Executive Director

Scion Executive Search has been retained to conduct an immediate search for the Executive Director of BRIDGES Community Treatment Services , a nonprofit behavioral health and social services agency dedicated to supporting individuals facing significant mental health and psychosocial challenges. This is a full-time, onsite position based in San Dimas, CA.

ABOUT BRIDGES COMMUNITY TREATMENT SERVICES

BRIDGES is a behavioral health agency serving Los Angeles County. Its mission is to restore dignity, respect, and empowerment to at-risk children, youth, adults, and families. With an annual budget of about $9M, BRIDGES offers a continuum of residential and outpatient services that meet people where they are and support them on their path to stability and wellbeing. BRIDGES works across multiple service areas and locations in the county. Its corporate headquarters is currently in San Dimas, and it runs programs in El Monte, West Covina, and Woodland Hills. Together, these sites give clients and families access to coordinated care closer to home. California's behavioral health system is in a period of major change. In March 2024, voters approved Proposition 1, which created the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA). The act updates and expands the state's public behavioral health system, with more emphasis on people living with the most serious mental illnesses, on substance use disorder treatment, and on housing-related support. At the same time, the Medi-Cal CalAIM initiative is changing how services are delivered by moving toward integrated, whole-person care and value-based payment. This is a remarkable moment to join an organization whose work changes the lives of vulnerable children, youth, adults, and families across Los Angeles County. BRIDGES' next leader will guide the agency through this transformation and shape its future at a time when strong, mission-driven behavioral health leadership is more essential than ever.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Executive Director provides overall leadership, strategic direction, and coordination across all BRIDGES sites, ensuring consistent quality, compliance, and operations throughout the agency. The Executive Director will lead BRIDGES through a period of system change, keeping the organization aligned with new funding, regulatory, and performance expectations while protecting service stability, quality, and the agency's mission. They will anticipate emerging trends, risks, and opportunities in behavioral health and position the agency for long-term success through strategic planning, innovation, and adaptive leadership. The Executive Director also builds organizational health by fostering a strong culture, collaboration across departments, effective leadership, employee engagement, and alignment with the agency's mission and values. During critical incidents, organizational crises, and major operational challenges, the Executive Director leads the agency's response, keeping services running, maintaining regulatory compliance, and communicating clearly with stakeholders.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategic Leadership

  Develop and carry out BRIDGES' long-range strategic plan, keeping programs and resources aligned with the mission and with state reforms such as BHSA and CalAIM. Periodically evaluate organizational structure, workflows, and leadership alignment to ensure BRIDGES continues to adapt effectively to BHSA, CalAIM, and future system changes. Find and pursue opportunities to grow, including new service models, partnerships, and housing projects, while ensuring long-term sustainability through careful resource allocation. Lead innovation, including the responsible use of technology such as AI and client portals, to improve efficiency, documentation, and client access. This work will be done together with the clinical, finance, compliance, and quality assurance teams, so that technology supports clinical judgment and never replaces it.

• Financial Oversight

  Oversee the agency's financial health with the Director of Finance, including annual budgets, financial planning, and performance monitoring. Ensure responsible management of public funds and sound fiscal stewardship. Broaden revenue sources through county contracts, grants, philanthropy, and new funding opportunities, and lead or coordinate grant proposals.

• Program & Quality Assurance

  Oversee all clinical and service operations and lead the program leadership teams for Outpatient, Full-Service Partnership and Residential programs. Ensure care is evidence-based, trauma-informed and culturally competent, and that it meets or exceeds contract, licensing and accreditation standards. Work with the Quality Assurance and Improvement team to set performance metrics and improve client outcomes over time.

• Board & Governance

  Work with the Board of Directors on effective governance, with clear communication and well-defined roles for the Board and staff. Prepare high-quality Board reports on organizational performance, financial health, and compliance. Strengthen the Board by recruiting, orienting, and engaging directors with key expertise, such as finance, HR, legal, development, and clinical.

• Staff Leadership & Culture

  Lead the senior leadership team, including the CFO/Finance Director, HR Director, Managing Director of Programs, Clinical Directors and Quality Assurance leadership. Set clear accountability and delegate effectively. Build a mission-driven, inclusive, high-performing culture that values collaboration, staff engagement and continuous learning. Guide the organization through transition and change, and strengthen recruitment, retention, leadership development, and succession planning at every level.

• External Relations & Advocacy

  Serve as BRIDGES' primary spokesperson and coordinate outside engagement across the leadership team. Build strong partnerships with the Department of Mental Health, government agencies, funders, referral sources (schools, juvenile justice and community organizations) and the media. Advocate for clients and the agency in public and policy forums, coalitions and community events to raise awareness of behavioral health needs.

• Compliance and Risk Management

  Ensure compliance with all laws, regulations, and contract requirements, including LACDMH contracts, Medi-Cal, and state licensing. Oversee risk management policies, internal controls and audits, and make sure audit findings are addressed promptly. Uphold the highest ethical standards, protect agency assets, and act as authorized signatory for contracts and major financial commitments under Board policy.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 5+ years of progressively responsible leadership in nonprofit or public-sector human services or behavioral health. Executive Director, CEO, or comparable senior executive experience is strongly preferred.
• Executive-level experience leading complex programs, operations, compliance, HR, finance, and senior leadership teams is required, ideally across multiple sites.
• Experience with Los Angeles County's mental health system and government contracts, such as LACDMH and Medi-Cal, is a major asset.
• Strong knowledge of California's public behavioral health system, including BHSA (Proposition 1), Medi-Cal Specialty Mental Health Services, and CalAIM.
• Understanding of evidence-based, culturally responsive service models for people with serious mental illness across the lifespan.
• Ability to oversee residential treatment operations, Community Care Licensing (CCL), Title 22 and Title 9 regulations, contract compliance, clinical operations, and quality assurance.
• Depth of expertise may vary, but the candidate must be able to ask the right questions and work effectively with subject-matter experts.
• Proven success managing a multi-million-dollar budget in partnership with finance leadership.
• Track record of diversifying and growing revenue through government contracts, grants, philanthropy, and donor engagement.
• Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change, strategic planning, and complex operations.
• Strong people leader who supervises senior leaders, delegates effectively, builds team capacity and creates a positive culture through growth and transition.
• Experience partnering with a nonprofit Board, including preparing Board materials and supporting Board recruitment, development, and engagement.
• Master's degree in social work, public administration, business, or a related field is preferred.
• Clinical licensure (LCSW, LMFT, PsyD, or similar) is valued but not required, and credentials alone are not enough without executive operational experience.
• Available and responsive for urgent matters and critical incidents in a 24-hour operation, with clear delegation to senior leadership.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish is a plus.
• A mission-driven, collaborative leader with integrity, resilience, emotional intelligence, sound judgment, and a commitment to serving underserved communities and advancing equity.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

This full-time executive role is an exceptional opportunity to lead a respected, mission-driven behavioral health agency through a pivotal period of change in California's public behavioral health system.

The salary range is $174,000 to $194,000 (DOE) .

BRIDGES offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision insurance, life insurance, and voluntary AD&D coverage. Employees can also join a 403(b) retirement plan with an agency match, and they have access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Paid time off includes vacation, sick leave and paid holidays.

• medical, dental, vision insurance, life insurance, and voluntary AD&D coverage
• 403(b) retirement plan with agency match
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Paid time off includes vacation, sick leave and paid holidays

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We are committed to the principles of Equal Opportunity Employment and are dedicated to making employment decisions based on merit and value, for ourselves, our client companies, and the candidates we represent.

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