Behavioral Health Program Manager

As the Behavioral Health Program Manager, you will support the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of behavioral health services across assigned programs. You will partner with clinical, operational, and community stakeholders to enhance access to care, care coordination, transition planning, community-based services, and member outcomes. Serving as a behavioral health subject matter expert, you will provide guidance on complex member needs, behavioral health service delivery, provider network effectiveness, and integration of behavioral and physical health services. You will also help identify service gaps, address barriers to care, support quality improvement initiatives, and ensure compliance with program goals, contractual requirements, and performance objectives.

The Illinois Tailored Care Management Program helps individuals with complex health and social needs transition from nursing facilities and Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Facilities (SMHRFs) to community-based living. Through person-centered care management and coordinated support services, the program empowers members to live more independently and thrive in their communities.

What You'll Do:

• Collaborates and/or manages projects with team members and other health care professionals to develop, implement and complete quality improvement and special project or corrective action initiatives
• This may include technical writing and coordinating/developing materials to fund, promote and support the initiatives
• Serves as liaison with internal and external customers to ensure projects, plans and/or products are completed satisfactorily
• Oversees network of specialized support services that provide targeted expertise and essential services for effective transitions into community settings
• Serves as a representative of the Company at external client meetings
• Promotes company expertise and QI solutions to prospective clients
• Partners with team members and internal/external customers as necessary, to determine and evaluate methods to encourage participation in the quality improvement and/or special project initiatives
• Maintains positive relationships with internal and external clients to ensure continued participation
• Monitors project expenses to ensure alignment with budget
• Performs miscellaneous duties as assigned

Required Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in behavioral health, social work, psychology, counseling, nursing, healthcare administration, public health, or a related field
• Current Illinois clinical license (e.g., LCSW, LCPC, RN, Psychologist, or similar)
• 5+ years of experience in behavioral health, care management, social services, population health, or a related field
• Leadership experience managing behavioral health programs, clinical initiatives, teams, or cross-functional projects
• Ability to travel up to 50% locally and overnight

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Master’s degree in behavioral health, healthcare, or related discipline
• Certified Case Manager (CCM), Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ), or comparable healthcare quality/behavioral health certification
• Experience supporting individuals with serious mental illness (SMI), substance use disorders (SUD), or other complex behavioral health needs
• Experience with Medicaid, managed care, behavioral health programs, care management, or transitions of care
• Experience supporting transitions from institutional or higher-acuity settings to community-based services
• Experience with quality improvement, performance metrics, utilization management, or contractual performance requirements
• Knowledge of behavioral health regulatory requirements, clinical risk identification, and escalation processes
• Bilingual English/Spanish skills are a plus