Director of PHP/IOP

Confidential; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 153,000 - 187,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

Paid time off

Retirement plan options

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

Confidential in the United States seeks a Director of PHP/IOP to provide strategic and operational leadership for Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient programs. You will collaborate with clinical leadership, operations, finance, and executive teams to build scalable programs that deliver exceptional patient care while meeting regulatory standards.

The role requires 7+ years in behavioral health with 3+ years in leadership of PHP/IOP or similar care levels.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive leadership experience in behavioral health/healthcare operations.
• 3+ years leading PHP/IOP or comparable programs.
• Strong knowledge of PHP/IOP models and regulatory requirements.
• Experience building scalable, high-performing clinical and administrative teams.
• Proven ability to monitor, improve performance metrics and patient outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for PHP and IOP programs.
• Develop and implement program strategies, workflows, and performance standards.
• Set goals for growth, outcomes, quality, and operational performance.
• Identify opportunities to expand PHP/IOP services based on patient needs and market demand.
• Build scalable operational infrastructure to support growth.
• Oversee day-to-day operations ensuring compliance with clinical and regulatory standards.
• Coordinate with psychiatrists, therapists, APPs, nursing, case management, and admin teams.
• Recruit, coach, and develop clinical and administrative staff.
• Establish KPIs and accountability across the program.
• Monitor staffing models, scheduling, and resource allocation.
• Foster a collaborative, patient-centered culture.
• Identify training opportunities to strengthen team performance.

Skills

Leadership

Behavioral health

Program management

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in healthcare administration or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

EHR systems

Job description

The current delivery model for mental health care is broken in this country. We set out on a mission to reimagine how mental health care is delivered to those who need it. Our goal is to provide a digital-first, modern approach to psychiatry and therapy.

We provide care both in person and virtually, making it easier for patients to access high-quality mental health services when and where they need them.

Through a combination of exceptional medical and psychological care and best-in-class technology, we provide an integrated approach designed around the needs of our patients. Join us in our mission to make high-quality, affordable, and accessible mental health care available to everyone.

About the Role

As the Director of PHP/IOP, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP).

You will be responsible for overseeing program operations, clinical and administrative workflows, regulatory compliance, staff performance, patient outcomes, and overall program growth. This role will work closely with clinical leadership, operations, finance, and executive leadership to build scalable programs that deliver exceptional patient care while meeting organizational and regulatory standards.

The ideal candidate is an experienced behavioral health leader who understands PHP/IOP operations, can build and lead high-performing teams, and is comfortable balancing clinical quality, operational efficiency, compliance, and business performance.

Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Strategy

• Provide overall strategic and operational leadership for PHP and IOP programs.
• Develop and implement program strategies, policies, workflows, and performance standards.
• Establish short- and long-term goals for program growth, patient outcomes, quality, and operational performance.
• Identify opportunities to expand and improve PHP/IOP services based on patient needs, market demand, and organizational priorities.
• Build scalable operational infrastructure to support program growth.

Clinical & Operational Oversight

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of PHP and IOP programs while ensuring compliance with clinical, regulatory, and organizational standards.
• Partner with clinical leadership to ensure programs maintain high standards of patient care.
• Monitor patient flow, admissions, discharges, attendance, engagement, and overall program utilization.
• Ensure appropriate coordination between psychiatrists, therapists, APPs, nursing, case management, and administrative teams.
• Identify operational barriers and implement solutions to improve efficiency and patient experience.
• Recruit, lead, coach, and develop clinical and administrative teams supporting PHP/IOP operations.
• Establish clear performance expectations, KPIs, and accountability across the program.
• Oversee staffing models, scheduling, resource allocation, and workforce planning.
• Build a collaborative, high-performing, patient-centered culture.
• Identify training and development opportunities to strengthen team performance.
• Address performance and operational issues promptly and effectively.

Quality, Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure PHP/IOP programs maintain compliance with applicable federal, state, payer, and organizational requirements.
• Maintain strong oversight of documentation, treatment plans, progress notes, assessments, and other required clinical records.
• Partner with compliance and clinical leadership to prepare for audits, surveys, and regulatory reviews.
• Identify potential compliance and patient-safety risks and implement corrective actions.
• Establish and monitor quality improvement initiatives designed to improve clinical outcomes and patient safety.

Performance & Financial Management

• Develop and monitor key performance indicators related to census, admissions, utilization, patient engagement, staffing, quality, and outcomes.
• Analyze program performance and provide regular reporting to executive leadership.
• Partner with finance and operations leadership to monitor budgets, staffing costs, revenue performance, and overall program efficiency.
• Identify opportunities to improve program utilization and operational performance while maintaining quality of care.
• Use data to identify trends, solve problems, and drive continuous improvement.

Patient Experience & Care Coordination

• Ensure patients and families receive a high-quality, compassionate, and coordinated experience.
• Monitor patient satisfaction and identify opportunities to improve engagement and retention.
• Strengthen coordination between PHP/IOP programs and outpatient, inpatient, community, and other behavioral health services.
• Develop processes that support smooth transitions of care and appropriate follow-up.

Cross-Functional & Executive Partnership

• Partner with executive leadership, medical leadership, operations, HR, finance, compliance, and other departments to achieve organizational goals.
• Provide leadership with regular updates regarding program performance, challenges, staffing, quality, and growth opportunities.
• Serve as a subject-matter expert and strategic advisor regarding PHP/IOP operations.
• Represent the organization professionally with external partners, providers, payers, and other stakeholders.

Requirements

• 7+ years of progressive experience in behavioral health, healthcare operations, or a related field.
• 3+ years of leadership experience overseeing behavioral health programs, preferably PHP, IOP, inpatient, or comparable levels of care.
• Strong understanding of PHP/IOP models, behavioral health workflows, clinical operations, and regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary clinical and administrative teams.
• Experience with program development, implementation, and operational scaling.
• Strong knowledge of behavioral health documentation, EHR systems, compliance, and quality management.
• Demonstrated ability to monitor and improve operational and clinical performance metrics.
• Experience with staffing, budgeting, workforce planning, and resource allocation.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with executives, clinicians, staff, patients, and external stakeholders.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, high-growth healthcare environment.
• Bachelor's degree in healthcare administration, behavioral health, business, or a related field required; Master's degree preferred.
• Relevant behavioral health, healthcare management, or clinical credentials are a plus.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role means building and leading PHP/IOP programs that are clinically excellent, operationally efficient, compliant, financially sustainable, and centered around the patient.

In your first year, you will be expected to:

• Establish strong operational and clinical standards across PHP/IOP programs.
• Build and develop high-performing multidisciplinary teams.
• Improve patient access, engagement, and program utilization.
• Establish clear performance metrics and reporting structures.
• Strengthen compliance and documentation processes.
• Improve patient outcomes and overall patient experience.
• Identify opportunities for program growth and expansion.
• Develop scalable systems that support continued organizational growth.

The expected base salary for this role is up to $170,000 USD annually, depending on experience, qualifications, location, and other relevant factors.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that may include:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan options
• Competitive compensation
• Professional growth and development opportunities

So What Do You Think?

If you've made it this far, we're excited to meet you.

We are a fast-growing organization with an ambitious mission, and we believe our people are essential to achieving it. You may be required to wear multiple hats, solve problems quickly, and take ownership beyond your immediate responsibilities.

This is an opportunity to build and lead programs that can make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and families dealing with mental health challenges.

Your scope of responsibility and opportunity to make an impact will grow with the organization. We are looking for a leader who is passionate about behavioral healthcare, committed to operational excellence, and motivated by the opportunity to improve access and outcomes for patients.