Assistant Director of Veteran Mental Health Services

About the role

Mental Health America of Los Angeles (MHALA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving mental health services, advocacy, and training. MHALA supports over 19,000 low-income and no-income individuals annually with integrated services in mental and physical healthcare, homelessness and housing, supported employment, and wellness and financial services. Special programs are available for Veterans and transition-age youth. MHALA fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace culture, offering competitive salaries, benefits, and a 35-hour workweek.

Responsibilities

• Leads the recruitment, hiring, supervising, training, and evaluating assigned staff in accordance with organization policy, funder expectations, and applicable laws and regulations.
• Ensures ongoing quality assurance checks of member files, ensuring all notes and data collection are complete, timely, and accurate in the database and/or e-charts through ongoing chart reviews.
• Aligns program goals with MHALA’s strategic priorities and community needs.
• Leads the implementation of evidence-based, person-centered service models that address the complex needs of homeless and at-risk veterans and their families.
• Oversees program budgets, spending plans, and fiscal performance to ensure alignment with funding requirements and agency goals in collaboration with the Vice President of Veterans, Housing, Homeless and Outreach.
• Serves as a key liaison to the Veterans Administration and other regional partners, fostering strong relationships to enhance service coordination and advocacy.
• Represents MHALA in community coalitions and regional initiatives focused on ending veteran homelessness, often taking a leadership role in capacity-building efforts.
• Cultivates partnerships with housing providers, veteran organizations, and community-based agencies to expand access to critical resources.
• Fosters a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement through coaching, training, and performance development.
• Collaborates with the South County Senior Director of Veteran Services to implement quality assurance systems that ensure audit readiness and service excellence.
• Leads site planning, staff development, and cross-functional coordination to enhance operational efficiency and morale.
• Oversees timely and accurate data reporting for all programs, ensuring compliance with funder requirements and internal benchmarks.
• Analyzes program outcomes and service trends to inform strategic decisions and drive continuous quality improvement.
• Pairs with the Vice President of Veterans, Housing, Homeless and Outreach to evaluate and refine service models, ensuring responsiveness to emerging needs and best practices.
• Collaborates with the Vice President of Veterans, Housing, Homeless and Outreach and program teams to ensure ongoing readiness for CARF accreditation and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• Collaborates with leadership and staff across the Homeless Outreach Services, Homeless Service Center, and Support Services departments to support program operations, address organizational needs, and promote continuity of services.

Requirements

• Minimum five years of progressive leadership experience in social services, with a strong preference for experience in veteran services or homelessness response.
• Demonstrated success in managing complex programs, supervising multidisciplinary teams, and building high-performing cultures.
• Strong fiscal management skills, including budget development, monitoring, and reporting.
• Deep knowledge of community resources, housing systems, and veteran-specific services.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with data systems and reporting platforms preferred.
• Veteran status is valued but not required.
• Must possess a valid Class C driver’s license, reliable transportation, and meet MHALA’s insurance requirements.
• Driving with current class C driver’s license, a vehicle for transportation, proof of valid automobile insurance, the ability to be insured by MHALA’s liability insurance are conditions of employment.
• TB clearance and re-testing every year are conditions of continued employment.
• Covid-19 vaccinations or booster shots are not currently required, however this may become a requirement in the future. Failure to abide by any agency policy, including those relating to a vaccine or booster shot may result in termination of employment.