Executive Director -Behavioral Health & Detox

The Executive Director of Behavioral Health & Detox Services is a key system-level leadership role responsible for the strategic direction, operational oversight, and programmatic integration of behavioral health and substance use services across Hudson Regional Health System (HRHS) and affiliated outpatient programs. This leader will unify and optimize the system’s behavioral health and detox continuum—spanning ED presentations, inpatient psychiatric and detoxification beds, outpatient clinics, grant-funded initiatives, and community partnerships.

Core Responsibilities:

* Develop and implement a unified behavioral health and addiction care strategy across all HRHS sites and programs.

* Standardize clinical protocols, care models, and referral pathways across inpatient, outpatient, ED, and community services.

* Establish a system-wide Behavioral Health Council to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation, and alignment.

* Direct and support inpatient psychiatric units (adult, geriatric, pediatric), detox programs, and outpatient centers across the hospitals and outpatient practices.

* Ensure regulatory compliance, quality outcomes, licensure standards, and regulatory readiness across all behavioral health services.

* Collaborate with hospital operations, nursing, and medical leadership to improve throughput, safety, and patient satisfaction.

* Identify and implement opportunities to grow patient volume across all levels of care, especially ED conversions, community-based referrals, and step-down/outpatient transitions.

* Lead the activation and implementation of licensed but currently inactive beds (e.g., Bayonne involuntary unit by May 2026).

* Expand referral networks by engaging with substance use providers, EDs, DCP &P, school systems, community courts, and other feeder programs.

* Streamline intake and triage processes to reduce ED boarding times and increase direct admissions.

* Ensure appropriate clinical staffing, bilingual capabilities, and culturally competent care throughout the system.

* Oversee and enhance access to grant-funded and specialty outpatient programs (e.g., Project Second Chance, Hudson Speaks, Giant Steps, etc.)

* Optimize grant funded programs and QIP funding.

*Develop and manage budgets for all behavioral health programs, including inpatient and grant-funded initiatives.

* Maximize utilization of existing resources and seek new funding opportunities through state/federal grants and partnerships.

* Work with payer relations and finance teams to optimize reimbursement for detox and behavioral health services, including out-of-state insurance contracts.