Louisiana Behavioral Health Executive Director

merakeycareers; Lafayette (LA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Retirement plan

DailyPay

Well-being tools

Back-up care

EAP services

Tuition reimbursement

Learning platform

Job summary

Merakey is seeking an Executive Director of Adult Behavioral Health to provide statewide operational and strategic leadership for programs across Louisiana, leading managers and ensuring high-quality, recovery-oriented services.

Reporting to the Senior Vice President, you will manage overall operational and financial performance, drive process improvement, systems optimization, and sustainable solutions. Regular travel throughout Louisiana is required to oversee all programs statewide.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in behavioral health, healthcare, or human services.
• Experience leading multi-site or statewide operations.
• Experience managing executive-level staff and leadership teams.
• Operational leadership including process improvement and systems optimization.
• Experience leading program or system turnaround initiatives with measurable improvements.
• Experience with operational and financial performance management.
• Strong strategic planning, performance management, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to partner effectively with clinical, operational, and executive leadership.
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly throughout Louisiana.

Responsibilities

• Provide statewide operational and strategic leadership for Adult Behavioral Health programs across Louisiana.
• Lead managers and ensure high-quality, recovery-oriented services.
• Accountable for operational and financial performance and continuous improvement.
• Assess complex operational challenges, identify gaps, and implement sustainable solutions.
• Drive improvements in program performance, quality, and service delivery.
• Travel regularly throughout Louisiana to oversee programs statewide.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Performance management

Problem-solving

Partnership building

Change management

Education

Master’s degree in social services, business, health administration, or related field

Job description

Merakey is seeking an Executive Director of Adult Behavioral Health to provide statewide operational and strategic leadership for programs across Louisiana, leading managers and ensuring high-quality, recovery-oriented services.

Reporting to the Senior Vice President, you will manage overall operational and financial performance, drive process improvement, systems optimization, and sustainable solutions. Regular travel throughout Louisiana is required to oversee all programs statewide.