Clinical Director Outpatient SUD Program $120,000 - $175,000

About the role

Clinical Director — Outpatient Substance Abuse Program Clinical Director — Outpatient Substance Abuse Program Location: Brooklyn, NY | Employment Type: Full-Time | Salary: $120,000–$175,000 (commensurate with experience) About Us We are an outpatient substance use treatment program in Brooklyn, NY, focused on building a strong, sustainable clinical program for the long term. We're looking for a Clinical Director who wants to build something lasting — a well-run program with real room to grow, not just manage what already exists. This is a rare opportunity for a driven clinical leader to take ownership of a program's direction, build lasting infrastructure, and grow into a senior leadership role as the organization develops. Position Summary The Clinical Director will take full clinical and operational ownership of our outpatient program. This role is equal parts clinician, program builder, and operator: responsible for clinical infrastructure and program design, full regulatory compliance, leading and growing a multidisciplinary team, and driving steady, sustainable growth. This is a hands-on leadership role with a clear path for growth. The Clinical Director will be directly involved in shaping policies, procedures, and workflows, and — as the program develops — will grow into leading a larger clinical and administrative team, with the opportunity to help shape the organization's expansion over time. Key Responsibilities Program Building & Growth Design and build clinical program infrastructure, workflows, and treatment protocols Develop and execute a growth strategy in partnership with leadership, aimed at building a larger, more established program over time Design scalable systems (staffing models, documentation workflows, onboarding, intake processes) built to support growth without breaking down Identify and cultivate referral sources and community/provider partnerships to drive admissions Support long-term planning as the program grows, including future expansion of services or team structure Clinical Oversight & Compliance Conduct chart reviews and clinical audits to ensure documentation meets state regulatory and payer standards Ensure treatment planning, level-of-care determinations, and discharge planning. Maintain full compliance with applicable state substance use treatment regulations, Medicaid/insurance requirements, HIPAA, and 42 CFR Part 2 confidentiality regulations Serve as the program's primary compliance owner: maintain policies and procedures, ensure staff training on compliance requirements, and respond promptly to any compliance concerns Own preparation for and response to state audits, site visits, licensing/accreditation reviews, and corrective action plans Conduct utilization review to ensure services are medically necessary, properly authorized, and appropriately documented for payer reimbursement Medicaid payers on authorizations, concurrent reviews, and appeals as needed Design, implement, and oversee a formal quality assurance/quality improvement (QA/QI) program, including regular audits, outcome tracking, and corrective action follow-through Oversee incident reporting and ensure timely investigation and resolution of incidents and grievances Ensure appropriate coordination with Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) providers where applicable Maintain and oversee staff credentialing, licensure tracking, and payer credentialing requirements Leadership & Team Management Recruit, hire, train, and supervise clinical staff, including CASACs, LCSWs, and clinical interns Provide clinical supervision consistent with licensure/credentialing requirements Build a culture of accountability, clinical excellence, and client-centered care Design and scale the clinical team's structure and staffing model to match organizational growth Establish performance standards and conduct staff evaluations Client Care & Retention Provide direct clinical oversight of individual and group treatment services Monitor client engagement and outcomes; design and implement retention strategies Serve as an escalation point for complex clinical cases and crisis situations Ensure culturally competent, client-centered care across a diverse client population Operational Ownership Take full ownership of day-to-day program operations, including staffing, scheduling, and workflow management Manage program budget and resource needs in coordination with leadership and finance Own key performance indicators related to growth, retention, compliance, and outcomes, and report on them to leadership Ensure documentation and EHR systems are used consistently and correctly across the team Evaluate and help implement technology and systems (EHR, telehealth, scheduling) that support growth Support marketing and community outreach efforts in coordination with leadership Qualifications Required: CASAC (Advanced CASAC strongly preferred) or LCSW, licensed in New York State Minimum 3–5 years of clinical leadership or program management experience in a substance use treatment setting Strong working knowledge of applicable state outpatient substance use treatment regulations and ASAM level-of-care criteria Demonstrated ability to build or significantly grow a clinical program — not just maintain one Proven leadership experience: hiring, supervising, and developing clinical teams Strong understanding of clinical documentation, chart auditing, and regulatory compliance Working knowledge of HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2 confidentiality requirements Experience with utilization review, insurance/Medicaid authorization processes, and quality assurance/QI program development Excellent organizational and communication skills; comfortable operating with significant autonomy Ability to pass a background check and pre-employment screening as required by state licensing bodies and applicable law Preferred: Experience with EHR/documentation platforms Experience with accreditation processes Track record of scaling a healthcare or behavioral health program (multi-site experience a plus) Familiarity with state audit and certification processes for outpatient substance use programs Experience developing or revising clinical policies and procedures manuals Experience coordinating with MAT providers/prescribers Familiarity with telehealth service delivery in a substance use treatment setting Bilingual or multicultural competency relevant to the communities served What We're Looking For We are looking for a builder — someone energized by shaping a program's direction and growing it into a well-run, established organization over time. The ideal candidate: Thinks in terms of systems and sustainable growth, not just day-to-day client management Is comfortable operating with autonomy while planning ahead Takes full ownership of outcomes — clinical, operational, and financial — rather than waiting for direction Has the credibility and clinical judgment to represent the program to regulators, payers, and referral partners Sees this as a long-term leadership opportunity, not just a job Work Environment & Expectations Primarily on-site in Brooklyn, NY, with availability for occasional evening hours or on-call coverage for clinical emergencies as needed Some local travel may be required for meetings with referral partners, payers, or regulators Fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment; responsibilities and scope of the role are expected to grow alongside the organization