Executive Director - Youth Mental Health BONUS

A BETTER LIFE RECOVERY LLC•Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

2d•$145,000 - $160,000•Onsite

About The Position

Mission Prep Los Angeles is an established adolescent residential treatment program serving clients ages 12–17. The region, located in Rancho Palos Verdes, currently operates four residential homes with a total census of approximately 24 clients and has been providing care for nearly three years. The Los Angeles program is entering a next phase of maturity and clinical excellence. The Executive Director will play a critical role in elevating the client experience, strengthening clinical culture, deepening family engagement, and refining systems, while also supporting potential future growth and expanded leadership oversight within the region. The Executive Director (ED) for Mission Prep Los Angeles is an executive level leader responsible for elevating and strengthening an established adolescent residential program serving 24 clients across four homes. As the region enters its next phase of maturity, this role focuses on deepening clinical excellence, enhancing the client and family experience, and refining systems to support sustainable growth. The ED oversees the full scope of programming within a 24/7 residential setting, ensuring high-quality, ethical, and trauma-informed care that aligns with Mission Prep’s philosophy of connection over control, empowerment, and identity development. This leader partners closely with Operations, Nursing, Admissions, Utilization Review, and Outreach to ensure strong interdisciplinary collaboration and program stability. Unlike a launch-focused role, the Los Angeles ED builds on a solid foundation, while strengthening clinical culture, increasing accountability, mentoring and developing clinicians, improving documentation quality, and driving consistency across homes. There is potential for future regional growth, and this role may evolve to include expanded leadership oversight as the program scales. Going beyond a typical 9-5, this position requires strong executive presence, sound clinical judgment, and the ability to balance strategic vision with day-to-day clinical leadership in a dynamic residential environment.

Requirements

Licensed clinician (LMFT, LCSW, LPCC, PsyD, PhD or equivalent) eligible to practice in California.
Senior clinical leader with experience in adolescent residential or intensive treatment settings.
Proven ability to build and lead teams in a 24/7 care environment.
Strong operational, financial, and systems-thinking skill set.
Comfortable with P&Ls, KPIs, and executive-level accountability.
Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to build something from the ground up.
Highly relational, grounded, and decisive leader who can balance compassion with accountability.
Flexible, available, and responsive beyond standard business hours when needed.

Responsibilities

Strengthen and elevate an established four-home, 24-bed adolescent residential program entering its next phase of clinical maturity.
Deepen fidelity to Mission Prep’s clinical model, curriculum, and philosophy while increasing consistency and quality across all Los Angeles homes.
Refine clinical systems, documentation standards, and treatment planning processes to ensure payor-ready, outcome-driven care.
Serve as the senior on-site leader responsible for program stability, culture, and outcomes.
Operate as an executive leader interfacing regularly with C-suite and organizational leadership.
Participate in strategic planning, leadership meetings, and cross-regional initiatives.
Represent the Los Angeles program with professionalism, confidence, and alignment with Mission Prep’s mission and values.
Balance autonomy with collaboration in a matrixed, multi-state organization.
Hire, onboard, train, and supervise the clinical team, including therapists and clinical mentors.
Provide or arrange weekly individual/triadic supervision and group supervision.
Lead trainings for both clinical and operations staff.
Address performance concerns and manage disciplinary actions for direct reports when needed.
Foster a culture of accountability, growth, and psychological safety.
Oversee clinical documentation and conduct weekly chart audits to ensure accuracy, compliance, and UR readiness.
Manage the daily census tracking and ensure clinical documentation supports authorization and continuity of care.
Serve as a clinical and operational leader during intakes, transitions, and discharges.
Serve as the primary liaison with Medical/Nursing, Operations, Facilities, Culinary/Chef, and Compliance.
Communicate consistently with Utilization Review (UR), Admissions, Clinical Outreach, HR, and Operations.
Support Clinical Outreach with tours, presentations, and off-site networking events.
Oversee the master program schedule, including Academics, Meals, Therapy groups, Outings, Appointments, and Family programming.
Maintain and update the clinical calendar and team schedules.
Collaborate with the Program Manager to plan therapeutic weekend activities.
Ensure smooth coordination across departments to support daily operations.
Lead and support staff during crises, including elopements, aggression, and high-acuity clinical situations.
Utilize trauma-informed, regulation-focused de-escalation strategies.
Facilitate Advocacy meetings and multidisciplinary discussions focused on client safety and care planning.
Provide steady leadership during high-stress situations.
Partner with Compliance to ensure readiness for State licensing and regulatory reviews, Incident reporting, and Audits and inspections.
Prepare for and lead Joint Commission surveys.
Ensure all compliance checks are completed accurately and on time.
Maintain strong documentation and regulatory relationships at the state level.
Implement Mission Prep’s existing clinical curriculum and therapeutic programming.
Assist in the refinement and evolution of curriculum, including client workbooks and assignments.
Ensure programming reflects Mission Prep’s philosophy and the developmental needs of adolescents.
Build and maintain positive relationships with neighbors and community stakeholders.
Serve as the Community Relations Liaison for the Minnesota region.
Address community concerns proactively and professionally.
Represent Mission Prep at local events and community forums as needed.
Maintain responsibility for program budget and P&L performance.
Monitor staffing ratios, census, and resource allocation.
Prepare and present Monthly Operating Reports to leadership.
Partner with operations leadership to ensure fiscal responsibility without compromising care quality.
Create and sustain a healthy, positive work environment for staff and clients.
Attend Weekly 1:1 with Supervisor.
Attend Weekly 1:1s with Direct Reports.
Attend Weekly Residential Supervisor Meetings.
Attend Weekly Advocacy Meetings.
Attend Monthly Mission Prep Leadership Meetings.
Attend Monthly AMFM Management Meetings.