Clinical Department Director of Residential Mental Health Services

Gilead Community Services • Middletown, CT

19d • $96,124 - $117,485

About The Position

Gilead Community Services seeks an experienced and grounded leader to serve as Clinical Department Director of Residential Mental Health Services. You’ll provide clinical and administrative leadership across our adult and adolescent residential programs – serving individuals with serious mental health conditions, many of whom also experience co-occurring substance use challenges. Why This Role Matters For over 50 years, Gilead has delivered high-quality, person-centered services that support recovery, independence, and community integration. Unlike large healthcare systems, our work is grounded in real relationships. We know our clients by name and we put their needs first, even when the system doesn’t make that easy. This role oversees some of Gilead’s most established programs (including our original group home), representing decades of success in community psychiatry and recovery-oriented care. As a part of Gilead’s leadership team, you will steward that legacy and help shape what comes How You’ll Make Your Impact This position is designed for someone committed to shaping programs within a community mental health system centered on helping people build greater independence. You will lead programs that span age groups (adolescents to adults), regulatory systems (DMHAS, DPH, DCF), geographic locations (Old Saybrook to Middletown), funding structures (including MRO - Medicaid Rehabilitation Options) and different levels of clinical need (structured residential rehabilitation to higher-acuity community-based settings). Lead high-quality, recovery-focused care Oversee clinical and administrative operations across residential mental health services. Ensure services align with Gilead’s mission and recovery principles, with an emphasis on 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 treatment modalities, trauma informed and culturally sensitive clinical care. Strengthen teams and elevate clinical practice Supervise and develop clinical and program leadership staff, ensuring strong performance and continuous growth. Provide in-service training, mentorship, and ongoing clinical supervision. Monitor staffing levels and support hiring and retention efforts in partnership with Human Resources. Navigate regulatory and system complexity Maintain compliance with all relevant standards and regulations (e.g., DMHAS, DPH, DSS, DCF, CARF). Ensure integrity of Medicaid Rehabilitation Options and other billable services. Serve as point of contact for audits, licensing visits, and funder relationships. Monitor program outcomes and drive thoughtful quality improvement. Build relationships and expand capacity Act as liaison to municipal, state, private, and community partners. Collaborate with Gilead’s leadership team to develop and refine services in alignment with emerging needs and strategic priorities. Serve as a steward of Gilead’s culture through agency fundraising and development initiatives. This Role Might Be for You If You’re: Experienced and ready to lead at scale: You’ve built deep expertise in mental health care, supervising teams and managing one or more programs – and you’re ready to apply that experience to a high-impact, organization-wide leadership role. Looking for a meaningful change from the corporate healthcare model: You’re ready to reconnect with the heart of mental health services work in setting where client care (not just revenue targets) drives the work. Grounded and relational. You connect naturally with clients and the staff who support them. You prefer being present in programs and communities versus leading from behind a desk. Flexible, adaptive and steady in complexity. You can easily move between programs, locations and demands. You can hold clinical nuance, regulatory requirements, and human realities at the same time.

Requirements

• A clinical license (LCSW, LPC, LMFT, or PhD) and at least 8 years of experience in co-occurring addiction and mental health care.
• Extensive experience in administrative and clinical leadership, including direct supervision and program oversight.
• A steady hand in fast-paced, high-acuity environments, with the ability to manage competing priorities calmly and effectively.
• Comfort engaging with high-level state partners and oversight bodies – including DMHAS, DPH, DCF, DSS, and DDS – with the professionalism and clarity to represent Gilead effectively.
• Working knowledge of Connecticut’s regulatory requirements and financial structures related to residential addiction and mental health services.
• A leadership style rooted in compassion, accountability, and client-centered values.
• A valid driver’s license and automobile insurance.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Medicaid Rehabilitation Options (MRO).
• Integrated Dual Diagnosis Treatment experience.
• Experience working across the lifespan – adolescents through adults.
• Depth in trauma-informed care.
• A sharp sense of humor and quick thinking – because when the pace is fast and the stakes are high, a little levity goes a long way.

Responsibilities

• Oversee clinical and administrative operations across residential mental health services.
• Ensure services align with Gilead’s mission and recovery principles, with an emphasis on 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 treatment modalities, trauma informed and culturally sensitive clinical care.
• Supervise and develop clinical and program leadership staff, ensuring strong performance and continuous growth.
• Provide in-service training, mentorship, and ongoing clinical supervision.
• Monitor staffing levels and support hiring and retention efforts in partnership with Human Resources.
• Maintain compliance with all relevant standards and regulations (e.g., DMHAS, DPH, DSS, DCF, CARF).
• Ensure integrity of Medicaid Rehabilitation Options and other billable services.
• Serve as point of contact for audits, licensing visits, and funder relationships.
• Monitor program outcomes and drive thoughtful quality improvement.
• Act as liaison to municipal, state, private, and community partners.
• Collaborate with Gilead’s leadership team to develop and refine services in alignment with emerging needs and strategic priorities.
• Serve as a steward of Gilead’s culture through agency fundraising and development initiatives.

Benefits

• Starting salary of $96,124 to $117,485 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree