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Behavioral Health Leadership Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Fenway Health

Director of Behavioral Health

Boston, MA · On-site

$140K - $175K/yr

Provides leadership and direction for all Behavioral Health programs and services. * Directly supervises the Medical Director of Behavioral Health, Manager of Outpatient Behavioral Health, Manager of ...

FENWAY HEALTH

Director of Behavioral Health

Boston, MA

$140K - $175K/yr

Provides leadership and direction for all Behavioral Health programs and services. * Directly supervises the Medical Director of Behavioral Health, Manager of Outpatient Behavioral Health, Manager of ...

Fenway Health

Director of Behavioral Health

Boston, MA · On-site

$140K - $175K/yr

Provides leadership and direction for all Behavioral Health programs and services. * Directly supervises the Medical Director of Behavioral Health, Manager of Outpatient Behavioral Health, Manager of ...

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How much do behavioral health leadership jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for behavioral health leadership in the United States is $24.78, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.03 and $30.53 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is behavioral health leadership?

Behavioral Health Leadership refers to individuals who oversee and guide behavioral health organizations, programs, or teams. These leaders are responsible for managing mental health and substance use services, ensuring quality care, developing policies, and supporting staff. Their work often involves collaborating with clinicians, administrators, and community partners to improve behavioral health outcomes. Effective behavioral health leaders combine expertise in mental health with strong management, communication, and advocacy skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in behavioral health leadership?

To excel in Behavioral Health Leadership, a strong background in psychology, social work, or a related field—often supported by an advanced degree and relevant licensure—is essential. Familiarity with electronic health records (EHRs), behavioral health management systems, and regulatory compliance tools is typically required. Exceptional emotional intelligence, communication, and conflict resolution skills set outstanding leaders apart in this field. These competencies are crucial for ensuring effective team management, high-quality patient care, and organizational success in complex behavioral health environments.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in behavioral health leadership roles, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in Behavioral Health Leadership often encounter challenges such as balancing administrative responsibilities with patient-centered care, managing interdisciplinary teams, and navigating regulatory requirements. Effective leaders address these challenges by fostering open communication, prioritizing staff development, and staying informed about industry best practices and policies. Building strong relationships across departments and promoting a supportive work culture are also key strategies for overcoming day-to-day obstacles and ensuring high-quality behavioral health services.

What is the difference between Behavioral Health Leadership vs Behavioral Health Clinician?

AspectBehavioral Health LeadershipBehavioral Health Clinician
CredentialsMaster's or Doctoral degree, leadership certificationsMaster's degree in social work, counseling, or psychology
Work EnvironmentAdministrative settings, clinics, hospitalsDirect patient care in clinics, hospitals, community settings
Employer & Industry UsageHealthcare organizations, mental health agenciesHospitals, outpatient clinics, community health centers
Search & Comparison IntentLeadership roles, management, program developmentClinical practice, patient treatment, therapy sessions

Behavioral Health Leadership focuses on managing teams, developing programs, and overseeing mental health services, requiring leadership skills and advanced degrees. In contrast, Behavioral Health Clinicians provide direct patient care, conducting therapy and assessments. Both roles are essential in mental health services but differ in responsibilities, work environment, and required credentials.

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Behavioral Health Leadership jobs near you
Infographic showing various Behavioral Health Leadership job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,547 per year, or $24.8 per hour.

Director of Behavioral Health

Fenway Health

Boston, MA • On-site

$140K - $175K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement, PTO

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

Job Type
Full-time
Description
The Director of Behavioral Health provides strategic, operational, administrative, and clinical leadership for Fenway Health's Behavioral Health Department, a multidisciplinary department of more than 60 staff within a Federally Qualified Health Center.
Reporting directly to the Chief Medical Officer, the Director is accountable for the overall performance of the Behavioral Health Department, including outpatient behavioral health, integrated behavioral health, psychiatry operations, clinical education and training, and the Violence Recovery Program. The Director partners closely with the Medical Director of Behavioral Health and other clinical leaders to ensure high-quality, equitable, patient-centered behavioral health services that support Fenway Health's mission and strategic priorities.
The Director serves as a member of Fenway Health's Leadership Committee and is responsible for departmental strategy, operations, workforce development, financial stewardship, quality improvement, and clinical integration across the organization. This position maintains approximately seven (7) clinical hours per week.
Representative Duties:
Provides strategic, operational, and administrative leadership for the Behavioral Health Department
  • Provides leadership and direction for all Behavioral Health programs and services.
  • Directly supervises the Medical Director of Behavioral Health, Manager of Outpatient Behavioral Health, Manager of Integrated Behavioral Health, Manager of Clinical Training and Education, Violence Recovery Program leadership, and other assigned department managers and supervisors.
  • Partners with department leaders to establish annual goals, priorities, and operational plans.
  • Develops workforce plans that anticipate clinical demand, succession planning, recruitment needs, retention strategies, and future program growth.
  • Ensures effective communication and collaboration across Behavioral Health leadership and throughout Fenway Health.
  • Oversees delivery of services across in-person, telehealth, and hybrid care models.

Leads quality, clinical operations, and service integration
  • Establishes and maintains departmental standards for quality, access, patient experience, and clinical excellence.
  • Oversees department-wide quality improvement, quality assurance, regulatory readiness, and performance improvement initiatives.
  • Works collaboratively with the Medical Director of Behavioral Health regarding psychiatric services and clinical standards.
  • Promotes integration of Behavioral Health services with Primary Care, Public Health, Nursing, Sexual and Reproductive Health, Dental, Optometry, and other clinical departments as assigned.
  • Ensures compliance with HRSA requirements, Joint Commission standards, payer requirements, state licensure regulations, and Fenway Health policies.
  • Supports innovation in behavioral healthcare delivery and improves timely access to care.

Provides financial and operational stewardship
  • Develops and manages departmental operating budgets.
  • Monitors financial performance, productivity, staffing models, and utilization trends.
  • Oversees compliance with grant, payer, managed care, ACO, and contractual requirements.
  • Partners with Finance, Development, Grants, and Operations to support new funding opportunities and sustainable program growth.
  • Participates in strategic planning for new behavioral health programs and service expansion.

Sets strategic vision for the Behavioral Health Department
  • Develops and implements strategic priorities that align with Fenway Health's mission and organizational strategic plan.
  • Leads planning and implementation of new behavioral health initiatives and program development.
  • Establishes measurable departmental goals and monitors progress toward key performance indicators.
  • Represents Behavioral Health in organizational planning initiatives and interdisciplinary leadership activities.
  • Partners with the Chief Medical Officer on long-term planning for Behavioral Health services.
  • Participates in proposal development and new project development by joining planning and work groups, contributing text, developing project budgets and operationalizing project objectives in collaboration with Medical, Public Health, Development, External Relations, Finance, and Grants/Contracts

Represents Behavioral Health internally and externally
  • Serves as the departmental representative on the Leadership Committee.
  • Develops collaborative relationships with community organizations, academic institutions, professional associations, and external partners.
  • Represents Fenway Health in statewide behavioral health initiatives, planning groups, and collaborative partnerships as assigned.
  • Supports grant development, external reporting, and public presentations related to Behavioral Health services.

Provides leadership and supervision
  • Directly supervises assigned managers, supervisors, and the Medical Director of Behavioral Health.
  • Conducts hiring, onboarding, coaching, performance evaluations, and professional development of direct reports.
  • Promotes a culture of accountability, collaboration, equity, and continuous learning.
  • Develops leadership capacity within the department through mentoring and succession planning.
  • Makes employment-related decisions regarding assigned staff within the scope of defined authority as a manager following established organization guidelines

Provides direct clinical services to clients including clinical assessment and treatment services, as detailed in therapist job description.
Meets Agency Participatory Expectations
  • Suggests and participates in continuing quality improvement efforts
  • Adheres to all Fenway Health and departmental policies and procedures
  • Participates in quality assessment and improvement activities as requested
  • Adheres to the highest principles of patient and client confidentiality
  • Adheres to established safety policies, procedures and precautions; identifies potential or actual unsafe situations in the environment and takes measures to rectify the situation
  • Attends all required meetings, in-services and professional trainings
  • Attends all regularly scheduled research meetings, trainings, forums and pertinent FCH staff meetings
  • Maintains professional competence necessary to perform job responsibilities; maintains and provides agency with records of continuing education activities
  • Serves on agency committees and in professional organizations when requested

Performs related duties as required
Requirements
  • A minimum of Master's level degree in social work, mental health, or related field
  • Independent licensure in Massachusetts
  • Work experience with, and interest in, behavioral health issues of the LGBTQIA+ populations
  • At least 10 years of work experience working in the behavioral health field
  • Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible leadership experience leading behavioral health programs, multidisciplinary clinical teams, or integrated behavioral health services, preferably across multiple clinical sites.
  • Strong supervisory and management experience (see Leadership Capabilities section below)
  • Demonstrated ability to work respectfully and effectively with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. This includes engaging constructively with colleagues, patients, clients, and vendors in a manner that reflects professionalism, empathy, and cultural awareness, without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, or other protected characteristics as defined by applicable law.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Leadership experience within a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC)

Critical Leadership Capabilities
Driving Results
  • Sets ambitious but achievable goals and holds self and others accountable for results.
  • Anticipates barriers and adapts strategies to achieve organizational objectives.
  • Monitors performance using data and quality metrics to drive continuous improvement.
  • Creates the conditions for teams to perform at their highest level.

Collaborating and Influencing
  • Identifies and engages key stakeholders to build alignment and shared ownership of organizational priorities.
  • Builds collaborative relationships across departments and with external partners.
  • Communicates change clearly and effectively to build trust and organizational buy-in.

Cultural Agility
  • Demonstrates cultural humility and the ability to lead effectively across diverse identities, lived experiences, and perspectives.
  • Builds inclusive, psychologically safe teams where differences are respected and valued.
  • Demonstrates strong emotional intelligence and the ability to communicate effectively across disciplines and differences.

Leading through Change
  • Leads teams effectively through organizational change and growth.
  • Builds engagement and resilience during periods of transition.
  • Balances operational excellence with innovation and continuous improvement.

Other Personal Characteristics
  • Demonstrates commitment to Fenway Health's mission and values.
  • Acts with integrity, professionalism, and accountability.
  • Builds strong, trusting relationships across teams and disciplines.
  • Communicates effectively with staff, leadership, community partners, and external stakeholders.

Physical Requirements:
  • Ability to meet the following physical requirements with or without reasonable accommodations:
  • Sit at a computer station for extended periods of time
  • Ability to keyboard for extended periods of time

We offer competitive salaries, and for those who qualify, an excellent benefits package; including comprehensive medical and dental insurance plans, and a retirement plan with employer match. We also provide 12 paid holidays, paid vacation, and more.
LGBTQIA+ identified persons, Black, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC), and individuals from other historically underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Highly experienced individuals may be compensated at a higher rate
Salary Description
$140,000 - $175,000 /year

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