Behavioral Health Executive Director – Illinois

Optum is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by diversity and inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health equity on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

The Behavioral Health Executive Director ensures that planning functions, business processes, performance standards, and contractual reporting requirements align with state contracts. 

If you reside in the state of Illinois, you will have the flexibility to work remotely* as you take on some tough challenges. 

Primary Responsibilities: 

• Lead and direct daily operations across multiple levels of staff and departments to achieve goals and ensure contract compliance in all functional areas supporting behavioral health in the market 
• Identify and analyze local market trends and service gaps, leading the development of mitigation strategies aligned with strategic priorities 
• Promote, identify, and develop opportunities to implement preventative behavioral health strategies that support diversion from more restrictive levels of care 
• Provide subject matter expertise in areas including product development, clinical design, program specifications, and staffing projections 
• Navigate and influence multiple cross-functional teams in a complex, matrix work environment, including influencing senior leadership to adopt new ideas, products, and approaches 
• Nurture relationships and facilitate regular communication with stakeholders to gather feedback to improve service delivery     
• Provide thought leadership and consultative partnership on behavioral health to UHC C&S Health Plan leadership  

You’ll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in counseling, Psychology, Social Work, or related field  
• Current unrestricted Illinois clinical license 
• 5+ years of combined clinical experience in mental health and substance use disorder services 
• 5+ years of experience working with the Medicaid population  
• Experience in project management, leadership, and quality improvement 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel) 
• Thorough understanding of managed care principles, models, and financing 
• Residence in Illinois 
• Ability to travel 25% within IL
• Driver’s License and access to a reliable transportation
  

Preferred Qualification:

• Based in the Chicago, IL area

*All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group’s Telecommuter Policy 

The salary range for this role is $106,800 to $194,200 annually based on full-time employment. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. UnitedHealth Group complies with all minimum wage laws as applicable. In addition to your salary, UnitedHealth Group offers benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with UnitedHealth Group, you’ll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives.

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone–of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income–deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes — an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

UnitedHealth Group is a drug – free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.