Job Description:

Statewide Director, School-Based Services

Department: School-Based Services - Illinois
Employment Type: Full-Time
Schedule: Monday-Friday

Lead School-Based Mental Health Services That Change Lives

Are you a visionary behavioral health leader passionate about expanding access to mental health services for children and families? Join our mission-driven team as the Director of School-Based Services and play a key role in shaping the future of school-based behavioral healthcare across Illinois.

In this leadership position, you will provide strategic oversight for school-based programs, ensuring high-quality clinical services, operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and sustainable growth.

You'll collaborate with school districts, community partners, funding sources, and internal stakeholders to strengthen behavioral health services and improve outcomes for youth and families.

This is an exciting opportunity for an innovative leader who thrives on building teams, developing partnerships, and creating lasting community impact!

Why Join Us?

Compensation

• Salary Range: $90,000 -$112,000 annually

Outstanding Benefits

• 29 days of Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Eligible positions may qualify for HRSA Loan Repayment Assistance
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Company-paid basic life insurance
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with up to 5% employer match
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare & Dependent Care)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Wellness Program
• Emergency Medical Leave Program
• Employee Discount Program
• Mileage reimbursement (when applicable)

What You'll Do

Strategic Leadership & Program Development

• Provide leadership and oversight for all Illinois School-Based Services programs statewide.
• Develop and implement strategic initiatives that support program growth, sustainability, and service excellence.
• Identify opportunities to expand services and enhance access to behavioral healthcare in schools and communities.
• Monitor program outcomes, productivity, quality standards, and key performance indicators.

Clinical & Operational Oversight

• Ensure services are delivered in accordance with licensing standards, ethical guidelines, organizational policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Support quality assurance initiatives, chart reviews, utilization management, and compliance activities.
• Analyze program data to evaluate effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Oversee departmental orientation, training, and ongoing professional development initiatives.

Team Leadership & Workforce Development

• Recruit, hire, develop, and retain high-performing school-based staff.
• Provide supervision, coaching, mentoring, and performance management for assigned team members.
• Conduct regular evaluations and support employee growth and career advancement.
• Assess workforce training needs and coordinate clinical, documentation, and professional development opportunities.

School & Community Partnerships

• Develop and maintain strong partnerships with school districts, administrators, community organizations, and stakeholders.
• Serve as a behavioral health ambassador by educating schools and communities on the value and impact of school-based services.
• Collaborate with school personnel and community partners to improve access to care and support student success.
• Represent the organization through community presentations, meetings, and public engagement opportunities.

Collaboration & Consultation

• Consult with school personnel, families, and interdisciplinary teams regarding student behavioral health needs.
• Collaborate with internal clinical and operational leaders to ensure coordinated care and service delivery.
• Support grant development, contract management, and other organizational initiatives as needed.

Education & Licensure Requirements

• Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree, or equivalent advanced clinical degree in a behavioral health-related field.
• Current Illinois licensure required:
  • Psychologist
  • LSW
  • LPC
  • LCPC
  • LCSW
• Minimum of post-licensure clinical experience and leadership experience in behavioral healthcare, education, or related settings preferred.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience leading behavioral health, school-based, or community mental health programs.
• Strong understanding of child and adolescent behavioral health services.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, and family-centered treatment approaches.
• Experience with program development, quality improvement, and strategic planning.
• Proven ability to build collaborative relationships with school districts, community stakeholders, and organizational leaders.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and presentation skills.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Leadership Expectations

As a Director of School-Based Services, you will:

• Communicate and champion the organization's mission, vision, and strategic priorities.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.
• Lead change initiatives and support innovation across programs.
• Promote teamwork and encourage input from employees at all levels.
• Effectively navigate challenging personnel situations while maintaining professionalism, fairness, and respect.
• Inspire and empower teams to achieve outstanding results for the individuals and communities we serve.

Why Candidates Will Love This Role

Lead program growth. Build meaningful school partnerships. Develop future behavioral health professionals. Most importantly, help ensure children and families have access to the care they need to thrive.





Position Perks & Benefits:

Paid time off: full-time employees receive an attractive time off package to balance your work and personal life

Employee benefits package: full-time employees receive health, dental, vision, retirement, life, & more

Top-notch training: initial, ongoing, comprehensive, and supportive

Career mobility: advancement opportunities/promoting from within

Welcoming, warm, supportive: a work culture & environment that promotes your well-being, values you as human being, and encourages your health and happiness





Brightli is on a Mission:

A mission to improve client care, reduce the financial burden of community mental health centers by sharing resources, a mission to have a larger voice in advocacy to increase access to mental health and substance user care in our communities, and a mission to evolve the behavioral health industry to better meet the needs of our clients.

As a behavioral and community mental health provider, we prioritize fostering a culture of belonging and connection within our workforce. We encourage applications from individuals with varied backgrounds and experiences, as we believe that a rich tapestry of perspectives strengthens our mission. If you are passionate about empowering local communities and creating an environment where everyone feels valued and supported, we invite you to join our mission-driven organization dedicated to cultivating an authentic workplace.

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Preferred Family Health Care is a Smoke and Tobacco Free Workplace.