Senior Executive, Adult Behavioral Health Operations

Merakey; Lafayette (LA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision coverage

Retirement plan

DailyPay

Job summary

Merakey is seeking a Behavioral Health Executive Director based in Louisiana to provide statewide strategic and operational leadership for Adult Behavioral Health programs. You will supervise program leaders and ensure high-quality, recovery-oriented services across the state.

The role requires oversight of operational and financial performance, including productivity, budgets, and service outcomes, with a hands-on approach to drive reform and sustainable improvements.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience with increasing responsibility.
• Experience leading multi-site or statewide operations and managing executive-level staff.
• Proven success turning around underperforming programs and improving operational performance.

Responsibilities

• Provide statewide strategic and operational leadership for Adult Behavioral Health programs across Louisiana.
• Oversee program leaders and ensure high-quality, recovery-oriented services.
• Accountable for operational and financial performance including productivity and budgets.
• Lead organizational change and develop executive-level teams with measurable results.

Education

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

Tools

Executive leadership experience

Job description

• Master’s degree in social services, behavioral health, business, health administration, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience with increasing responsibility and scope, preferably in provider-side behavioral health operations.
• Experience leading multi-site or statewide operations and managing executive-level staff and leadership teams.
• Proven success turning around underperforming programs, improving operational performance, and implementing sustainable process and systems improvements.
• Demonstrated accountability for operational and financial results, including productivity, budgets, and service delivery outcomes.
• Strong strategic planning, performance management, decision‑making, and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to translate strategy into measurable results.
• Ability to partner effectively with clinical, operational, and executive leadership.
• Ability and willingness to be based in Louisiana and travel regularly throughout the state.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social services, behavioral health, business, health administration, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience with increasing responsibility and scope, preferably in provider-side behavioral health operations.
• Experience leading multi-site or statewide operations and managing executive-level staff and leadership teams.
• Proven success turning around underperforming programs, improving operational performance, and implementing sustainable process and systems improvements.
• Demonstrated accountability for operational and financial results, including productivity, budgets, and service delivery outcomes.
• Strong strategic planning, performance management, decision‑making, and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to translate strategy into measurable results.
• Ability to partner effectively with clinical, operational, and executive leadership.
• Ability and willingness to be based in Louisiana and travel regularly throughout the state.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with Louisiana’s behavioral health system and service delivery environment.
• Experience leading organizational change and improving program productivity and financial sustainability.

The Behavioral Health Executive Director will provide statewide strategic and operational leadership for Adult Behavioral Health programs across Louisiana, overseeing program leaders and ensuring high-quality, recovery-oriented services.

Reporting to the Senior Vice President, the Executive Director will be accountable for operational and financial performance, including productivity, budgets, quality outcomes, and service delivery. This hands‑on leadership role requires the ability to assess complex operational challenges, improve processes and systems, address underperformance, and implement sustainable solutions that deliver measurable results.

The ideal candidate will bring progressive leadership experience within behavioral health, with increasing levels of responsibility and operational scope. Provider‑side behavioral health experience, particularly in complex, multi‑site or statewide operations, is strongly preferred.

The successful candidate will have a proven ability to lead and develop executive‑level teams, establish clear performance expectations, and hold leaders accountable for results. Experience leading program turnarounds, improving underperforming operations, driver organizational change, and strengthening operational and financial performance is highly valued.

Familiarity with Louisiana’s behavioral health system and service delivery environment is preferred.

This position is based in Louisiana and requires regular statewide travel. The Executive Director must maintain a visible leadership presence, build strong relationships with regional and program leaders, and work directly with teams to drive consistent performance across locations.

Benefits

Merakey offers generous benefits that promote well‑being, financial security, and work‑life balance, including:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus access to healthcare advocacy support.
• Retirement plan -- both pre‑tax and Roth (after‑tax) options available for employee contributions.
• DailyPay -- access your pay when you need it!
• On the Goga well‑being platform, featuring self‑care tools and resources.
• Access Care.com for backup childcare, elder care, and household services.
• Confidential counseling, legal, and financial services through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Tuition reimbursement and educational partnerships.
• Employee discounts and savings programs on entertainment, travel, and lifestyle.
• Access to Pryor Online Learning for free online personal development classes.

Learn more about our full benefits package - https://www.merakey.org/careers/benefits

About Merakey

Merakey is a non‑profit provider of developmental, behavioral health, and education services. More than 8,000 employees provide support to nearly 40,000 individuals and families throughout 12 states across the country each year. Click here to watch a video about Merakey.

Merakey strictly follows a zero‑tolerance policy for abuse.

Merakey is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer!

We deeply value diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, ethnic background, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or disability status. Moreover, we are committed to creating teams that reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and encourage applicants from underrepresented backgrounds to apply. Merakey welcomes all Veterans to apply!