GILEAD - Program Director

Established in 1968, Gilead has over 50 years of experience providing the highest quality services that support each person’s recovery from mental health or substance use challenges in their lives. Gilead empowers personal growth, independence and recovery through improved mental health, physical well‑being, and community integration. Gilead’s supportive and collaborative services are marked by excellence, compassion, innovation, and integrity. Job Description Gilead Community Services seeks an experienced and committed leader to serve as the Residential Program Director for our Adolescent program located in Old Saybrook, CT. The role involves providing clinical and administrative oversight of a therapeutic residential setting, ensuring high‑quality, trauma‑informed care for youth with behavioral health challenges. Why This Role Matters This is a unique opportunity to lead a highly valued, clinically rich adolescent program that delivers trauma‑informed, restorative care with a strong focus on building skills for success, valuing diversity and increasing self‑esteem. The program, a Therapeutic Group Home, integrates models including Attachment, Self‑Regulation, and Competency (ARC), Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI), and the Council for Boys & Young Men of the One Circle Foundation while partnering closely with onsite clinicians and prescribers. How You’ll Make Your Impact The successful candidate will lead a program focused on supporting young men, between the ages of 14 and 20, and their families in building skills to address internal and interpersonal barriers preventing successful, independent community living. The candidate will bring strengths in clinical treatment and in leadership and team building. The position is designed to ensure compliance with DCF licensing, contractual requirements, and CARF standards while fostering strong, collaborative relationships with families, neighbors and the local community to support a positive and responsive group home environment. Lead high‑quality, recovery‑focused care Oversee clinical and administrative operations for an adolescent residential mental health program. Ensure services align with Gilead’s mission and recovery principles, emphasizing trauma‑informed, person‑centered care. Guide admissions, service planning, and discharge processes to maximize impact and maintain fiscal stability. Ensure provision of evidence‑based best‑practice treatment modalities that are trauma‑informed and culturally sensitive. Strengthen teams and elevate clinical practice Supervise and develop clinical and program staff, ensuring strong performance and continuous growth. Oversee staffing levels, hiring, and retention efforts in partnership with Human Resources. Develop a positive, supportive work environment that promotes staff engagement and job satisfaction. Navigate regulatory and system complexity Monitors and maintains compliance with contractual and licensing requirements (DCF, CARF, etc.). Build and maintain relations with clinical, educational, and managed care system partners (e.g., DCF area offices, Carelon, special education and local school systems, the legal system). Responds to after‑hours needs on a rotating on‑call basis to support program continuity and risk management. Build relationships and expand capacity Act as liaison to municipal, state, private, and community partners. Collaborate with Gilead’s other program leaders to improve policy, develop, and refine services implementation aligned with organizational goals. Participate as a champion of Gilead’s culture through agency development initiatives and community events. This Role Might Be for You If You’re: Experienced and ready to lead: You are an emerging or established leader with experience in adolescent residential or community behavioral health, ready to guide and support a team. Looking for a meaningful change from the corporate healthcare model: You are ready to reconnect with the heart of mental health services in a setting where client care, not just revenue targets, drives the work. Grounded and relational: You connect naturally with clients and staff, and prefer being present in programs and communities rather than leading from behind a desk. Flexible, adaptive, and steady in complexity: You can navigate clinical nuance, regulatory requirements, and operational demands with confidence while balancing multiple priorities and human realities. What You Bring Master’s degree required. Must hold (or be eligible for) CT associate‑level clinical licensure and be working toward full licensure (LCSW, LPC, LMFT). Must have 6+ years of experience in adolescent mental health. Experience in administrative supervision. Union and previous program oversight experience preferred. A calm, steady presence in a fast‑paced program for adolescent males. Ability to manage competing needs and lead effectively in a dynamic and demanding environment. A hands‑on, engaged leader. Thrives in a dynamic, 24/7 environment that demands active participation and support for staff and youth. A valid driver’s license and automobile insurance. We Offer Starting salary of $83,00 to $93,000 annually. Generous paid time off (up to 4 weeks paid vacation, 13 holidays, 2 paid personal days, 12 sick days). Truly affordable medical, dental and vision benefits that save you nearly 50% more than the national average. Investment in your future through our 401(k) retirement plan and match, scholarship programs, tuition reimbursement, and professional development opportunities. Peace of mind with free long‑term disability insurance and affordable short‑ and long‑term life insurance options. We support equality for and advancement of all people, based on their qualifications and actions alone, without regard to color, gender, age, religion, national origin or disability. Our company is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, please reach out to View email address on click.appcast.io. We will make every effort to accommodate your needs in accordance with applicable laws and our commitment to accessibility and inclusion. An Equal Opportunity Employer. #J-18808-Ljbffr Gilead Community Services Inc.