Senior Director of Behavioral Health

Jewish Family Service • Buffalo, NY

8h • $90,000 - $95,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Director of Behavioral Health provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and clinical program development for Jewish Family Services of WNY's behavioral health division. This position is responsible for ensuring the delivery of high-quality, accessible, and financially sustainable behavioral health services while advancing the agency's strategic vision for growth.

The Senior Director oversees key behavioral health leaders, including the Director of Clinical Services, Director of Critical Time Intervention (CTI), and Associate Director of Clinical Operations. This position is responsible for driving performance across existing programs, developing new service lines, and expanding integrated models of care, including Integrated Behavioral Health (IBH) and substance use disorder treatment services under OASAS licensure.

The Senior Director of Behavioral Health reports directly to the Vice President of Behavioral Health & Wellness Programs and provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and clinical program development for Jewish Family Services of WNY's behavioral health division. As a key member of the agency's senior leadership team, the Senior Director works collaboratively with executive leadership, program directors, community partners, funders, and regulatory agencies to advance the agency's mission, strategic priorities, and long-term growth objectives.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, Psychology, Public Health, Healthcare Administration, or related field required.
• Independent clinical licensure preferred (LCSW, LMHC, Psychologist, or equivalent).
• Minimum of 3-5 years of senior management experience overseeing multiple programs and leaders.
• Experience with OMH-licensed programs required.
• Experience with OASAS programs, integrated behavioral health models, or healthcare integration required.
• Demonstrated experience developing new programs and leading organizational growth initiatives.
• Experience managing budgets, contracts, grants, and regulatory compliance.
• Strong understanding of behavioral health regulations, reimbursement systems, and healthcare delivery models.
• Knowledge of Integrated Behavioral Health and value-based care models.
• Experience building partnerships with healthcare systems, managed care organizations, and government agencies.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong strategic planning and project management abilities.
• Ability to analyze data and translate findings into operational improvements.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive care.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight for all behavioral health service lines.
• Supervise and support the Director of Clinical Services, Director of CTI, and Associate Director of Clinical Operations.
• Develop and execute strategic initiatives that align with organizational goals and community needs.
• Establish division-wide performance expectations and accountability measures.
• Monitor program outcomes, quality indicators, client satisfaction, and operational performance.
• Lead continuous quality improvement initiatives across behavioral health programs.
• Collaborate with agency leadership to ensure alignment between behavioral health services and broader organizational priorities.
• Identify opportunities for new behavioral health services and program expansion.
• Lead the development and implementation of Integrated Behavioral Health (IBH) models in collaboration with healthcare and community partners.
• Oversee planning and implementation of OASAS licensure and substance use disorder treatment services, in collaboration with the Vice President of Behavioral Health and Wellness.
• Develop innovative treatment models that address co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, in collaboration with the Vice President of Behavioral Health and Wellness.
• Pursue grant opportunities, contracts, and funding initiatives that support program growth.
• Conduct environmental scans and community needs assessments to identify emerging service opportunities.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with healthcare systems, government agencies, managed care organizations, and community stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable OMH, OASAS, Medicaid, Medicare, and accreditation requirements.
• Support clinical leadership in maintaining high standards of care and evidence-based practice.
• Monitor regulatory changes and implement operational and clinical adjustments as needed.
• Promote trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and person-centered care throughout all service lines.
• Support workforce development, staff training, supervision structures, and clinical excellence initiatives.
• Develop and manage behavioral health program budgets in partnership with agency leadership.
• Monitor program financial performance, revenue generation, and expense management.
• Ensure the financial sustainability of behavioral health programs through effective resource allocation, strategic planning, and ongoing performance monitoring.
• Oversee program revenue cycle performance, including service utilization, documentation compliance, billing practices, claim submission processes, and reimbursement trends.
• Partner with clinical, operational, and billing teams to ensure services are documented, coded, and billed accurately and in accordance with payer, regulatory, and agency requirements.
• Monitor key financial and operational metrics and implement corrective action plans when performance falls below established targets.
• Identify operational efficiencies and opportunities for sustainable growth.
• Utilize data and performance metrics to guide decision-making and strategic planning.
• Ensure appropriate infrastructure, staffing models, and technology systems are in place to support program operations.
• Foster a culture consistent with JFS values: Be Resolute, Be Purpose-Built, and Be A Mensch.
• Mentor and develop behavioral health leaders to build organizational capacity and succession planning.
• Promote employee engagement, collaboration, accountability, and innovation.
• Lead division-wide planning, communication, and change management initiatives.

Benefits

• Competitive salary of $90,000 - $95,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Health, Dental, and Vision insurance.
• Accrued Paid Time Off (PTO) of 4+ weeks in addition to an agency wide shut down between Christmas and New Year's Day.
• 401k retirement plan with agency contribution of 4%.
• 13+ observed holidays annually.
• Reduced full-time work week of 35 hours and early close on Fridays.

What This Job Offers

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