Blue Ridge Behavioral Health is seeking an experienced, mission-driven Executive Director to lead our Kingsport detoxification and residential substance use disorder (SUD) treatment facility. The Executive Director is accountable for the overall operation and performance of the program, including staffing, financial results, quality of care, patient outcomes, safety, and census, as well as compliance with accrediting and licensing bodies. This leader oversees the nursing, clinical, and operations teams and partners closely with the Medical Director to ensure that every client receives safe, ethical, evidence-based care. The ideal candidate combines hands-on knowledge of SUD treatment with proven leadership and business acumen, and is equally comfortable coaching a team, working with regulators and payers, and representing the facility in the community. Responsibilities Provide overall leadership and day-to-day management of the facility, including its detoxification and residential SUD treatment programs, ensuring safe, high-quality, person-centered care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Own the operations and key performance indicators (KPIs) of the program, including staffing levels, financial performance, quality, patient outcomes, safety, and census volume; track and report results on a regular schedule and lead corrective action when targets are not met. Oversee the nursing, clinical, and operations teams, providing direction, accountability, coaching, and support to department leaders and staff. Work collaboratively with the Medical Director on medical services, clinical protocols, provider oversight, quality assurance, and program development, and ensure clear communication between medical, nursing, clinical, and operations leadership. Develop and manage the annual operating budget; monitor revenue, expenses, and productivity; and manage staffing costs, supplies, and vendor spending to meet financial targets. Drive census growth and admissions performance in partnership with Chief Growth Officer, including oversight of the intake and admissions process, and utilization review and payer authorization workflows. Be responsible for the program's compliance with all accrediting and licensing bodies, ensuring continuous compliance with TDMHSAS licensure rules, CARF accreditation standards, CMS and payer requirements, and all applicable federal and state regulations, including
HIPAA, 42 CFR
Part 2, and patient rights. Maintain survey and accreditation readiness at all times; serve as the primary contact for surveyors and licensing bodies; and oversee the development and completion of plans of correction. Lead the facility's quality assurance and performance improvement, risk management, and safety programs, including incident and adverse-event review, grievance resolution, environment of care, infection control, and emergency preparedness. Monitor patient outcomes, including length of stay, successful completion, transitions to the next level of care, and readmissions, and use data to guide clinical and operational improvements. Ensure medication safety and controlled substance handling practices are followed in coordination with the Medical Director, nursing leadership, and pharmacy partners. Participate in community outreach and business development efforts, building referral relationships with hospitals, emergency departments, courts, law enforcement, community providers, and other partners, and representing Blue Ridge Behavioral Health in the community. Participate in an administrator on-call rotation and respond to urgent operational, staffing, or safety concerns and critical incidents, including after hours. Serve as a member of the executive leadership team, providing regular updates to ownership on performance, risks, opportunities, and strategic priorities. Qualifications Experience in SUD treatment, including detoxification and residential levels of care, is required; working knowledge of ASAM criteria and medically monitored or managed withdrawal is strongly preferred. Demonstrated leadership experience managing multidisciplinary teams, including nursing and clinical staff, in a behavioral health or healthcare setting; multi-department or facility-level leadership experience is preferred. Licensed nurse (RN) or licensed clinical therapist (such as LCSW, LPC, or LMFT) preferred. A candidate without a clinical license who is a well-experienced leader and operator in SUD or behavioral health treatment will be strongly considered. Bachelor's degree in nursing, social work, counseling, psychology, healthcare or business administration, or a related field required; master's degree preferred. Proven ability to manage a budget and drive financial performance, including staffing costs, productivity, and census-driven revenue. Working knowledge of TDMHSAS licensing standards, CARF accreditation, HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and other regulations governing SUD treatment facilities, or a willingness to learn quickly. Experience using data and KPIs to manage performance, including quality, outcomes, and safety metrics. Strong communication, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to collaborate with physicians, providers, ownership, payers, regulators, and community partners. Ability to remain calm and decisive in crisis situations; willingness to participate in an administrator on-call rotation and to be available outside regular business hours as needed. Ability to pass a background check and any pre-employment screening required by state licensing standards.
