GILEAD - Program Director

Oak Hill/Gilead • Old Saybrook, CT

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Gilead Community Services seeks an experienced and committed leader to serve as the Residential Program Director for their Adolescent program located in Old Saybrook, CT. The role involves providing clinical and administrative oversight of a therapeutic residential setting, ensuring high-quality, trauma-informed care for youth with behavioral health challenges. This is a unique opportunity to lead a clinically rich adolescent program that delivers trauma-informed, restorative care with a strong focus on building skills for success, valuing diversity, and increasing self-esteem. The program integrates models such as Attachment, Self-Regulation, and Competency (ARC), Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI), and The Council for Boys & Young Men of the One Circle Foundation, while partnering closely with onsite clinicians and prescribers. The successful candidate will lead a program focused on supporting young men, between the ages of 14 – 20 years old, and their families in building skills to address internal and interpersonal barriers preventing them from living successfully and independently in the community. The position ensures compliance with DCF licensing, contractual requirements, and CARF standards while fostering strong, collaborative relationships with families, neighbors, and the local community to support a positive and responsive group home environment.

Requirements

• Master’s degree required.
• Must hold (or be eligible for) CT associate-level clinical licensure and be working toward full licensure (LCSW, LPC, LMFT).
• 6+ years of experience in adolescent mental health.
• Experience in administrative supervision.
• A calm, steady presence to a fast-paced program for adolescent males, ability to manage competing needs and lead effectively in a dynamic and demanding environment.
• A hands-on, engaged leader who thrives in a dynamic, 24/7 environment that is comfortable rolling up your sleeves, supporting the staff and youth participants.
• A valid driver’s license and automobile insurance.

Nice To Haves

• Union and previous program oversight experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee clinical and administrative operations for an adolescent residential mental health program.
• 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 staff, ensuring strong performance and continuous growth.
• Oversee staffing levels, hiring, and retention efforts in partnership with Human Resources.
• Develops a positive, supportive work environment that promotes staff engagement and job satisfaction.
• Monitors and maintains compliance with contractual and licensing requirements (DCF, CARF, etc.).
• Build and maintain relations with clinical, educational, and managed care system partners (i.e., DCF area offices, Carelon, special education and local educational school systems, the legal system, etc.).
• Responds to after-hours needs on a rotating on-call basis to support program continuity and risk management.
• Act as liaison to municipal, state, private, and community partners.
• Collaborate with Gilead’s other program leaders to improve policy, develop, and refine services implementation aligned with organizational goals.
• Participates as a champion of Gilead’s culture through agency development initiatives and community events.

Benefits

• Starting salary of $83,00 to $93,000 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: Manager