GILEAD - Program Director

About the role

Gilead Community Services, Inc., established in 1968, provides high-quality services supporting people in recovery from mental health and substance use challenges. Our programs focus on improving mental health, physical well-being, and community integration through excellence, compassion, innovation, and integrity.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical and administrative oversight of a therapeutic residential setting, ensuring high-quality, recovery-oriented care for adults seeking to build skills for independent living.
• Lead two highly valued, clinically rich coeducational adult programs that deliver high quality rehabilitative services in a strength-based model serving individuals with chronic mental health and co-occurring substance use challenges.
• Ensure services align with Gilead’s mission and recovery principles, emphasizing trauma-informed, person-centered care.
• Guide admissions, service planning, and discharge processes to maximize impact and maintain fiscal stability.
• Ensure provision of evidence-based best treatment modalities, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive clinical care.
• Supervise and develop clinical and program staff, ensuring strong performance and continuous growth.
• Oversee staffing levels, hiring, and retention efforts in partnership with Human Resources.
• Develop a positive, supportive work environment that promotes staff engagement and job satisfaction.
• Navigate regulatory and system complexity, monitoring and maintaining compliance with contractual and licensing requirements (DMHAS, CARF, DPH, etc.), and especially with Medicaid Rehab Option billing requirements.
• Build and maintain relationships with clinical and managed care system partners.
• Collaborate with Gilead’s other program leaders to improve policy, develop, and refine services implementation aligned with organizational goals.
• Participate as a champion of Gilead’s culture through agency development initiatives and community events.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree required.
• Must hold (or be eligible for) CT associate-level clinical licensure and be working toward full licensure (LCSW, LPC, LMFT), with 6+ years of experience in the field of mental health and addictions.
• Experience in administrative supervision.
• Union and previous program oversight experience preferred.
• A calm, steady presence to a fast-paced program for adults, ability to manage competing needs and lead effectively in a dynamic and demanding environment.
• Experience with severe and prolonged mental illness, and substance abuse disorders through supervision, staff training, education, and program development.
• A hands-on, engaged leader who thrives in a dynamic, 24/7 environment that is comfortable rolling up your sleeves, supporting the staff and participants.
• A valid driver’s license and automobile insurance.

Benefits

• Starting salary of $83,000 to $93,000 annually.
• Generous paid time off (up to 4 weeks paid vacation, 13 holidays, 2 paid personal days, 12 sick days).
• Truly affordable medical, dental, and vision benefits that save you nearly 50% more than the national average.
• Investment in your future through our 401(k)-retirement plan and match, scholarship programs, tuition reimbursement, and professional development opportunities.
• Paid long-term disability insurance and affordable short- and long-term life insurance options.
• We support equality for and advancement of all people, based on their qualifications and actions alone, without regard to color, gender, age, religion, national origin or disability.
• An Equal Opportunity Employer.