Clinical Director & Practice Lead

Job Description

Job Description

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Bonus based on performance
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Ellie Mental Health is seeking a licensed Clinical Director / Practice Lead to help lead and grow an outpatient mental health practice in Sherman Oaks, CA.

This is a strong opportunity for a licensed clinician who wants more than a traditional private practice therapy role. We are looking for someone who wants to lead a clinical team, shape the patient care culture, mentor clinicians, uphold high standards of patient care, and help build a practice that is clinically strong, collaborative, and sustainable .

This role offers meaningful clinical leadership and autonomy, with the support of established operational infrastructure for billing, credentialing, HR, payroll, marketing, technology, and administrative processes. You will be able to focus on clinical leadership, supervision, quality of patient care, and team development, without having to carry the full administrative or financial burden of running a practice alone.

Why This Role is Different
Many clinicians who want to grow into leadership face two imperfect options: remain primarily clinical with limited influence or take on the risk and complexity of owning a practice by themselves. This role is designed to offer a better balance.

As Clinical Director / Practice Lead, you will have the opportunity to:

• Lead and develop a growing clinical team 
• Shape the clinical culture and care standards 
• Maintain a small, intentional caseload 
• Provide supervision and mentorship 
• Partner on thoughtful practice growth 
• Operate with clinical independence while being supported by experienced administrative and operational resources

This is not a solo private practice ownership role. It is also not a low-responsibility clinical role. It is ideal for someone who wants real leadership, meaningful impact, and the support needed to build something well.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead clinical direction, care standards, and clinical quality for the practice 
• Provide individual and/or group supervision in accordance with California BBS requirements 
• Support hiring, onboarding, development, and retention of clinicians 
• Maintain a small caseload, generally expected to be approximately 6–10 clients 
• Promote strong documentation, treatment planning, and ethical care standards 
• Support clinicians through complex client situations and clinical escalations 
• Help build a culture that is warm, collaborative, accountable, and sustainable 
• Partner with operational leadership on staffing, client experience, referral growth, and practice development 
• Represent the clinical voice of the practice in key decisions affecting care delivery and team success 

What Success Looks Like
Success in this role will include:

• A stable, engaged, and growing clinical team 
• Strong supervision and support for clinicians 
• High-quality documentation and care standards 
• A positive culture where clinicians feel supported and accountable 
• Effective partnership between clinical and operational leadership 
• Thoughtful growth in client access, referral relationships, and community presence 

Ideal Candidate
We are looking for a clinically strong and emotionally steady leader who wants to help build a high-quality outpatient mental health practice.

The ideal candidate is someone who:

• Wants to lead, mentor, and develop clinicians 
• Has strong clinical judgment and professional boundaries 
• Communicates clearly and constructively 
• Can hold people accountable while maintaining a supportive culture 
• Values both clinical autonomy and collaborative partnership 
• Understands that a healthy practice requires strong care, strong documentation, and strong follow-through 
• Is comfortable working in a supported practice model with defined clinical and non-clinical responsibilities 
• Wants to build something meaningful

Qualifications
Required:

• Active, independent California clinical license in good standing: LCSW, LMFT, LPCC, PsyD, or PhD 
• Experience in outpatient mental health, group practice, community mental health, or a similar clinical setting 
• Strong clinical judgment and understanding of ethical care standards 
• Ability to supervise, mentor, and support clinicians 
• Strong communication, documentation, and leadership skills 
• Ability to partner effectively with operational and administrative support teams 

Preferred:

• Prior experience as a Clinical Director / Practice Manager, Clinical Supervisor, Lead Therapist, Program Director, or similar leadership role 
• Experience supervising pre-licensed clinicians in accordance with California BBS requirements 
• Experience helping build, scale, or stabilize a clinical team 
• Familiarity with outpatient therapy practice operations 
• Interest in community relationships, referral development, and thoughtful practice growth 

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary: $120,000 - $140,000, depending on experience 
• Performance-based bonus opportunity tied to clinic’s success 
• Health, dental, and vision benefits 
• 401(k) 
• Paid time off 
• Leadership growth opportunity as the practice expands 
• Operational support infrastructure designed to reduce administrative burden 

About Ellie Mental Health

Ellie Mental Health is built on the belief that mental healthcare should be accessible, human, and sustainable, for both clients and clinicians.

Our model is designed to reduce administrative burden, support clinicians, and create a culture where high-quality care can thrive.

This clinic is locally led and supported by broader operational resources, combining strong clinical leadership with the infrastructure needed to grow thoughtfully and responsibly.