Executive Director

Guidelight; Centennial (CO); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

A mental health organization is seeking an Executive Director to lead operational excellence and foster a collaborative environment. This role requires a master's degree, Colorado State licensure, and substantial experience in clinical settings and team management. Responsibilities include ensuring high-quality care, compliance with regulatory standards, and overseeing financial operations. The position is full-time and requires working onsite at the Denver Tech Center in Centennial, Colorado. A commitment to cultural inclusivity and diversity is essential.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of higher level of care clinical experience required.
• Minimum 2 years of management experience needed.
• Experience working with adolescents and adults in a mental health setting.

Responsibilities

• Lead with vision and drive operational excellence.
• Ensure compliance with regulations and effective financial management.
• Engage with clients, families, staff, and regulatory bodies.

Skills

Visionary leadership

Strategic planning

Team management

Understanding of DBT, CBT, ACT, MI

Business development

Network strategies

Education

Master’s degree in counseling, Social Work or related program

Active Colorado State licensure in social work, counseling, or marriage and family therapy

Tools

Microsoft Office applications

Job description

Title: Executive Director
Reports to: Director of Clinical Operations
Department/Location: Onsite at 7400 E. Caley Avenue, Suite 200C, Centennial, CO 80111
FLSA Status: Exempt
Position: Onsite Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm at the Denver Tech Center, Centennial Guidelight Facility. Must work onsite 100% of the time.

Role Summary

The Executive Director will lead with vision, drive operational excellence, and foster a collaborative environment. The role involves ensuring high‑quality care, compliance with regulations, and effective financial management. The Executive Director safeguards a welcoming, inclusive setting for PHP/IOP programs, engages with clients, families, staff, and regulatory bodies, and supports staff development. This full‑time (40 hours a week), exempt position oversees P&L, evaluates staff performance, delivers clinical training, and participates in conferences to stay current with state and federal regulations.

Role Responsibilities

• Build and maintain an organization capable of implementing program plans.
• Maintain clinic expenditures within the approved budget.
• Ensure clinic compliance with all pertinent laws, regulations, and contracts.
• Administer and implement the policies and procedures of the clinic, including administration, people, treatment services, and records.
• Ensure staff complies with all ethical standards of Guidelight Health as required by State Department of Health, CARF or other regulatory or licensing agencies.
• Review and update the policy and procedural manual, with assistance of the Clinical Director and leadership team as required.
• Provide regular evaluation of the clinic’s treatment program.
• Coordinate with oversight agencies to ensure quality of care.
• Coordinate and cooperate with the staff of other agencies and organizations to provide the best treatment for each client.
• Ensure the safety of staff and clients by safeguarding appropriate safety protocols and training.
• Ensure appropriate orientation and training of new teammates.
• Conduct teammate evaluations as appropriate.
• Conduct regular administrative staff meetings.
• Participate in CARF external and internal audits.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in counseling, Social Work or related program from an accredited college or university.
• Active and current independent Colorado State licensure in social work (LCSW) or counseling (LPC) or marriage and family therapy (LMFT).
• 5-7 years of higher level of care clinical experience.
• Minimum 2 years of management experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and ability to learn department‑specific software systems.
• Proven track record in visionary leadership, strategic planning, and adept team management.
• Leadership experience in a mental health setting working with adolescents and adults.
• Understanding of a variety of modalities including DBT, CBT, ACT, MI.
• Appreciation for group therapy.
• Collaborative and team‑oriented mindset.
• Experience in business development, networking, and outreach strategies in the local market.
• Collaboration with the leadership team to manage financial operations.
• Flexibility and adaptability to meet the diverse needs of clients in a fast‑paced environment.
• Demonstrated understanding and appreciation of cultural inclusivity and diversity.
• Bring visionary leadership, operational expertise, and talent for fostering collaboration to redefine the standards of PHP/IOP treatment.

Language Skills

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules or policy & procedure manuals.
• Ability to author routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively before clients or employees of the organization.

Mathematical Skills

• Ability to calculate figures and amounts including addition, subtraction, division, multiplication, and percentages.

Reasoning Ability

• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3 years post independent license is preferred.
• IOP/PHP, inpatient, residential emergency room experience preferred.

Legal & Equal Opportunity Statement

Guidelight is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are passionate about fostering an environment where everyone, irrespective of their race, gender, sexual orientation, or background, feels valued and included. We want a place where every employee has a voice and feels truly welcome, appreciated, free to be themselves, and empowered and enabled to do their best work. Our differences make us unique, and we actively support these differences and work to create communities of respect throughout our company.

Pay Range: $100,000 USD - $140,000 USD