Assistant Director. Hospitals

State of North Carolina

2d • $81,620 - $159,158

About The Position

The Division of State Operated Healthcare Facilities (DSOHF) plays a critical role in North Carolina's public behavioral health system. As the state's safety-net provider, DSOHF has the responsibility to deliver compassionate, high-quality treatment and habilitation services to individuals with the most complex mental health, developmental disability, neuro-medical, and substance use needs. Our facilities provide care that transforms lives and strengthens communities. The Assistant Division Director serves on DSOHF's Executive Leadership Team and provides strategic and operational leadership for three Joint Commission-accredited psychiatric hospitals and one psychiatric residential treatment facility. This role directly supervises facility leadership, oversees the statewide forensic program, and guides central office staff who support this system of care.
This Role's Impact: This position ensures that individuals with the most serious and complex behavioral health needs receive safe, effective, and person-centered care. You will shape statewide psychiatric service delivery, strengthen quality and safety across facilities, and ensure that programs operate with excellence, transparency, and accountability. Your leadership will directly influence the experience, safety, and outcomes of the people served in North Carolina's highest-acuity treatment settings.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in a discipline directly related to the agency’s program, business administration or public administration from an appropriated accredited institution, five years of managerial experience in the public or private sectors involving significant decision-making authority in the planning, organizing, and directing of operations in an area related to the assigned program(s); OR An equivalent combination of education and experience.

Nice To Haves

• Proficient in clinical and operational leadership within mental health, developmental disabilities, or substance use systems.
• Strong understanding of North Carolina's public MH/DD/SA system and its regulatory landscape with knowledge of Medicaid, Medicare, reimbursement structures, and budget management.
• Demonstrated success leading complex public service systems and integrating care across agencies.
• Expertise in quality improvement, data-driven decision-making, and outcome evaluation working with families, advocates, and provider networks to strengthen service delivery.
• Proven ability to supervise diverse clinical and administrative teams and build effective working relationships across sectors.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational oversight and strategic leadership for four statewide psychiatric facilities.
• Supervise hospital directors and provide guidance on quality, compliance, clinical operations, and workforce challenges.
• Interpret and implement federal and state regulations, ensuring facilities meet all required standards.
• Lead Division-wide initiatives that improve consistency, quality, and equity across facilities.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with state agencies, legislators, regulatory bodies, advocates, and community stakeholders.
• Analyze data to drive decision-making, evaluate outcomes, and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Promote standardization, performance improvement, and evidence-informed practices across hospitals.
• Represent the state psychiatric hospitals to internal and external audiences, ensuring clear communication and alignment with DSOHF goals.
• Contribute to system-wide planning and resource allocation alongside other state agency leaders.

Benefits

• The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits.
• Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis).
• Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave.
• In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive