Director, Intensive Outpatient Program – Thompson Center

University of Missouri - Columbia; Columbia Township (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

The Thompson Center at University of Missouri - Columbia seeks a Director of the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for pediatric and family behavioral health services.

You will lead program development, ensure clinical excellence, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to expand access while maintaining evidence-based, high-quality care in a patient-centered environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related area and at least 4 years of leadership or supervisory experience.
• Independent clinical licensure: BCBA.
• Experience developing, managing, or supervising intensive outpatient or behavioral health programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead and direct operations of the Intensive Outpatient Program, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, regulatory requirements, and best practices
• Oversee the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of IOP services, workflows, and clinical programming
• Provide clinical leadership and consultation to multidisciplinary team members, promoting evidence-based care and positive patient outcomes
• Collaborate with providers, therapists, behavioral health professionals, and administrative teams to ensure coordinated, efficient service delivery
• Monitor program performance, patient outcomes, access metrics, and quality indicators to identify opportunities for improvement and growth
• Contribute to short- and long-term strategic planning efforts to expand access to services and enhance program effectiveness
• Ensure compliance with accreditation standards, licensing requirements, organizational policies, and applicable regulations
• Allocate resources effectively and establish operational priorities to meet clinical and business objectives
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, supervision, training, and professional development of program staff
• Demonstrate fiscal responsibility through productivity oversight, and efficient resource utilization while maintaining high-quality care
• Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve operational and clinical challenges using strong leadership, judgment, and problem-solving skills
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement across the program
• Communicate clearly and professionally with patients, families, staff, and stakeholders, managing sensitive situations with discretion and empathy
• Support community outreach, referral relationships, and partnerships that enhance program visibility and access to care

Skills

Leadership

Clinical leadership

Program management

Strategic planning

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Hiring Department

The Thompson Center

Job Description

The Thompson Center is a state-of-the-art facility dedicated toadvancing care, research, and education for individuals with autismspectrum disorder and related conditions. Designed to supportinterdisciplinary collaboration and innovative service delivery,the Center provides a modern, patient-centered environment equippedwith cutting-edge clinical spaces, technology, and resources. Thissetting empowers our teams to deliver high-quality, evidence-basedcare while fostering professional growth and collaboration.

The Director of the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) providesstrategic leadership and operational oversight for the ThompsonCenter's Intensive Outpatient Program. This role is responsible forensuring clinical excellence, optimizing program operations,advancing quality improvement initiatives, and supporting thedelivery of high-quality, patient-centered behavioral healthservices for children, adolescents, and families.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and direct the overall operations of the IntensiveOutpatient Program, ensuring alignment with organizational goals,regulatory requirements, and best practices
• Oversee the development, implementation, and continuousimprovement of IOP services, workflows, and clinicalprogramming
• Provide clinical leadership and consultation tomultidisciplinary team members, promoting evidence-based care andpositive patient outcomes
• Collaborate with providers, therapists, behavioral healthprofessionals, and administrative teams to ensure coordinated,efficient service delivery
• Monitor program performance, patient outcomes, access metrics,and quality indicators to identify opportunities for improvementand growth
• Contribute to short- and long-term strategic planning effortsto expand access to services and enhance program effectiveness
• Ensure compliance with accreditation standards, licensingrequirements, organizational policies, and applicableregulations
• Allocate resources effectively and establish operationalpriorities to meet clinical and business objectives
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, supervision, training, andprofessional development of program staff
• Demonstrate fiscal responsibility through productivityoversight, and efficient resource utilization while maintaininghigh-quality care
• Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve operational and clinicalchallenges using strong leadership, judgment, and problem-solvingskills
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, andcontinuous improvement across the program
• Communicate clearly and professionally with patients, families,staff, and stakeholders, managing sensitive situations withdiscretion and empathy
• Support community outreach, referral relationships, andpartnerships that enhance program visibility and access tocare

Why This Role Matters:

This position plays a critical role in expanding access tointensive behavioral health services for children and families.Through strategic leadership, clinical oversight, and operationalexcellence, the Director of the Intensive Outpatient Program helpsensure that patients receive high-quality, evidence-based care thatpromotes meaningful outcomes and supports long-term success.

Shift

Monday – Friday
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in related/relevant area or an equivalentcombination of education and experience and at least 4 years ofexperience from which comparable knowledge and skills can beacquired is necessary

Preferred Qualifications

• Independent clinical licensure required: Board CertifiedBehavior Analyst (BCBA)
• Minimum of two (2) years of leadership or supervisoryexperience
• Experience developing, managing, or supervising intensiveoutpatient or behavioral health programs preferred

Anticipated Hiring Range

Salary Range: $90,000 - $105,000 annually
Grade: GGS - 011
University Title: MGR CLINICAL SERVICES
Internal applicants can determine their university title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

Sponsorship Information

Employment visa sponsorship is not available for thisposition.

Community Information

Columbia offers small-town friendliness with big city features anda high quality of life for people of all ages and interests.Founded on education and known as an ideal college town, itslocation also makes it an attractive spot for businesses andtravelers. Located on Interstate 70 and U.S. Highway 63, Columbiais right in the middle of the state and the nation. Just a couplehours’ drive from St. Louis and Kansas City, Columbia is BooneCounty’s largest population center offering big-city culture,activities, and resources with a low cost of living. Columbia ishome to a variety of restaurants and entertainment venues and hostsmore than a dozen festivals each year. If you want to grow yourcareer, continue your education, raise a family, and retire,Columbia is a good place to be!

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of yourtotal compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefitspackage, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement,paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parentalleave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for allfour UM System campuses. For additional information on Universitybenefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director ofAccessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.

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