Business Development Manager

Job Description

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced, relationship-driven Business Development Manager to expand referral partnerships and drive sustainable census growth for a rapidly growing behavioral healthcare organization. This individual will serve as the primary ambassador for the organization throughout their assigned territory, developing strategic relationships with healthcare professionals, community partners, hospitals, treatment providers, and other referral sources.

This is a highly autonomous, field-based position best suited for someone who thrives on building long-term relationships, identifying new business opportunities, and helping individuals gain access to high-quality behavioral healthcare services.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a strategic territory growth plan to increase qualified referrals and admissions.
• Build, maintain, and expand relationships with referral sources including:
• Hospitals and emergency departments
• Behavioral health providers
• Therapists and private practice clinicians
• Psychiatrists and psychologists
• Primary care physicians
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)
• Case managers and discharge planners
• Schools and universities
• Community organizations
• Attorneys and professional referral partners
• Conduct regular in-person visits, presentations, educational meetings, and networking events throughout the assigned territory.
• Represent the organization at conferences, community events, and professional associations.
• Educate referral partners on available levels of care, admission criteria, insurance acceptance, and treatment philosophy.
• Develop new referral relationships while strengthening existing partnerships.
• Work closely with Admissions, Clinical Leadership, Utilization Review, and Executive Leadership to ensure seamless communication throughout the admissions process.
• Track outreach activity, referral sources, and conversion metrics within the organization's CRM.
• Monitor market trends, competitor activity, referral patterns, and growth opportunities.
• Maintain regular communication with referral partners regarding patient transitions and continuity of care while maintaining HIPAA compliance.
• Prepare weekly activity reports and monthly business development summaries.
• Consistently achieve established outreach, relationship-building, and census growth objectives.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of business development, outreach, or healthcare sales experience.
• Previous experience within behavioral health, addiction treatment, mental health, healthcare services, or related industries strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success building referral relationships that generate measurable business growth.
• Excellent presentation, networking, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time management abilities.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently across a large geographic territory.
• Experience utilizing CRM platforms to manage accounts, outreach activities, and reporting.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.
• Valid driver's license with reliable transportation.
• Ability to travel throughout the assigned territory on a daily basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Existing referral relationships within the behavioral healthcare community.
• Understanding of various levels of behavioral healthcare including residential, partial hospitalization (PHP), intensive outpatient (IOP), outpatient, and virtual treatment services.
• Working knowledge of commercial insurance, managed care, and referral processes.
• Experience working alongside admissions teams to improve referral conversion rates.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Healthcare Administration, Psychology, or a related field preferred but not required.

Core Competencies

• Relationship Building
• Strategic Networking
• Consultative Selling
• Territory Management
• Public Speaking and Presentations
• Negotiation
• CRM Management
• Pipeline Development
• Market Analysis
• Professional Communication
• Time Management
• Accountability

Performance Metrics

Success in this role will be measured by:

• Growth in qualified referral relationships
• New referral partner acquisition
• Referral-to-admission conversion rates
• Monthly and quarterly census growth
• Territory activity and outreach metrics
• CRM accuracy and documentation
• Partner retention and engagement
• Achievement of individual business development goals

Work Environment

• Primarily field-based with regular travel throughout the assigned territory.
• Combination of provider visits, networking events, community meetings, and internal collaboration.
• Occasional evening or weekend events may be required.
• Hybrid schedule with flexibility for administrative work from home when not in the field.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary
• Performance-based bonus opportunities
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• Mileage reimbursement or vehicle allowance
• Professional development opportunities
• Career advancement within a growing organization

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a highly motivated healthcare business development professional who enjoys creating meaningful relationships, has a strong understanding of the behavioral healthcare landscape, and is passionate about helping individuals access quality treatment. They are comfortable working independently, possess excellent follow-through, and understand that long-term referral partnerships are built on trust, responsiveness, and consistent value.