Senior Executive, Adult Behavioral Health Operations

Merakey • Lafayette, LA

13d • Onsite

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Executive Director provides statewide strategic and operational leadership for Adult Behavioral Health programs across Louisiana. The role oversees program leaders and ensures high-quality, recovery-oriented services. Reporting to the Senior Vice President, the Executive Director is accountable for operational and financial performance, including productivity, budgets, quality outcomes, and service delivery.

This hands-on leadership position assesses complex operational challenges, improves processes and systems, addresses underperformance, and implements sustainable solutions that deliver measurable results. The Executive Director leads and develops executive-level teams, establishes clear performance expectations, and holds leaders accountable. The position is based in Louisiana and requires regular statewide travel, a visible leadership presence, relationship-building with regional and program leaders, and direct work with teams to drive consistent performance across locations.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in social services, behavioral health, business, health administration, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience with increasing responsibility and scope, preferably in provider-side behavioral health operations.
• Experience leading multi-site or statewide operations and managing executive-level staff and leadership teams.
• Proven success turning around underperforming programs, improving operational performance, and implementing sustainable process and systems improvements.
• Demonstrated accountability for operational and financial results, including productivity, budgets, and service delivery outcomes.
• Strong strategic planning, performance management, decision-making, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate strategy into measurable results.
• Ability to partner effectively with clinical, operational, and executive leadership.
• Ability and willingness to be based in Louisiana and travel regularly throughout the state.

Nice To Haves

• Provider-side behavioral health experience, particularly in complex, multi-site or statewide operations.
• Familiarity with Louisiana’s behavioral health system and service delivery environment.
• Experience leading organizational change and improving program productivity and financial sustainability.

Responsibilities

• Provide statewide strategic and operational leadership for Adult Behavioral Health programs across Louisiana.
• Oversee program leaders and ensure high-quality, recovery-oriented services.
• Manage operational and financial performance, including productivity, budgets, quality outcomes, and service delivery.
• Assess complex operational challenges, improve processes and systems, address underperformance, and implement sustainable solutions.
• Lead and develop executive-level teams, establish clear performance expectations, and hold leaders accountable for results.
• Lead program turnarounds and improve underperforming operations.
• Build strong relationships with regional and program leaders and work directly with teams to drive consistent performance across locations.
• Maintain a visible leadership presence and travel regularly throughout Louisiana.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus access to healthcare advocacy support.
• Retirement plan with pre-tax and Roth employee contribution options.
• DailyPay access to earned pay.
• On the Goga well-being platform, featuring self-care tools and resources.
• Access to Care.com for backup childcare, elder care, and household services.
• Confidential counseling, legal, and financial services through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Tuition reimbursement and educational partnerships.
• Employee discounts and savings programs on entertainment, travel, and lifestyle.
• Free online personal development classes through Pryor Online Learning.

What This Job Offers

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