Clinical Director LMHP

Life Consultants Inc; Chesapeake (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus based on performance

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Paid time off

Vision insurance

Job summary

Life Consultants Inc. seeks a Clinical Director (LMHP) to own clinical execution across multiple regulated service lines in a fast-moving, highly regulated environment.

You will lead clinical supervisors and direct-care staff, set performance standards, and drive measurable outcomes while building durable systems and scalable accountability rhythms.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in counseling, social work, or related field.
• Active Virginia LMHP license (LCSW, LPC, or LMFT) required.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive clinical experience.
• At least 3 years of leadership experience in multi-program or multi-site environments.
• Deep working knowledge of DBHDS, DMAS, and MCO requirements.
• Strong data literacy and comfort with metrics, dashboards, and performance reporting.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and hold accountable clinical supervisors, clinicians, and direct-care staff across multiple programs.
• Set clear expectations, enforce standards, and address missed performance directly.
• Conduct performance evaluations tied to measurable KPIs (utilization, documentation timeliness, compliance scores, staff retention).
• Build leaders and systems—not individual heroics or constant fire-fighting.
• Strengthen existing leadership infrastructure rather than personally carrying clinical operations.

Skills

Leadership

Data literacy

Metrics & accountability

Strategic thinking

Communication

Education

Master’s degree in counseling or related field

Virginia LMHP license (LCSW/LPC/LMFT)

Job description

Benefits:

• Bonus based on performance
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Clinical Director (LMHP)

Execution-Focused | Compliance-Driven | High-Accountability Leadership Role

About This Role

This role is for a clinical operator, not a passive overseer. Life Consultants Inc. is seeking a Licensed Mental Health Professional (LMHP) to serve as Clinical Director and own clinical execution across multiple regulated service lines, including Residential Crisis Stabilization, Community Crisis, Mental Health Skill-Building, Intensive In-Home, and Transitional Housing.

This role requires decisive leadership, system-building, and consistent follow-through in a fast-moving, highly regulated environment.

You will thrive here if you:

• Enjoy accountability, metrics, and clarity
• Are comfortable operating with incomplete information
• Like building structure where none exists
• Address problems directly and early
• Translate vision into execution without hand-holding

You will struggle here if you:

• Avoid conflict or difficult conversations
• Dislike audits, regulations, or performance metrics
• Require excessive reassurance or daily direction
• Prefer consensus over ownership
• Want to remain primarily in a direct clinical role

This position reflects the organization’s next stage of growth and operational maturity.

What You Will Own

Leadership & Execution

• Lead, mentor, and hold accountable clinical supervisors, clinicians, and direct-care staff across multiple programs
• Set clear expectations, enforce standards, and address missed performance directly
• Conduct performance evaluations tied to measurable KPIs (utilization, documentation timeliness, compliance scores, staff retention)
• Build leaders and systems—not individual heroics or constant fire-fighting
• Strengthen existing leadership infrastructure rather than personally carrying clinical operations

Program Oversight & Development

• Develop, document, train, and enforce standardized clinical workflows and SOPs
• Establish and monitor quantitative program goals (occupancy, billable utilization, discharge follow-up, treatment-plan timelines)
• Review program data monthly, identify risks and trends, and take decisive corrective action
• Partner in the design and launch of new or expanded programs aligned with regulatory and community needs

Compliance & Quality Assurance

• Ensure 100% audit-ready compliance with DBHDS, DMAS, and MCO requirements
• Lead root-cause analysis and development of CAPs and QIPs when deficiencies occur
• Translate regulations into practical, executable policies staff can consistently follow
• Maintain internal monitoring systems that prevent repeat findings

Collaboration & Communication

• Work closely with Managing Director, HR, and Finance to align staffing, operations, and budgets
• Communicate key metrics, risks, and recommendations to executive leadership clearly and proactively
• Build and maintain strong external relationships with MCOs, referral sources, and community partners

Leadership Scope & Boundaries (Non-Negotiable)

This is a leadership and systems role. Direct clinical caseloads or routine clinical coverage are not core expectations.

Success comes from:

• Developing supervisors
• Enforcing standards
• Building durable systems
• Creating accountability rhythms that scale

CEO Reporting Reality

The Clinical Director reports directly to a fast-moving, execution-driven CEO.

Decision Authority & Independence

Once priorities, guardrails, and success metrics are aligned, the Clinical Director is expected to execute independently.

This role is not managed day-to-day by the CEO.

The CEO expects:

• Clear visibility through metrics and dashboards
• Early escalation of risks with data and options
• Closed loops and follow-through without reminders

Early identification of problems is viewed as leadership strength.

Avoidance, surprise, or delayed disclosure is not.

Candidates who succeed in this role are energized by ownership and accountability and do not require emotional reassurance to execute.

30 / 60 / 90-Day Success Outcomes

First 30 Days

• Full command of regulatory requirements across all programs
• Clear visibility into KPIs, risks, and operational gaps
• Established supervision, audit, and reporting cadence

By 60 Days

• Standardized workflows and documentation expectations live
• Quantitative dashboards reviewed monthly
• At least one material process improvement implemented

By 90 Days

• Sustained audit-ready posture across programs
• Measurable improvement in utilization and documentation timeliness
• Supervisors operating with clarity, ownership, and accountability

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in counseling, social work, or related field
• Active Virginia LMHP (LCSW, LPC, or LMFT required)
• Minimum 5 years of progressive clinical experience
• At least 3 years of leadership experience in multi-program or multi-site environments
• Demonstrated ability to build systems, enforce standards, and deliver measurable outcomes
• Deep working knowledge of DBHDS, DMAS, and MCO requirements
• Strong data literacy and comfort with metrics, dashboards, and performance reporting

How Success Is Measured

• 90%+ program occupancy and utilization
• 100% audit readiness and successful external reviews
• Staff retention above 80% within 12 months
• Continuous improvement in documentation timeliness
• Launch or expansion of at least one program annually

Performance Alignment

Performance bonuses are directly tied to measurable outcomes, including:

• Compliance performance
• Utilization targets
• Program growth and operational excellence

This role is designed so strong execution and sustained results are recognized and rewarded.

This Role Is Not for You If…

• You dislike audits or regulatory oversight
• You prefer clinical work over leadership and accountability
• You avoid difficult conversations or performance enforcement
• You need step-by-step direction to execute
• You are uncomfortable being measured by outcomes

Final Note

This role is demanding, visible, and impactful. For the right leader, it is also deeply rewarding.

If you are energized by ownership, clarity, and building systems that scale, we want to hear from you.