Clinical director

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 align with ASAM criteria
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
Liaise with insurance/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