Community Partnerships & Admissions Strategy Lead

The Healing Place; Wilmington (NC); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Healing Place of New Hanover County in Wilmington, NC seeks a Community Engagement & Business Development Manager to grow referral partnerships and improve access to low-barrier withdrawal management and recovery services.

You will lead outreach to hospitals, behavioral health providers, courts, and community groups, track referrals and census, report metrics to leadership, and ensure ethical, compliant program growth. This role travels regionally and champions person-first, stigma-free care.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred in business, marketing, public health, human services, or a related field required; equivalent professional experience may be considered.
• Minimum of three to five years of experience in business development, referral development, community relations, or outreach, preferable in behavioral health, substance use treatment, or healthcare.
• Demonstrated record of growing referrals, census, or market share with measurable results.
• Established relationships within Southeastern North Carolina's healthcare, behavioral health, criminal justice, and community service networks strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of the substance use treatment continuum, ASAM criteria, and the North Carolina Medicaid, Tailored Plan, and LME/MCO landscape.
• Knowledge of the Anti-Kickback Statute, EKRA, HIPAA, and 42 CFR Part 2, or ability to complete required training upon hire.
• Exceptional presentation, relationship-building, and communication skills, with the professionalism to engage executives, clinicians, and community members alike.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, and experience with CRM or referral tracking tools.
• Lived experience in recovery is valued and welcomed.
• Valid North Carolina driver's license, reliable transportation, and current auto insurance.
• Passion for the mission and values of The Healing Place of New Hanover County.

Responsibilities

• Identify, cultivate, and maintain referral partnerships with hospitals, EDs, crisis Centers, LME/MCOs, PCPs, opioid treatment programs, EMS, law enforcement, courts, detention centers, homeless services, faith communities, and employers.
• Develop and execute an annual referral development plan with territory mapping and defined visit cadence.
• Conduct regular in-person visits, presentations, and in-service education for referral partners on services and admission process.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for referral partners and resolve barriers promptly.
• Lead strategy to achieve and sustain average daily census in the detox program.
• Partner with admissions, monitor, and streamline the referral-to-admission process.
• Monitor census, referral volume, conversion rates, and reasons for non-admission; act on trends.
• Maintain a CRM system with complete partner records and outcomes.
• Produce monthly census dashboards and reports for leadership and quarterly board summaries.
• Track KPIs and identify service gaps, underserved populations and growth opportunities.
• Represent the organization on community coalitions and planning bodies; ensure accurate, non-stigmatizing outreach materials.

Skills

Relationship-building

Communication skills

Presentation skills

CRM experience

Data-driven

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

CRM software

Microsoft Excel

Job description

The Healing Place of New Hanover County in Wilmington, NC seeks a Community Engagement & Business Development Manager to grow referral partnerships and improve access to low-barrier withdrawal management and recovery services.

You will lead outreach to hospitals, behavioral health providers, courts, and community groups, track referrals and census, report metrics to leadership, and ensure ethical, compliant program growth. This role travels regionally and champions person-first, stigma-free care.