Operations Specialist - Behavioral Health

Skyway Behavioral Health is an innovative behavioral health center that goes beyond the treatment of psychiatric symptoms to address underlying biological, behavioral, and psychosocial causes of psychiatric disorders. Our belief is that maladaptive coping strategies are adopted by patients for survival. While adaptive at one time or in specific ways, these coping strategies are now preventing patients from living the life they want to live. Our treatments teach patients new skills that enable them to serve as their own behavioral therapists- thereby helping them to maintain recovery and generalize skills to their home environments.

At Skyway, we provide a fully immersive, intensive, whole-person experience that covers everything from neuroscience to nutrition. We believe that the path to recovery from traumatic stress requires a focus that encompasses not just symptom management but also the treatment of underlying individual, systemic, developmental, and familial traumas. We use leading-edge, specialized, evidence-based treatment modalities to help our patients address the trauma and pain behind their behaviors and diagnoses – thereby empowering them to make lasting changes in their lives.

Our team has extensive clinical and leadership experience in the areas of traumatic stress, eating disorders, mood disorders, and personality disorders/pathology. At Skyway, we are committed to building a culture and team that cares for one another such that we may care for our families, communities, and clients. At Skyway, we believe that recovery is not only possible but also attainable for all patients.

Role Description

The Operations Specialist supports the SVP of Operations in optimizing organizational performance and managing operational workflows and strategic initiatives across multiple Skyway Behavioral Health sites and teams. The role is responsible for driving operational projects, supporting data-driven decision making, improving internal processes and coordinating cross-functional initiatives across departments. The Operations Specialist services as a key optional partner to leadership, ensuring initiatives are implemented efficiently, documented appropriately, and aligned with Skyway’s strategic objectives.

A critical element of the Skyway mission is to ensure that all team members, even those not providing direct clinical care, know and believe they can change and improve patient’s lives; and when serving with integrity and in alignment with the Skyway Mission, we create a reverberating positive impact on the patients.

Essential Functions/Core Responsibilities

• Support the SVP of Operations in implementing strategic and operational initiatives/projects across the organization.

• Lead and coordinate operational projects designed to improve efficiency, service delivery, and organizational scalability.

• Translate leadership priorities into actionable project plans and operational workflows.

• Track progress of strategic initiatives and ensure accountability for deliverables. 

• Assist in development, documentation, and maintenance of standard operating procedures (SOPs) across departments.

• Identify workflow inefficiencies and collaborate with department leaders to design improved processes.

• Support the organization’s procedure documentation initiatives and help maintain the SOP repository.

• Ensure operational processes are consistent, auditable, and scalable as the organization grows.

• Develop and maintain operational dashboards and business reports to support leadership decision-making.

• Analyze program utilization, staffing capacity, and operational performance metrics. 

• Support vendor relationships and coordination with external partners related to operations, technology, and service delivery.

• Manage operational projects from concept through implementation.

• Develop timelines, track milestones, and ensure completion of deliverables.

• Support leadership meetings with preparation of agendas, documentation, and follow-up tracking.

• Coordinate special projects as assigned by the SVP of Operations/leadership team.

• Provides backup Concierge support when gaps in staffing are present.[JV1.1]

• Ensure all clinical and non-clinical spaces are clean, functional, safe, and therapeutic.

• Perform and/or coordinate routine and preventative maintenance with building management and contractors; abiding by terms set forth in lease agreement with building management.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required (Healthcare Administration, Business, Public Health, or related field preferred)

• 3+ years of experience in healthcare operations, behavioral health, consulting, or healthcare administration

• Experience supporting operational improvement or strategic initiatives.

• Proficiency in Microsoft products (Word, Outlook, Excel), and familiarity with work order request/ticketing systems.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills that are clear, respectful, and considerate of other’s perspectives. 

• Must be fluent in reading, writing and speaking English.

• Reliable form of transportation to work.

Additional Preferred Skills 

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• Advanced Excel or data analysis skills preferred

• Project Management experience

• Ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously

• Strong communication and cross-department collaboration skills

• Highly organized and strong attention to detail

• A passion for coaching, mentorship and team-development. 

• A problem-solving orientation and eagerness to identify process gaps and implement practical solutions.

• Ability to work independently as needed, recognizes the need for support and demonstrates the willingness to ask for help.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and respond with confidence during challenging situations. 

• Someone who embodies Skyway values: 

o Embraces the whole person. 

o Commits to innovative research-based programs. 

o Believes we are better together. 

o Celebrates expressions of diversity. 

o Believes in service and supporting our communities.

o Views leadership as a privilege to elevate others to their highest potential. 

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to walk and climb or balance. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Benefits:

• Medical benefits- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois

• Dental benefits- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois

• Vision benefits- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois

• Short Term Disability- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois

• 401K Safe Harbor Match- Ameritas BlueStar 

• PTO

• Paid Sick Time

• Paid Holidays

• Paid Floating Holidays

• Paid Wellness Days

• Collaborative professional growth development

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Work hours may vary in this leadership role and may require responding to phone calls from direct reports during off hours.

Skyway Behavioral Health is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. 

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.