If you’ve built your career in behavioral health and are ready for a role where your experience can influence more than the day-to-day operation of a department, this opportunity deserves a closer look.

You’ll join an experienced behavioral health team with deep clinical knowledge across inpatient mental health and substance use disorder services—and the resources and leadership support to turn good ideas into better patient care.

As Director of Behavioral Services, you’ll have the authority to develop your team, strengthen clinical programs, improve outcomes, and help determine how behavioral health services evolve across the organization.

Lead Behavioral Health Services in New York's Finger Lakes Region

We are seeking an experienced Director of Behavioral Services to provide clinical, operational, and administrative leadership for an established inpatient behavioral health program in Ithaca, New York.

The Director will have responsibility for clinical operations, patient safety, staffing, regulatory compliance, quality improvement, budgeting, and overall departmental performance. You will work closely with physicians, nursing leadership, social workers, therapists, and other clinical professionals to deliver high-quality, patient-centered behavioral healthcare.

What You'll Lead | As Director of Behavioral Services, you will:

Provide overall leadership, direction, supervision, and evaluation of inpatient behavioral health treatment services.
Lead the clinical and administrative operations of the department.
Develop, implement, and evaluate departmental policies, procedures, programs, and performance standards.
Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory, accreditation, patient-safety, and organizational requirements.
Oversee staffing levels, workforce planning, employee performance, and departmental resources.
Provide administrative and clinical supervision to assigned team members.
Conduct performance evaluations and establish professional goals and development objectives.
Develop and manage the departmental operating budget.
Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, control costs, and enhance revenue while maintaining excellent patient care.
Monitor patient-care outcomes and use data to identify opportunities for continuous quality improvement.
Lead performance-improvement initiatives and implement measurable strategies for improving clinical and operational outcomes.
Partner with health-system leaders in utilization review, corporate compliance, operations, quality, and patient safety.
Collaborate with physicians, nurses, social workers, therapists, and other disciplines to support effective treatment programs.
Contribute to the strategic development of the organization's broader behavioral health and substance use disorder service line.
Foster a culture of safety, accountability, collaboration, respect, and patient-centered care.

What We're Looking For | Required Qualifications

BSN or New York State LMSW
Demonstrated clinical and administrative leadership capabilities
Experience working with individuals experiencing mental health conditions
Ability to effectively lead clinical operations, staff, budgets, and departmental resources

Preferred Qualifications

5+ years of leadership experience in an acute mental health or inpatient behavioral health setting
Master's degree such as an MSN, MBA, MHA, or another leadership-focused graduate degree
Certification in psychiatry or another applicable behavioral health specialty
Experience leading inpatient behavioral health programs
Demonstrated success with quality improvement, patient safety, and regulatory compliance

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This position offers the opportunity to take ownership of a significant inpatient behavioral health program while influencing the future direction of behavioral health and substance use disorder services within a growing healthcare organization.

You'll have the opportunity to combine clinical leadership with operational strategy, developing teams, improving outcomes, strengthening programs, and helping ensure patients receive safe, effective, compassionate care.

Why Ithaca, New York?

Located in the heart of New York's beautiful Finger Lakes Region, Ithaca combines the amenities of a vibrant university community with exceptional access to nature and outdoor recreation.

The area offers:

Home to Cornell University and Ithaca College
Finger Lakes scenery, waterfalls, parks, and hiking trails
A vibrant restaurant, arts, music, and cultural community
Excellent schools and a strong sense of community
Year-round outdoor recreation
An exceptional quality of life with a more balanced pace of living

Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit their résumé for confidential consideration.

2026 Recreation Opportunities in Ithaca, NY

CRNA - Base to the $300Ks in Upstate NY - Weekdays Only & LOANS Offered

Director of Behavioral Services

Apply to jobs. Hear back every time.