Senior Business Development & Community Relations Specialist

Kathyirelandrecoverycenters; Columbus (IN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Indiana Treatment Center, powered by Ascension Recovery Services, seeks a Senior Business Development & Community Relations Specialist to expand access to substance use disorder treatment across Indiana and surrounding communities.

This regional role develops referral partnerships, increases admissions, and represents our organization within the community, working with hospitals, providers, and stakeholders to extend access to care.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, Marketing, Communications, Behavioral Health, or related field.
• 3–5+ years in business development, healthcare outreach, or referral development.
• Experience in substance use disorder treatment or referral-driven healthcare preferred.
• Strong presentation, communication, networking, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage a geographic territory and outreach strategy.
• Proficiency with CRM systems and Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute regional business development strategies to increase referrals and admissions.
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of referral relationships in the assigned territory.
• Establish partnerships with hospitals, healthcare systems, and community partners.
• Conduct in-person outreach and relationship-building across the region.
• Identify opportunities to expand the organization’s presence in underserved markets.
• Maintain follow-up with partners and provide high-level service throughout the referral relationship.
• Support growth through measurable referral development and community engagement.

Skills

Relationship-building

Communication skills

Networking

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Admin./Healthcare Admin./Marketing/Communications/Behavioral Health

Tools

CRM systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Senior Business Development & Community Relations Specialist – Substance Use Disorder

Facility: Indiana Treatment Center, powered by Ascension Recovery Services
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Region
Employment Type: Full-Time
Schedule: Monday–Friday with flexibility based on community events and business needs
Travel: Significant regional travel required; candidates must reside within approximately two hours of Muncie, Indiana

Join Our Team

Indiana Treatment Center, powered by Ascension Recovery Services, is seeking an experienced Senior Business Development & Community Relations Specialist to help expand access to high-quality substance use disorder treatment throughout Indiana and surrounding communities.

This highly visible regional role is responsible for developing strong referral partnerships, increasing awareness of our services, supporting admissions growth, and serving as a trusted representative of Indiana Treatment Center within the community.

The ideal candidate is a relationship-builder who understands that sustainable business development in behavioral health is rooted in trust, credibility, responsiveness, and a genuine commitment to helping individuals access the right level of care.

About Us

Indiana Treatment Center provides compassionate, evidence-based treatment for individuals experiencing substance use disorders and related behavioral health needs.

Powered by Ascension Recovery Services, our programs are designed to provide safe, structured, patient-centered care that helps individuals build a foundation for long-term recovery.

Our Muncie treatment center will provide a supportive residential environment with individualized treatment, trauma-informed care, and 24/7 support from a multidisciplinary team.

We are building more than a treatment center—we are building strong partnerships with hospitals, healthcare providers, community organizations, families, and other stakeholders who share our commitment to expanding access to recovery services.

Why Join Us?

• Make a meaningful impact by helping individuals and families connect with life-changing treatment
• Represent a growing behavioral health organization within communities across the region
• Build and manage strategic referral partnerships
• Work closely with clinical, admissions, operations, and executive leadership
• Help shape business development strategy within an expanding market
• Join a collaborative and mission-driven organization focused on improving access to behavioral healthcare
• Competitive compensation, benefits, and performance-based incentives

What You’ll Do

Business Development & Referral Growth

• Develop and execute regional business development strategies designed to increase qualified referrals and admissions
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of referral relationships throughout the assigned territory
• Establish partnerships with hospitals, emergency departments, healthcare systems, behavioral health providers, physicians, therapists, community agencies, employers, criminal justice partners, and other referral sources
• Conduct regular in-person outreach and relationship-building activities throughout the region
• Identify new referral opportunities and develop strategies to expand the organization’s presence in underserved markets
• Maintain consistent follow-up with referral partners and provide a high level of service throughout the referral relationship
• Support organizational growth goals through measurable referral development and community engagement activities

Community Relations & Outreach

• Serve as a visible and trusted representative of Indiana Treatment Center within the community
• Develop relationships with community leaders, recovery organizations, healthcare providers, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders
• Attend conferences, networking events, coalition meetings, community programs, and professional events
• Conduct presentations and educational outreach regarding substance use disorders, treatment options, recovery resources, and available services
• Help reduce stigma surrounding addiction and behavioral health treatment through education and community engagement
• Identify opportunities for community partnerships, sponsorships, educational programs, and other outreach initiatives

Market Development & Strategy

• Monitor regional referral trends, market conditions, and competitor activity
• Identify opportunities for market expansion and increased community engagement
• Maintain awareness of local treatment resources and the broader behavioral health landscape
• Partner with leadership to develop targeted outreach strategies for priority markets
• Track outreach activity, referral patterns, conversion trends, and other business development metrics
• Provide regular updates regarding market activity, referral relationships, barriers, and growth opportunities

Internal Partnership

• Collaborate closely with Admissions, Clinical, Medical, Operations, and Executive Leadership
• Ensure referral partners receive timely, accurate information regarding available services and levels of care
• Communicate market feedback and referral-source needs to internal teams
• Help ensure external messaging accurately reflects the services and capabilities of the organization
• Partner with Admissions to support a seamless referral experience and strengthen long-term referral relationships

Who You Are

You are a natural relationship-builder who enjoys being out in the community and developing meaningful professional connections.

You understand that behavioral healthcare business development is not transactional. Strong referral relationships are built through credibility, responsiveness, follow-through, and a genuine commitment to helping people access appropriate care.

You are comfortable independently managing a territory, developing a strategic outreach plan, and holding yourself accountable for measurable results.

You are equally comfortable meeting with hospital leaders, treatment professionals, community organizations, recovery advocates, and families—and you know how to represent an organization professionally in every setting.

Most importantly, you believe in the importance of reducing stigma and expanding access to substance use disorder treatment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, Marketing, Communications, Behavioral Health, or a related field preferred
• 3–5+ years of experience in business development, healthcare outreach, community relations, referral development, or healthcare marketing preferred
• Previous experience in substance use disorder treatment, behavioral health, mental health, healthcare, or another referral-driven healthcare environment strongly preferred
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain professional referral relationships
• Strong presentation, communication, networking, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to independently manage a geographic territory and outreach strategy
• Strong organizational skills and consistent follow-through
• Comfortable working in a performance-driven environment with measurable growth expectations
• Proficiency with CRM systems, Microsoft Office, and related business development technology preferred
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation required
• Ability and willingness to travel extensively throughout the assigned region

Travel & Territory Expectations

This is a field-based regional position centered around Muncie, Indiana.

Candidates must live within approximately a two-hour driving radius of Indianapolis and should expect to spend a significant portion of their workweek traveling throughout the region to meet with referral partners, attend community events, and develop new relationships.

Occasional evening events and overnight travel may be required based on business needs.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Indiana Treatment Center, powered by Ascension Recovery Services, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.