Senior Director of Mental Health

Lead With Purpose at One of the Region's Premier Nonprofits

Are you ready to shape the future of behavioral health at one of the most impactful nonprofit organizations in the Kansas City metro? Futures First is seeking a Senior Director of Mental Health to join our leadership team.

For 145 years, Futures First has been strengthening families, supporting early education, and promoting economic stability. As we enter this next chapter, we are expanding our commitment to behavioral health to ensure every child, family, and community has the opportunity to thrive. This role offers a unique opportunity to lead innovation in mental health services, champion equity in care, and build partnerships that shape the well-being of our region.

Futures First’s Theory of Change

At Futures First, we believe that every child deserves a strong foundation for success. Our Theory of Change focuses on addressing early childhood education, economic stability, and family well-being to create lasting community impact. We invest in evidence-based programs, advocacy, and partnerships to ensure children and families receive the support they need to thrive.

As Senior Director of Mental Health, you will play a crucial role in sustaining this vision, ensuring that clinical strategies align with our long-term goals and community impact.

The Opportunity

Futures First is seeking a Senior Director of Mental Health to lead the strategic vision and clinical direction of our behavioral health programs. This role ensures services are rooted in best practices, informed by data, and designed to create lasting impact for children, families, and communities.

The Senior Director will guide program development, foster a culture of excellence among staff, and strengthen partnerships that expand access to high-quality mental health care for young children and their families.

Team Structure & Direct Reports

As Senior Director of Mental Health, you will oversee the Behavioral Health Teams. You will lead a team of clinical managers, supervisors, and licensed mental health professionals, providing guidance, oversight, and professional development.

Your leadership will ensure that the behavioral health team delivers high-quality, effective services aligned with Futures First’s mission and strategic goals.

Compensation

The base salary for this position is 85,000–100,000 per year. The final offer will be determined based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, alignment with the requirements of the position, and internal equity.

In addition to the stated salary, Futures First offers a comprehensive Total Rewards package that includes benefits designed to support the health, well-being, and financial security of our employees.

Benefits Offered

• Medical Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
• Vision & Dental Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with matching up to 2%
• Yearly 5% employer retirement contribution
• Personal Time Off (PTO)
• Rolling Paid Holidays — instead of a fixed holiday schedule, employees may observe holidays that reflect their personal, cultural, or religious beliefs
• Flexible Work Schedules (Hybrid Model)

• Provide strategic leadership by setting the vision, aligning clinical practices with Futures First’s mission, and implementing evidence-based protocols.
• Oversee program development, evaluation, and continuous quality improvement (CQI) to ensure compliance and high-quality outcomes.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop clinical leaders and staff while supporting recruitment, onboarding, and retention.
• Use data analytics to guide decision-making, resource allocation, and strategic planning.
• Represent Futures First externally by building relationships with community partners, funders, and policymakers and advocating for mental health equity.
• Drive business development and innovation by identifying opportunities for program expansion, funding, and integration of best practices.

 Education & Experience 

• Master’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, or a related behavioral health field is required. A doctoral degree (PhD, PsyD, or EdD) in a behavioral health discipline is strongly preferred.
• Current clinical licensure (e.g., LCSW, LPC, LMFT, or licensed psychologist) in Kansas or Missouri, or eligibility for licensure.
• Minimum of 8–10 years of progressive leadership experience in behavioral health or clinical program management, with demonstrated expertise in mental health services for young children and their families.
• Demonstrated experience in clinical supervision, program development, and quality improvement.
• Proven track record of strategic planning, data-driven decision-making, and team leadership.
• Experience in community-based organizations, nonprofit settings, or integrated care environments is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with grant-funded programs, reporting requirements, and standards of care.
• Bilingual fluency in written and oral English/Spanish is preferred.  

Why Join Futures First?

At Futures First, you will be part of a highly respected organization committed to strengthening children, families, and communities across the Kansas City metro area. You will join a collaborative team that values relationships, innovation, and continuous improvement while making a meaningful impact on the quality of early care and education experiences for children and families. 

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Futures First is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected status.

If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, contact Nicole Benoit at [email protected] to discuss your needs.