Executive Director
General Description
The Executive Director (ED) serves as the on-site operational leader responsible for the overall performance, compliance, and culture of the facility. The ED is accountable for delivering high-quality, patient-centered care while ensuring regulatory compliance, staff engagement, and financial performance. This role oversees all aspects of facility operations, including clinical collaboration, staffing, census growth, and administrative functions, while partnering with ARS shared services to support scalable and efficient operations. This is a hands-on leadership role requiring strong operational discipline, team development, and the ability to build and scale systems in a startup or growth environment.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
Operate, ramp-up, and manage census growth plans aligned with staffing models and operational targets.
Maintain 24/7 accountability for facility operations, including staffing coverage and incident response.
Partner with shared services (HR, Admissions, Billing, Compliance) to ensure seamless operations.
Clinically collaborate with the Clinical Director and Medical Director to ensure high-quality, evidence-based care.
Ensure adherence to ASAM levels of care, Joint Commission standards, and state licensure requirements.
Monitor patient outcomes, length of stay, and program effectiveness.
Support a culture of trauma-informed, patient-centered care.
Build, lead, and develop a high-performing interdisciplinary team.
Set clear expectations aligned with company core values and performance standards.
Drive accountability through structured supervision, performance management, and coaching.
Own facility financial performance, including labor management and expense control.
Monitor census, payer mix, and revenue cycle performance.
Align staffing and scheduling with census and budget targets.
Partner with finance on forecasting and variance management.
Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and accreditation standards (Joint Commission readiness).
Oversee incident reporting, investigations, and corrective action planning.
Maintain audit-ready documentation, personnel files, and training compliance.
Partner with compliance leadership on mock surveys and readiness plans.
Support business development efforts to drive admissions and referral relationships.
Represent the organization in the community and with key stakeholders.
Optimize conversion and patient experience.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration, Business, Behavioral Health, or related field; 5+ years of leadership experience in behavioral health, SUD treatment, or healthcare operations; experience managing multidisciplinary teams in a residential or inpatient setting; demonstrated experience with regulatory compliance and licensing requirements; strong operational and financial management experience.
Preferred Qualifications: Master’s degree (MBA, MHA, or related field); experience opening or scaling a new facility; Joint Commission survey experience; experience in detox/residential and outpatient programming; familiarity with ASAM criteria and Medicaid/commercial payor environments.
Key Competencies
Operational Excellence & Execution
Leadership & Team Development
Accountability & Ownership
Financial Acumen
Regulatory & Compliance Expertise
Strategic Thinking with Hands-On Execution
Communication & Cross-Functional Collaboration
Crisis Management & Decision-Making
Work Conditions
Primarily on-site in a healthcare treatment environment.
May require evenings, weekends, and on-call availability.
Exposure to emotionally sensitive situations and individuals in recovery.
Fast-paced, startup-oriented environment requiring flexibility and adaptability.
Equal Employment Opportunity & Reasonable Accommodations
The organization provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. The organization provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable laws. If you require accommodation to perform the essential functions of this position, please notify your HR Rep. Requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to ensure equal employment opportunities. ARS also provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities or based on a sincerely held religious belief, in accordance with applicable laws.