Director, Counseling and Psychological Services

Overview

Director, Counseling and Psychological Services role at UC San Diego Health.

Location:

Campus. Appointment Type:
Career. 100% effort. Salary: $210,600 - $250,000 per year. Openings: 1.

Work Schedule:

Days, 8 hour shifts, Monday - Friday.

The mission of the Student Health & Well-Being (SHW) cluster is to promote a culture of health and well-being for the student community, deliver equitable high quality innovative services, incorporate inclusive approaches, and celebrate diversity, with the goal of adoption and maintenance of healthy behaviors contributing to the academic success and personal development of all students. CAPS delivers campus-based mental health services to registered UC San Diego students and is accredited and continuously evaluated for quality improvement.

The Director of Counseling and Psychological Services operates with autonomy, guides strategy, and ensures alignment with campus priorities. The Director oversees the design, implementation, oversight and evaluation of counseling, psychiatric, and student-development services, with accountability for outcomes, budget, facilities and personnel. The role requires leadership in talent management, staffing, and creating a positive, wellness-centered culture. The Director ensures compliance with accreditation standards and participates in external professional leadership activities.

This role demands strategic foresight, operational mastery, clinical expertise, and a deep commitment to student-centered care to maintain UC San Diego as a leader in mental health innovation in higher education.

• People Management & Supervision

  The Director oversees CAPS personnel functions, including recruitment, performance management, professional development, and organizational design for clinical and administrative teams. Supervises CAPS’ Management Team and key administrative and clinical leaders with accountability and transparent decision-making.

• Strategic Planning & Resource Management

  Leads strategic planning for student mental health, manages budget and facilities, technology, information systems, and research infrastructure. Uses data-driven analysis to anticipate service needs and guide programmatic responses.

• Operational Excellence & Service Delivery

  Ensures delivery of integrated clinical services (urgent care, crisis intervention, outreach, consultation, psychiatric care). Develops policies, protocols, and workflows to sustain quality, compliance with accreditation standards (IACS, AAAHC) and supports the APIC Postdoctoral Residency Program.

• Collaboration & Relationship Building

  Represents the Executive Director on campus and with external partners; fosters cross-organizational collaboration for coordinated care, crisis response, and public health initiatives.

• Ethics, Integrity & Accountability

  Ensures ethical and compliant clinical operations, risk management, credentialing, and adherence to laws and UC policies. Manages critical incidents with safety and ethics in mind.

• Innovation & Change Leadership

  Champions innovation in mental health delivery, including new technologies and data tools; supports continuous improvement and new practices.

• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

  Advances DEI in CAPS programs, staffing, and training; supports an inclusive environment for a diverse campus.

• Campus & Systemwide Leadership

  Serves on relevant committees and collaborates with campus and health system leadership; participates in professional associations to bring best practices to UC San Diego.

• Leadership Outcomes

  Delivers measurable CAPS outcomes: improved access, stronger crisis response, enhanced staff performance and engagement, and data-informed program effectiveness. Aligns with mission and strategic goals.

• Bachelor’s degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

• Eight (8) or more years in university counseling centers as clinician and administrator, innovating and managing community-based mental health services.

• Thorough knowledge of clinical operations, health care delivery systems, and CAPS services; experience managing a mental health clinic and related…