Director of Operations

SERO MENTAL HEALTH • La Mesa, CA

48d • $80,000 - $90,000 • Onsite

About The Position

BrightQuest San Diego, a residential behavioral health program, is seeking a Director of Operations to lead day-to-day program execution, ensure regulatory compliance, and maintain a highly structured, well-functioning environment across departments. This role is responsible for translating organizational expectations into consistent operational practices that support both staff performance and client care. The Director of Operations partners closely with executive leadership to ensure the program operates efficiently, meets all licensing and accreditation standards, and maintains a safe, organized, and accountable treatment environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, healthcare administration, behavioral health, or related field (Master’s preferred)
• Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience in a residential or behavioral health setting
• Direct experience with regulatory compliance, audits, and accreditation processes
• Strong understanding of behavioral health populations, including co-occurring disorders
• Demonstrated ability to manage teams, enforce standards, and improve operational performance
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to pass background and drug screening
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree in a related field
• Experience in a structured residential or milieu-based treatment setting
• Deep familiarity with licensing and accreditation standards

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations to ensure the program runs smoothly, consistently, and in alignment with established standards
• Identify operational breakdowns and implement corrective actions to improve structure, efficiency, and accountability
• Ensure the physical environment is safe, organized, and properly maintained
• Support program growth and changes by aligning staffing, processes, and infrastructure
• Supervise program leadership, support staff, and facilities personnel
• Establish clear expectations and hold staff accountable to performance, conduct, and program standards
• Lead hiring, onboarding, scheduling, and performance management processes
• Provide direct coaching and corrective feedback to address performance gaps
• Reinforce a culture of consistency, professionalism, and follow-through
• Ensure full compliance with all applicable state, federal, and accreditation requirements
• Maintain ongoing readiness for audits, inspections, and surveys
• Monitor program practices to ensure adherence to policies, procedures, and documentation standards
• Review incident reports, safety concerns, and operational risks, ensuring timely and appropriate resolution
• Partner with leadership to implement and sustain corrective action plans
• Promote a structured, predictable environment that supports both client safety and therapeutic outcomes
• Ensure staff are properly trained and consistently following program protocols
• Identify trends in incidents or operational issues and proactively address root causes
• Work closely with clinical and executive leadership to ensure alignment between operations and treatment goals
• Maintain clear, timely communication across departments regarding expectations, changes, and concerns
• Participate in team meetings, trainings, and leadership discussions
• Assist with budget awareness, inventory tracking, and resource utilization
• Contribute to operational reporting and performance tracking
• Ensure documentation, reporting, and internal communication are timely and accurate
• Represent the program professionally during tours and interactions with referral sources or external partners
• Support a consistent, high-quality experience for all external stakeholders

Benefits

• Enrollment in multi-level medical, dental, and vision health benefits with substantial employer premium contributions
• Employer paid Life Insurance and AD&D
• Long Term Disability
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Assistance Plans
• Voluntary benefits including Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Short Term Disability Coverage, Hospital Indemnity and Accident Plans, Critical Illness Coverage, and Legal Assistance
• Generous Paid Time Off and Holiday Pay
• 401(K) Retirement Plans with company match of 100% of the first 3% contributed and 50% of the next 2% contributed per paycheck
• Immediate 100% vesting for company match upon eligibility

What This Job Offers

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