Vice President of Behavioral Health

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Full Time Chicago, IL, US

5 days ago Requisition

Salary Range: $ To $ Annually

The Vice President of Behavioral Health drives change and innovation and provides executive leadership, strategic direction and operational oversight for all behavioral health programs and initiatives. This position ensures that services are clinically effective, financially sustainable, compliant with regulations, and aligned with the Anixter's mission. This position works in close collaboration with the CEO and other members of the executive team and builds collaborative relationships between the various mental health programs, across the different service lines within Anixter and cultivates positive referral relationships with external stakeholders.

• Lead the design of and implementation of strategic initiatives to enhance behavioral health services and community impact.
• Lead program expansion, partnerships, and innovation in behavioral health care delivery models.
• Champion change management efforts to improve service delivery, operational efficiency, and workforce engagement.
• Communicate vision and strategy clearly to stakeholders, fostering transparency and trust during periods of change.
• Stay informed on industry trends, regulations, and best practices to guide organizational decision-making.
• Build strong collaborations between BH programs at Anixter and between BH programs and other Anixter service lines/departments
• Present BH metrics and initiatives to Anixter’s Board of Directors

• Oversee daily operations of behavioral health programs, including residential, outpatient, and community-based services.
• Ensure quality and performance metrics meet or exceed accreditation and regulatory standards.
• Develop and manage budgets, monitor financial performance, and implement cost-effective service models.
• Ensure programs are achieving direct service goals and documenting services provided in a timely manner.
• Optimize intake workflows to ensure that persons seeking services can get into services as quickly as possible

• Ensure adherence to all clinical, ethical, and legal standards, including state, federal, and accreditation requirements.
• Promote a culture of clinical excellence and evidence-based practice.
• Oversee quality improvement initiatives and outcomes measurement.
• Supervise and participate in the on-call phone responsibilities as a BH supervisor.
• Support risk management initiatives including Critical Incident Review Committee, Medication Errors Committee and OIG reporting.
• Supervise and mentor behavioral health directors, clinical managers, and other senior staff.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and trauma-informed work culture.
• Lead recruitment, training, and retention of highly qualified clinical and administrative staff.
• Role model transparent and authentic communication with all team members.
• Develop and execute change management plans that include communication, stakeholder engagement, and training strategies.
• Assess program/department readiness for change and develop strategies to minimize resistance and promote adoption.
• Mentor leaders and staff to navigate transitions effectively, supporting both morale and productivity.
• Align change initiatives with organizational values and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) principles

• Serve as a key liaison with community partners, healthcare systems, government agencies, and payers.
• Advocate for behavioral health needs and represent the organization in public forums, task forces, and industry associations.
• Build relationships that support integrated care and population health initiatives.
• Develop and present trainings on BH topics and/or Anixter to enhance Anixter’s visibility in the community

• Master’s or Doctoral degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Nursing, Public Health, or a related field.
• Must be an LPHA;
  Licensed or license-eligible in a behavioral health discipline (e.g., LCSW, LPC, LMFT, PhD, PsyD, RN).
• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in behavioral health management
• Strong knowledge of behavioral health systems, managed care, regulatory standards, CARF accreditation, and integrated healthcare models.
• Demonstrated success in strategic planning, budget management, and team leadership.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.