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Behavioral Health Executive Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Behavioral Health Executive Director will provide statewide operational and strategic leadership for Adult Behavioral Health programs across Louisiana, leading managers and ensuring high-quality ...

The Behavioral Health Executive Director will provide statewide operational and strategic leadership for Adult Behavioral Health programs across Louisiana, leading managers and ensuring high-quality ...

Position Summary The Home Health Executive Director is responsible for modeling the Compassus values of Compassion, Integrity, Excellence, Teamwork, and Innovation and for promoting the Compassus ...

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Behavioral Health Executive Director information

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$45.5K

$115.5K

$197K

How much do behavioral health executive director jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for behavioral health executive director in the United States is $115,519.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $84,500.00 and $127,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a behavioral health executive director?

A Behavioral Health Executive Director is a senior leader responsible for overseeing the operations, administration, and strategic direction of behavioral health organizations, such as mental health clinics or substance abuse treatment centers. They manage staff, ensure compliance with regulations, develop programs, and often handle budgeting and fundraising. Their role is crucial in ensuring that quality mental health and behavioral health services are delivered effectively to the community.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a behavioral health executive director?

A Behavioral Health Executive Director must have advanced knowledge in mental health services management, a relevant master's degree (such as in psychology, social work, or healthcare administration), and substantial leadership experience. Familiarity with electronic health record systems, regulatory compliance platforms, and certifications like Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) are often required. Outstanding interpersonal communication, strategic decision-making, and crisis management skills help them lead diverse teams and foster a positive organizational culture. These skills ensure effective delivery of behavioral health services, regulatory compliance, and organizational growth in a complex, high-stakes environment.

What are some common challenges faced by behavioral health executive directors in managing multidisciplinary teams?

Behavioral Health Executive Directors often oversee teams of clinicians, administrative staff, and support personnel, which can present challenges in aligning diverse professional perspectives and ensuring consistent communication. Balancing clinical quality with operational efficiency requires strong leadership and the ability to mediate between competing priorities, such as regulatory compliance, staff well-being, and patient care outcomes. Successful Executive Directors foster a collaborative culture, provide clear direction, and implement effective conflict resolution strategies to support team cohesion and organizational goals.

What is the difference between Behavioral Health Executive Director vs Clinical Director?

AspectBehavioral Health Executive DirectorClinical Director
CredentialsMaster's degree in psychology, social work, or related field; leadership experienceMaster's or Doctorate in clinical psychology, social work, or counseling; clinical licensure
Work EnvironmentOversees entire organization or program, manages staff, budgets, and policiesDirects clinical services, supervises clinical staff, ensures treatment quality
Employer & IndustryBehavioral health agencies, nonprofits, healthcare organizationsHospitals, clinics, mental health facilities

The Behavioral Health Executive Director focuses on organizational leadership, strategic planning, and overall management, while the Clinical Director concentrates on clinical operations, treatment quality, and supervision of clinical staff. Both roles require relevant credentials and experience but differ in scope and responsibilities.

What cities are hiring for Behavioral Health Executive Director jobs?

Cities with the most Behavioral Health Executive Director job openings:

What states have the most Behavioral Health Executive Director jobs?

States with the most job openings for Behavioral Health Executive Director jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Behavioral Health Executive Director jobs?

For Behavioral Health Executive Director jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Behavioral Health Executive Director job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $115,519 per year, or $55.5 per hour.

Behavioral Health Manager

Coos Bay, OR • On-site

Other

Posted 8 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Provide day-to-day operational, personnel, and clinical oversight of the Behavioral Health Department.

  • Maintain a direct client care caseload, including conducting assessments, counseling, crisis intervention, and care coordination.

  • Support staff onboarding, training, performance management, and promote a healthy team culture.


Job description

SUMMARY OF MAJOR FUNCTIONSThis position supports the Behavioral Health Executive Director by providing day-to-day operational, personnel, and clinical oversight of the Behavioral Health Department. The role is designed to strengthen departmental leadership capacity by assuming responsibility for routine administrative, supervisory, and program management functions, allowing the Behavioral Health Executive Director to focus on strategic priorities while the Behavioral Health Manager maintains a direct client care caseload. The Behavioral Health Manager helps ensure behavioral health services are delivered in a timely, ethical, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and clinically appropriate manner, consistent with organizational policies, professional standards, and regulatory requirements. The position is structured as approximately 40% administrative, supervisory, and operational duties and approximately 60% direct client care. This allocation may be adjusted based on staffing levels, client volume, crisis needs, accreditation preparation, program development, or other department priorities as determined by the Behavioral Health Executive Director.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESAdministrative, Supervisory, and Operational Duties — Approximately 40%Serve as the first point of contact for routine staff questions and provide day-to-day operational support by addressing workflow issues, scheduling and staffing needs, leave requests, training coordination, and coverage needs to ensure continuity of behavioral health services.Monitor staffing levels and service coverage to ensure continuity of care, proactively address scheduling gaps and operational challenges, and communicate concerns or resource needs to the Behavioral Health Executive Director.Support onboarding and orientation for new behavioral health staff.Coordinate and provide training to staff on department workflows, documentation standards, scheduling processes, referral pathways, crisis response procedures, confidentiality requirements, and team communication norms.Identify training needs and support professional development plans in collaboration with the Behavioral Health Executive Director.Provide ongoing staff support, coaching, guidance, and performance feedback while promoting accountability, professional development, and adherence to department expectations.Monitor and address staff performance and workplace concerns related to attendance, documentation timeliness, communication, professionalism, interpersonal relationships, and adherence to department expectations while providing appropriate coaching, feedback, and escalation when needed.Promote a healthy and accountable team culture through respectful communication, collaboration, psychological safety, and shared responsibility for patient care.Ensure staff understand and follow department policies and procedures, including crisis response, mandated reporting, documentation timelines, confidentiality, client communication, no-show procedures, referrals, and care coordination expectations.Escalate significant personnel concerns, clinical concerns, ethical issues, safety concerns, compliance risks, or unresolved operational barriers to the Behavioral Health Executive Director in a timely manner.Direct Client Care Duties — Approximately 60%Maintain a direct client care caseload appropriate to licensure, scope of practice, program needs, and department capacity.Provide behavioral health screening and assessments, individual counseling, group therapy services, crisis intervention and stabilization, substance use treatment services, integrated behavioral health services, care coordination, consultation, treatment planning, case management, and discharge planning as appropriate.Deliver services that are trauma-informed, culturally responsive, client-centered, and consistent with applicable ethical, legal, regulatory, and organizational standards.Complete accurate, timely, and thorough clinical documentation in accordance with department expectations, payer requirements, accreditation standards, and organizational policy.Participate in case consultation, team meetings, care coordination, and interdisciplinary communication as needed to support client care and continuity of services.Respond to client care needs, crisis situations, and program priorities within scope of role and licensure, exercising sound clinical judgment and practicing within the scope of professional licensure and organizational policies.WORKLOAD AND PRODUCTIVITY EXPECTATIONSThis position is a blended administrative and direct service role. Productivity expectations will reflect the position’s administrative, supervisory, training, scheduling, and operational responsibilities.The Behavioral Health Manager is not expected to carry the same productivity standard as a full-time direct service clinician. Direct service productivity targets will be established by the Behavioral Health Executive Director and may be adjusted based on administrative workload, staffing levels, client acuity, program priorities, and organizational needs.The administrative portion of this role is considered an essential function of the position and should be protected in scheduling, productivity expectations, and workload planning.The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required.PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTSThis position requires the ability to manage stressful situations that are often part of mental health treatment provisions. Treatment activities will include facilitating and participating in a variety of outdoor treatment activities with moderate to challenging physical demands. Office work is primarily sedentary, although walking, bending, lifting packages, and working in small-enclosed areas will be involved. This position will occasionally travel to other locations to provide outdoor or community-based activities.The individual must be able to perform the physical requirements of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, in a safe, efficient, and accurate manner that does not pose a significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others.KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIESIndividuals must possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that they can perform the essential functions of the position as described, with or without reasonable accommodation. Equivalent combinations of education, training, and experience that demonstrate these competencies may be considered.Demonstrated leadership, communication, organization, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to effectively lead teams and promote a positive, collaborative work environment.Ability to balance staff support with accountability and clear expectations.Ability to address conflict, performance concerns, and workflow barriers directly and professionally.Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced behavioral health environment.Ability to maintain confidentiality and sound professional boundaries.Ability to support staff morale while upholding department standards.Ability to work collaboratively across disciplines, programs, and sites.Ability to use sound judgment when escalating clinical, ethical, personnel, or safety concerns.Ability to provide direct client care while also managing administrative and supervisory responsibilities.Ability to model trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and ethical leadership practices.Master’s degree in counseling, social work, psychology, behavioral health, public health, healthcare administration, or a related field.Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in behavioral health, substance use disorder treatment, integrated healthcare, community health, Tribal health, or closely related healthcare setting.Current Oregon behavioral health licensure (LPC, LCSW, LMFT, or equivalent) required. Knowledge of behavioral health operations, clinical documentation standards, confidentiality, mandated reporting, crisis response, trauma-informed care, and culturally responsive service delivery.Experience working with multidisciplinary teams, including therapists, case managers, peer support staff, substance use treatment staff, administrative staff, and/or integrated behavioral health providers.Minimum of one year of supervisory, lead, program coordination, or team management experience.Current and valid Oregon driver’s license in good standing is required with no insurability restrictions from the Tribe’s insurance carrier.PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONSExperience working in tribal health, rural health, community behavioral health, integrated primary care, Indian Health Service, or similar healthcare environments.Familiarity with accreditation standards, EHR documentation, compliance audits, behavioral health billing workflows, and integrated care models.Experience supporting culturally grounded, community-based, trauma-informed, and whole-person behavioral health services. #J-18808-Ljbffr