Senior Director of Behavioral Health

Job Description

Job Description

ABOUT JFS

For more than 150 years, Jewish Family Services of Western New York has been committed to providing high quality services to all in need in the interest of helping to "repair the world." Our services are guided by the essential connection between mental well-being, physical wellness, and positive self-worth. Our reputation is the result of our exceptional staff. In addition to offering competitive compensation and truly exceptional benefits, we are committed to providing a supportive work environment in which all employees are able to contribute their best.

OUR VALUES

Be a Mensch: We are ethical, kind, and admirable. We assume good intent and act with integrity. We are thoughtful and deliberative in how we support our clients, each other, and the community. “Choose generosity over judgment—every time”

Be Purpose-Built: We create spaces and programs that respect clients’ individuality and opens access. We strive to meet the individual where they’re at and give them the tools to be successful

Be Resolute: We work with tenacity to identify problems, seek out solutions, and get things done. Even small steps forward are acts of resilience.

The Senior Director of Behavioral Health provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and clinical program development for Jewish Family Services of WNY's behavioral health division. This position is responsible for ensuring the delivery of high-quality, accessible, and financially sustainable behavioral health services while advancing the agency's strategic vision for growth.

The Senior Director oversees ky behavioral health leaders, including the Director of Clinical Services, Director of Critical Time Intervention (CTI), and Associate Director of Clinical Operations. This position is responsible for driving performance across existing programs, developing new service lines, and expanding integrated models of care, including Integrated Behavioral Health (IBH) and substance use disorder treatment services under OASAS licensure.

The Senior Director of Behavioral Health reports directly to the Vice President of Behavioral Health & Wellness Programs and provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and clinical program development for Jewish Family Services of WNY's behavioral health division. As a key member of the agency's senior leadership team, the Senior Director works collaboratively with executive leadership, program directors, community partners, funders, and regulatory agencies to advance the agency's mission, strategic priorities, and long-term growth objectives.

A representative summary of tasks to be performed is provided below . The employee may be asked to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically stated in this description. The duties and responsibilities of the position are to be carried out in a manner that is consistent with the mission, values, and operating principles of Jewish Family Services.

Strategic Leadership & Program Oversight

• Provide leadership and oversight for all behavioral health service lines.
• Supervise and support the Director of Clinical Services, Director of CTI, and Associate Director of Clinical Operations.
• Develop and execute strategic initiatives that align with organizational goals and community needs.
• Establish division-wide performance expectations and accountability measures.
• Monitor program outcomes, quality indicators, client satisfaction, and operational performance.
• Lead continuous quality improvement initiatives across behavioral health programs.
• Collaborate with agency leadership to ensure alignment between behavioral health services and broader organizational priorities.

Program Development & Growth

• Identify opportunities for new behavioral health services and program expansion.
• Lead the development and implementation of Integrated Behavioral Health (IBH) models in collaboration with healthcare and community partners.
• Oversee planning and implementation of OASAS licensure and substance use disorder treatment services, in collaboration with the Vice President of Behavioral Health and Wellness.
• Develop innovative treatment models that address co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, in collaboration with the Vice President of Behavioral Health and Wellness.
• Pursue grant opportunities, contracts, and funding initiatives that support program growth
• Conduct environmental scans and community needs assessments to identify emerging service opportunities.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with healthcare systems, government agencies, managed care organizations, and community stakeholders.

Clinical & Regulatory Leadership

• Ensure compliance with all applicable OMH, OASAS, Medicaid, Medicare, and accreditation requirements.
• Support clinical leadership in maintaining high standards of care and evidence-based practice.
• Monitor regulatory changes and implement operational and clinical adjustments as needed.
• Promote trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and person-centered care throughout all service lines.
• Support workforce development, staff training, supervision structures, and clinical excellence initiatives.

Financial & Operational Management

• Develop and manage behavioral health program budgets in partnership with agency leadership.
• Monitor program financial performance, revenue generation, and expense management.
• Ensure the financial sustainability of behavioral health programs through effective resource allocation, strategic planning, and ongoing performance monitoring.
• Oversee program revenue cycle performance, including service utilization, documentation compliance, billing practices, claim submission processes, and reimbursement trends.
• Partner with clinical, operational, and billing teams to ensure services are documented, coded, and billed accurately and in accordance with payer, regulatory, and agency requirements.
• Monitor key financial and operational metrics and implement corrective action plans when performance falls below established targets.
• Identify operational efficiencies and opportunities for sustainable growth.
• Utilize data and performance metrics to guide decision-making and strategic planning.
• Ensure appropriate infrastructure, staffing models, and technology systems are in place to support program operations.

Leadership & Culture

• Foster a culture consistent with JFS values: Be Resolute, Be Purpose-Built, and Be A Mensch.
• Mentor and develop behavioral health leaders to build organizational capacity and succession planning.
• Promote employee engagement, collaboration, accountability, and innovation.
• Lead division-wide planning, communication, and change management initiatives.

• Master's degree in Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, Psychology, Public Health, Healthcare Administration, or related field required.
• Independent clinical licensure preferred (LCSW, LMHC, Psychologist, or equivalent).
• Minimum of 3-5 years of senior management experience overseeing multiple programs and leaders.
• Experience with OMH-licensed programs required.
• Experience with OASAS programs, integrated behavioral health models, or healthcare integration required.
• Demonstrated experience developing new programs and leading organizational growth initiatives.
• Experience managing budgets, contracts, grants, and regulatory compliance.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Strong understanding of behavioral health regulations, reimbursement systems, and healthcare delivery models.
• Knowledge of Integrated Behavioral Health and value-based care models.
• Experience building partnerships with healthcare systems, managed care organizations, and government agencies.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong strategic planning and project management abilities.
• Ability to analyze data and translate findings into operational improvements.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive care.

Competencies:

• Strategic Leadership – Develops and executes strategies that advance organizational goals, growth, and innovation.

• Judgment & Decision Making – Makes informed decisions by balancing clinical, operational, financial, and regulatory considerations.

• Financial & Business Acumen – Ensures program sustainability through effective budgeting, revenue cycle oversight, and resource management.

• Systems Thinking – Understands the interconnectedness of programs, processes, and stakeholders to drive organizational effectiveness.

• Leadership & Talent Development – Builds, mentors, and develops high-performing leaders and teams while fostering accountability and engagement.

• Communication Intelligence – Communicates effectively with diverse audiences, builds consensus, and promotes transparent communication.

• Change Leadership – Leads teams through growth, transformation, and organizational change with resilience and adaptability.

• Relationship Management – Develops and maintains strong relationships with staff, partners, funders, healthcare systems, and regulatory agencies.

• Operational Excellence – Uses data and performance metrics to drive quality, efficiency, and continuous improvement.
• Client & Community Focus – Ensures services remain person-centered, trauma-informed, and responsive to community needs.

• Adaptability & Innovation – Responds effectively to changing environments and identifies opportunities for growth and improvement.

• Initiative & Accountability – Takes ownership of outcomes, follows through on commitments, and drives results.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Will work in the office and in the community; able to travel outside the office to various sites to attend meetings and provide support services.
• Must have access to a reliable vehicle, possess a valid, clean driver’s license and be sufficiently self-insured with liability insurance in the amount of $100/$300k.

• Flexible hours including days and some evenings and/or weekends.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Physical activities and efforts required working in an office environment.
• Visual acuity sufficient to maintain system of files and reports containing computer-generated and handwritten documents.
• Auditory acuity sufficient to communicate with staff, clients, and others by phone and in person.
• Mobility sufficient to conduct regular duties within a normal office environment and community.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Competitive salary of $90,000 - $95,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Health, Dental, and Vision insurance.
• Accrued Paid Time Off (PTO) of 4+ weeks in addition to an agency wide shut down between Christmas and New Year's Day.
• 401k retirement plan with agency contribution of 4%.
• 13+ observed holidays annually.
• Reduced full-time work week of 35 hours and early close on Fridays.