports directly to ownership or executive leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the treatment facility, ensuring efficient and effective service delivery across all departments.
• Develop and implement operational strategies that support organizational growth, patient satisfaction, and financial sustainability.
• Establish accountability measures and performance standards for leadership and frontline staff.
• Identify opportunities to improve workflows, patient engagement, and operational efficiency.

Clinical Oversight and Partnership

• Collaborate closely with Clinical Leadership to ensure the delivery of evidence-based, patient-centered care.
• Maintain an understanding of clinical programming across PHP, IOP, and OP services, as applicable.
• Support clinical teams through appropriate supervision structures, quality assurance initiatives, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Ensure documentation practices align with medical necessity requirements and payer expectations.

Financial and Business Management

• Assume responsibility for facility performance, including census growth, budgeting, forecasting, expense management, and revenue optimization.
• Monitor key performance indicators related to admissions, collections, utilization, staffing, and patient outcomes.
• Partner with admissions, utilization review, and billing teams to maximize reimbursement while maintaining clinical integrity.
• Develop and execute strategic initiatives that drive responsible growth and profitability.

Compliance and Quality Assurance

• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and accrediting body regulations, including DCF, Joint Commission, CARF, and licensing standards.
• Maintain audit readiness through effective policies, procedures, training, and quality assurance processes.
• Lead investigations and corrective action planning related to compliance concerns when necessary.
• Foster a culture of ethical practice, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Team Leadership and Talent Development

• Recruit, develop, mentor, and retain high-performing staff across clinical and operational departments.
• Provide leadership and support to department directors and managers.
• Promote employee engagement, professional development, and a collaborative workplace culture.
• Address performance concerns promptly and constructively.

Community Relations and Business Development

• Serve as an ambassador for the organization within the professional and recovery communities.
• Cultivate relationships with referral partners, healthcare providers, community stakeholders, and strategic partners.
• Collaborate with outreach and admissions teams to support census goals and market expansion initiatives.
• Represent the organization with professionalism and integrity at industry events and networking opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in Behavioral Health, Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• Clinical licensure or addiction counseling credential strongly preferred (e.g., LMHC, LCSW, LMFT, CAP, CASAC, CADC, etc.), but not essential.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive leadership experience within behavioral healthcare or substance use disorder treatment settings.
• Demonstrated experience managing multidisciplinary teams and overseeing facility operations.
• Strong understanding of healthcare finance, budgeting, revenue cycle management, and performance metrics.
• Knowledge of DCF regulations, Joint Commission standards, utilization review, and payer requirements.
• Experience leading organizations through periods of growth, change, or operational improvement preferred.
• Exceptional communication, leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

Preferred Experience

• Oversight of multiple levels of care, including PHP and IOP programs.
• Experience with EMR implementation or optimization initiatives.
• Background working within private equity-backed or growth-oriented healthcare organizations.
• Proven ability to improve census, operational efficiency, and financial performance without compromising clinical quality.

Success in This Role Looks Like

• Strong census growth supported by ethical admissions practices.
• High-performing teams with improved retention and accountability.
• Positive patient outcomes and excellent patient experience scores.
• Consistent regulatory compliance and survey readiness.
• Improved financial performance through operational discipline and cross-functional collaboration.
• A culture where clinical excellence and business sustainability coexist.

The Executive Director is expected to be a visible, hands-on leader who understands that successful treatment organizations require both compassionate care and sound business leadership.