Behavior Program Manager Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

JOB SUMMARY

The Program Manager of Adult & Youth Services provides clinical, operational, and administrative leadership for Adult Mental Health, Child & Adolescent, and First Episode Psychosis (FEP) programs.

This leadership position is responsible for ensuring high-quality, person-centered services while maintaining compliance with CCBHC, IDHS/DMH, Medicaid, payer, accreditation, and organizational standards. The Program Manager oversees clinical documentation, IM+CANS compliance, staff and supervisor performance, referrals, census, productivity, community outreach, and program growth.

The Program Manager ensures clients move efficiently from referral and intake through enrollment, active treatment, and ongoing engagement while supporting strong clinical outcomes and the financial sustainability of assigned programs.

JOB DUTIES

• Provide clinical and operational oversight of Adult Mental Health, Child & Adolescent, and FEP programs.
• Supervise, coach, and hold Program Supervisors accountable for staff performance, clinical quality, documentation, productivity, and program outcomes.
• Review and monitor IM+CANS assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, and other clinical documentation for quality, timeliness, medical necessity, and compliance.
• Ensure compliance with CCBHC, IDHS/DMH, Medicaid, payer, accreditation, and organizational requirements.
• Provide consultation and oversight for complex and high-risk clinical cases.
• Oversee the referral process from intake through program assignment, enrollment, and first service to improve access and reduce clients lost to care.
• Monitor census, admissions, discharges, engagement, retention, caseloads, and available program capacity.
• Develop strategies to increase census and appropriate utilization of revenue-generating clinical services.
• Build and maintain referral relationships with schools, hospitals, primary care providers, crisis programs, community organizations, and other partners.
• Participate in marketing, networking, outreach, and community engagement activities.
• Monitor staff productivity, billable services, and documentation practices affecting reimbursement.
• Collaborate with Intake, Quality, Billing, Finance, and senior leadership to address operational and performance barriers.
• Review program data and implement quality improvement and corrective action plans when performance expectations are not met.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, training, development, performance evaluation, and retention of staff.
• Promote integrated care and collaboration among behavioral health, psychiatry, primary care, crisis services, and community resources.

SMART GOALS

Clinical Quality & Compliance

• Within the first 90 days, establish a consistent monitoring process for IM+CANS assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, and required clinical documentation across assigned programs, identifying compliance gaps and implementing corrective actions to improve timeliness, quality, and regulatory readiness.

Access, Census & Engagement

• Within the first six months, evaluate referral-to-service workflows across Adult Mental Health, Child & Adolescent, and FEP programs and implement measurable strategies to improve referral conversion, timely enrollment, client engagement, retention, census, and appropriate program utilization.

Productivity & Program Performance

• Within the first six months, establish and monitor performance expectations for Program Supervisors and their teams related to productivity, billable services, documentation, caseload capacity, and program outcomes, using performance data to develop improvement plans when expectations are not achieved.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program (Required)
• Current and unrestricted Illinois Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) license(Required).
• Knowledge of IM+CANS, IDHS/DMH requirements, Medicaid, clinical documentation, treatment planning, medical necessity and quality assurance (Required).

Preferred

• Five (5) years of behavioral health experience.
• Three (3) years of supervisory, management, or clinical leadership experience.
• Experience in community mental health, CCBHC, outpatient behavioral health, or integrated care.
• Experience serving adult, child/adolescent, and/or First Episode Psychosis populations.

WORKING CONDITIONS

(The unavoidable, externally imposed conditions under which the work must be performed, and which create hardship for the incumbent including the frequency and duration of occurrence of physical demands, environmental conditions, demands on one’s senses, and mental demands.) None known.

BENEFITS 

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 403(b) 
• Paid Time Off (PTO) & Paid Holidays
• Life Insurance & Disability Coverage
• Tuition Reimbursement & Professional Development Opportunities
• Wellness Programs & Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)

Occupational Risk for Exposure to TB:

There is an occupational risk for exposure to TB, as this position involves extensive community and patient contact. Employees in this role are required to comply with annual TB testing as part of workplace health and safety protocols. The only acceptable exceptions to this requirement are documented medical contraindications or religious objections. Employees who decline TB testing will be required to wear a mask when deemed necessary.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

Friend Health – HRDI is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, marital or parental status, sexual orientation including gender identity, gender expression, military discharge status, physical or mental disability, or any other status or characteristic protected by law. In addition, Friend Health – HRDI provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws (including during the application or hiring process). Friend Health - HRDI supports the Pay Transparency Law as an equal opportunity employer.

Join Our Team!

Join Friend Health-HRDI and take on a leadership role that directly impacts access to high-quality behavioral health services for adults, children, adolescents, and individuals experiencing first episode psychosis. This is an opportunity to lead experienced clinical teams, strengthen program performance, expand community partnerships, and help ensure individuals and families receive timely, person-centered care.