Director of Operations

Job Title: Director of Operations

Location: Facility

Department: Operations

Reports To: VP’s of Operation, COO

Position Summary

The Director of Operations is responsible for the overall operational performance and strategic implementation of policies, programs, and systems across substance abuse and mental health treatment facilities. This role ensures service excellence, regulatory compliance, fiscal accountability, and employee engagement while driving operational efficiency and enhancing patient experience. The Director works closely with clinical, administrative, and corporate leadership to support the mission of delivering high-quality, evidence-based behavioral health care.  

Key Responsibilities

Operational Oversight

• Direct day-to-day operations across in-patient detox, Residential, and support services.
• Collaborate with Clinical, Nursing, Admissions, HR, and Compliance to ensure alignment of services.
• Develop and implement operational policies and procedures to optimize performance and safety.
• Manage facility licensing and accreditation processes (e.g., Joint Commission, CARF, DCF, SAMHSA).
• Manage overall patient census.

Strategic Leadership

• Assist in developing and executing short- and long-term strategic plans.
• Identify opportunities for program enhancements.
• Participate in decision making and contribute to organizational planning.

Regulatory & Compliance Management

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations related to behavioral health, including HIPAA, OSHA, DOH, Joint Commision, CARF, DEA. 
• Lead internal audits and readiness for licensing inspections and third-party reviews.
• Manage Life Safety, Emergency Management, and Environment of Care.

Team Management & Development

• Provide overall leadership and direction for all facility staff, while supervising, mentoring, and developing department managers and administrative leadership.
• Support staff development through coaching, training, and performance management.
• Foster a positive work culture that prioritizes ethics, accountability, and inclusivity.
• Apply best practices in recruiting, hiring, and monitoring the onboarding progress of new hires.
• Ensure that all training and corrective actions are conducted consistently, thoroughly documented, and submitted to Human Resources in a timely manner.  

Quality & Performance Improvement

• Oversee quality assurance initiatives, incident tracking, and risk management.
• Track KPIs related to census, admissions, patient outcomes, and utilization review.
• Use data to implement continuous improvement strategies and drive measurable results.

Financial & Resource Management

• Collaborate with Corporate leadership to develop and monitor departmental budgets, forecasts, and cost-containment strategies.
• Ensure responsible utilization of resources and procurement of operational needs.
• Collaborate with Finance to monitor billing, the Utilization Review department, and financial performance.
• Manage Payroll budgets. 

Patient & Community Engagement

• Promote a patient-centered approach throughout service delivery.
• Referral Management collaboration with business development department. 
• Supervise Patient Care Specialists and oversee discharge planning.
• Maintain company hospitality standards and practices.

Qualifications

Required:

• Minimum 3 years of progressive leadership in a behavioral health, substance abuse, or healthcare setting.
• In-depth understanding of behavioral health regulations and operational requirements.
• Demonstrated success in managing multidisciplinary teams.
• Financial proficiency in budget management. 

Preferred:

• Experience with Joint Commission, CARF, state and federal regulatory bodies. 
• Familiarity with state-specific health department regulations (e.g., DCF in Florida).
• Experience with EMR and CRM software.

Core Competencies

• Strategic thinking and execution
• Operational and financial acumen
• Regulatory and compliance expertise
• Crisis management and problem-solving
• Leadership and organizational development
• Communication and relationship building