Executive Director, Behavioral Health

Job Description Summary

The Executive Director of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at South Shore Health is a newly created leadership position, reflecting the organization’s commitment to advancing psychiatric and behavioral health care as a core component of its mission. Reporting directly to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and working in close collaboration with the Chair of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health through a dotted line reporting structure, this role provides strategic, operational, and administrative oversight for the newly formed Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Department. The Executive Director will also partner closely with the Physician Director of Addiction Medicine, nursing leadership, and operational leaders to ensure seamless integration and alignment of behavioral health services across the system.

Job Description

South Shore Health is an independent, not-for-profit, regional health system, based in Weymouth,
Massachusetts, offering high-value, high-quality primary, secondary and tertiary care as well as specialty
care, home health, community care, emergency, urgent care and preventative and wellness services.
At South Shore Health, we are committed to working toward the common goal of providing the highest quality,
exceptional, patient-centered care to all of our patients. We unite top-caliber talent, technology
and service with the personal needs of patients and their families to develop individualized treatment
plans.
South Shore Health is committed to providing all patients with equitable access to quality care
regardless of race, ethnicity, preferred language, disability, gender identity and sexual orientation.

Our health system includes the following entities:
South Shore Hospital is our region’s leading provider of emergency, acute and outpatient care. It is the
first and only verified and designated Level II Trauma Center south of Boston, including the Cape and
Islands. It is also one of only three hospitals in Massachusetts with a Level II license. It is also the only
community hospital with a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Massachusetts, staffed 24/7
on-site by neonatologists from Boston Children’s Hospital. We offer Level II maternity services with
interventional radiology and onsite Maternal Fetal Medicine services to manage high-risk, complex
obstetric conditions. South Shore Health supports residents within its service areas with their
cardiovascular care --emergent, inpatient, cardiac testing, and ambulatory care. Our state-of-the-art
critical care unit offers 24-hour access to life-saving heart treatment and the region’s busiest,
modernized cardiac catheterization lab (cath lab). The team performs 650 minimally invasive
percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) annually with about 200 emergency interventions annually
(Code AMI’s). In total, they perform more than 3500 total procedures annually making South Shore
Hospital the 3rd busiest cath lab in the state as well as recipients of AMA’s “Gold Rating” for highest
quality.
South Shore Hospital is consistently recognized for quality of care including being named one of the top
10 hospitals in Massachusetts by U.S. News and World Report and one of only two community hospitals
in the top ten. The hospital has also been recognized as part of the American Nurse Credentialing
Center’s Magnet Recognition Program for the fourth consecutive time for its continuous demonstration
of excellence in nursing services – a distinction only eight percent of U.S. hospitals achieve. South Shore
Health is one of only 14 organizations in the state to earn this honor, and one of only 128 organizations
worldwide to be designated for the fourth straight time. South Shore Health also launched one of the
state’s first Hospital at Home programs providing hospital-level care to qualified patients who are well
enough to be treated at home.
South Shore Medical Center (SSMC) has eight locations offering comprehensive primary and specialty
care, including internal and family medicine, pediatrics, general surgery, dermatology, gastroenterology,
cardiology, wound care, women’s health/OBGYN, along with on-site laboratory, physical therapy and
radiology services. With more than 100 board-certified primary care practitioners in internal medicine,
family medicine and pediatrics on staff, SSMC provides care for more than 57,000 patients on the South
Shore.
? South Shore Urology offers high quality urological, advance urological cancer, and
urogynecology services.
? South Shore Cardiology, part of South Shore Health provides access to a full array of
cardiac expertise and resources.
? The Women’s Center of South Shore Medical Center combines clinical excellence with
state-of-the-art diagnostics to provide individualized care for women at every stage of
their lives.
South Shore Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) is one of the state’s largest providers of Medicare certified
home health care and consistently receives the highest patient satisfaction scores from the
Centers of Medicare & Medicaid Services. In addition, South Shore VNA has been named a “Top Agency
of the HomeCare Elite®” for many years running, a recognition that ranks the organization among the
top percentage of 10,000 home care agencies.
Health Express, part of South Shore Health has six urgent care locations from Braintree to Plymouth
staffed by emergency room-trained practitioners equipped to treat a wide range of injuries and minor
illnesses across the South Shore. X-ray and lab services are provided on site.
South Shore Hospital’s Center for Orthopedics, Spine and Sports Medicine offers convenient access to
an extensive team of surgical, pain management, orthopedic, podiatric, diagnostic imaging, and
rehabilitation experts who specialize in treating a broad range of musculoskeletal conditions. South
Shore Orthopedics’ surgeons, along with nurses, physical and occupational therapists, and home care
providers work collaboratively in the diagnosis, management and treatment of disorders of the
musculoskeletal system, including skeleton, joints, muscles, ligaments, cartilage and other connective
and supporting elements that support mobility and range of motion.
South Shore Emergency Medical Services has more than 100 EMS professionals who follow a model of
integrated care that ensures patients get appropriate medical services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It
serves as the Town of Weymouth’s EMS provider.
South Shore Health Foundation is the philanthropic arm of South Shore Health. Through the generosity
and goodwill of our community, donations support technological advances, facilities improvements,
caring for the underserved and expanding vital programs.
The health system is also one of the only regional health systems that offers clinical affiliations with
Boston-based academic medical centers offering world-leading medical care to the community as well
as community-based partnerships. Our Partners include:
? Boston Children’s Hospital: Neonatal intensive care, pediatric emergency, inpatient pediatric
services and outpatient pediatric clinics are provided in association with practitioners from this
world-leading children’s hospital.
? Mass General Brigham: We partner with Brigham and Women’s Hospital to provide advanced
surgical specialties including general surgery, neurosurgery, breast surgery, acute care/trauma
surgery, thoracic surgery, colorectal surgery, vascular surgery and bariatric surgery. South Shore
Health’s Breast Care Center, Reproductive Endocrinology, and Surgical Residency Program are all
provided in association with practitioners from Brigham and Women’s Hospital. The
Department of Neurology at Brigham and Women's Hospital provides general and specialized
neurology clinical services at South Shore Hospital, including outpatient evaluation and
management, second opinions for complex cases, diagnostic testing, and comprehensive
neurological care for diseases of the brain, spine and peripheral nerves, including movement
disorders, cerebrovascular disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, dementia, Alzheimer’s
disease, post-concussion syndrome and sleep disorders. Brigham and Women’s Neurosurgery
at South Shore Health program cares for patients with a variety of neurological disorders
including brain and spine tumors, trauma, degenerative spine disorders and hydrocephalus.
? Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center at South Shore Health: Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer
Center at South Shore Health provides residents south of Boston with the highest level of
advanced cancer care and support in the region. Experts from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute,
Brigham and Women’s Hospital and South Shore Hospital collaborate to offer many advanced
treatments locally, including radiation therapy, medical oncology, surgical oncology, clinical
trials, advanced diagnostic imaging, a Multidisciplinary Clinic and Breast Care Center.
? Aspire Health Alliance: Through collaborative planning, development and implementation,
South Shore Health and Aspire Health Alliance are working together to provide integrated and
innovative behavioral health programs for the community.
South Shore Health’s Mission, Vision and Values:
? Our Vision: Your Health. Our Passion. One Community
? Our Mission: We will be the first place our community turns to for health and wellness.
? Our Values: We put the patient first. We act with courage and compassion. We are ONE team.
We never stop learning, never stop improving. We know our employees are the best thing about
our organization. We love the community we serve. We love our work.
This is an amazing opportunity for a senior healthcare executive to serve as a member of a senior
leadership team that is high performing and quality focused within a system that has a reputation for
exceptional care throughout the communities we serve.
Visit http://www.southshorehealth.org for more information about the organization.
Position Summary
The Executive Director of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at South Shore Health is a newly created
leadership position, reflecting the organization’s commitment to advancing psychiatric and behavioral
health care as a core component of its mission. Reporting directly to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO)
and working in close collaboration with the Chair of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health through a dotted line
reporting structure, this role provides strategic, operational, and administrative oversight for the
newly formed Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Department. The Executive Director will also partner
closely with the Physician Director of Addiction Medicine, nursing leadership, and operational leaders to
ensure seamless integration and alignment of behavioral health services across the system.
South Shore Health delivers a comprehensive range of services across psychiatry, addiction medicine,
and perinatal behavioral health. Key service volumes include:
? Psychiatry Services:
o 2,000 inpatient psychiatric placements
o 4,200 emergency service evaluations
o 6,000 psychiatric consults across emergency and inpatient settings
? Addiction Medicine Services:
o 1,000 addiction consults in ED or inpatient settings
o 4,000 Screening and Brief Interventions and Referrals to Treatment
o 1,000 behavioral health therapy treatments
o 6,000 appointments of all types with a 7% compounding annual growth rate
? Perinatal Behavioral Health Services:
o 4,200 outpatient consults/visits by providers
o 800 behavioral health therapy treatments
o 300 SHORE (substance use combined with perinatal care) consults and visits
o 5,300 appointments of all types
As a key leader in this newly established department, the Executive Director will be responsible for
developing and implementing strategic plans that enhance access to high-quality psychiatric and
behavioral health services. This includes overseeing operations for critical initiatives such as the Grayken
Center for Treatment, Aspire clinical affiliation programs, and emergency psychiatric services. The role
encompasses managing contracts, provider staffing, financial performance, facilities planning, and
resource allocation to support departmental goals.
Aligned with South Shore Health’s mission, vision, and values, the Executive Director will lead efforts to
expand psychiatric and behavioral health services through innovative care models and community
partnerships. The role requires close collaboration with clinical teams to optimize workflows for
emergency psychiatric evaluations, discharge planning, and care transitions. Additionally, leveraging
data analytics to monitor outcomes and drive continuous improvement will be a critical component of
this position.
The Executive Director will play a pivotal role in building a multidisciplinary team committed to
excellence in psychiatric and behavioral health care. This includes recruiting and mentoring clinicians
and staff while fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and professional growth. The position
requires a dynamic leader with expertise in psychiatric and behavioral health management, financial
stewardship, quality improvement, team development, and strategic planning.
This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced healthcare executive to shape the future of
psychiatric and behavioral health at South Shore Health by leading this newly formed department
dedicated to addressing the evolving needs of the community.
Key Responsibilities and Functions
General Responsibilities
? Under the direction of the CMO and in close partnership with the Chair of Psychiatry and
Behavioral Health, the Physician Director of Addictions Medicine, operational managers, and
Directors of Patient Access, Nursing, and administrative leadership, the Executive Director will
support the development and implementation of the overall Psychiatric and Behavioral Health
mission, vision, and goals. This includes participating in the development and execution of
strategic and capital plans and ensuring the implementation of strategic business plans aligned
with South Shore Health's organizational objectives.
? The Executive Director will define, evaluate, and recommend new business ventures, affiliations,
and partnerships to advance the growth and service objectives of the department and South
Shore Health. This involves working with departmental and hospital leadership as well as the
Office of General Counsel to prepare necessary business plans and documentation. The
Executive Director will also be responsible for renewing such arrangements.
? In collaboration with the Chair of Psychiatry and Behavioral, the Executive Director will develop
and implement hospital- and department-level policies and procedures. This includes assessing
clinical, human resource, and financial factors required to meet patient needs effectively.
? The Executive Director will maintain effective communication with clinicians and staff to ensure
alignment and collaboration across all aspects of Psychiatric and Behavioral Health services.
? Utilizing heuristic methods, including principles from High Reliability Organizations (HRO), the
Executive Director will work to enhance the efficiency, safety, and efficacy of systems and
processes across the department.
? As a critical member of the department’s administrative leadership team, the Executive Director
will support Psychiatric and Behavioral Health Services meetings, including weekly operational
committees, case presentations, and quarterly executive/strategic committee meetings with
Aspire leadership, senior South Shore Health executives, and other relevant forums as required.
Clinical Program Management
? In partnership with the Chair of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, the Executive Director will
oversee service call schedules to ensure 24/7 service coverage for Psychiatry and Behavioral
Health. This includes managing all contractual relationships and invoicing for call coverage
services and providers for South Shore Hospital.
? The Executive Director will maintain a comprehensive understanding of the evolving healthcare
landscape, monitoring and evaluating the adequacy of existing Psychiatric and Behavioral Health
services. They will ensure the development of new programs and services to meet market
demands, focusing on improving clinical outcomes, reducing costs, and enhancing network
development.
? The Executive Director will resolve administrative challenges as they arise and lead the planning
and implementation of improvements for both existing and new clinical services.
? The Executive Director will manage the Aspire clinical affiliation agreement, including oversight
of its associated budget, as well as any other Psychiatric and Behavioral Health-related contracts
that may arise.
? External contract management for staffing, equipment, and supplies will fall under the Executive
Director’s purview. They will recommend and create business plans for capital equipment
purchases to support programmatic needs.
? Under the direction of South Shore Health’s Quality Program leadership, the Executive Director
will serve as the lead administrative resource for Psychiatric and Behavioral Health’s clinical
quality and safety programs. They will foster a culture aligned with South Shore Health’s
Collaborative High Reliability Organization (HRO) principles.
? The Executive Director will ensure compliance with all relevant regulatory requirements,
including those set by The Joint Commission (TJC), Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA), Department of Public Health (DPH), Department of Mental Health
(DMH), and other state and federal regulations. They will lead the department’s participation in
compliance audits in collaboration with South Shore Health’s Risk Department.
? The Executive Director will participate in negotiating contracts for clinical services provided by
division providers. They will assess these agreements on an ongoing basis to ensure financial
viability and compliance with current regulatory standards.
? The Executive Director will lead initiatives to support programmatic growth, operational
efficiency, and quality/safety improvements across Psychiatric and Behavioral Health services.
This includes utilizing dashboards and data analytics to identify opportunities, oversee project
plans, and monitor programmatic interventions.
? The Executive Director will provide administrative support for clinical research within the
department, leveraging the robust Behavioral Health Registry built within Epic. They will oversee
processes related to research development, submission, review, notification, and administrative
planning for potential new research funding sources in collaboration with South Shore Health’s
Institutional Review Board (IRB) leadership.
Financial Management
? Establishes and achieves financial goals and monitors the ongoing financial performance of the
department to ensure alignment with departmental and organizational objectives.
? Understands and meets all financial reporting requirements for the department, ensuring
compliance with the prescribed formats and timelines set forth by the CMO, Chair of Psychiatry
and Behavioral Health, Physician Director of Addictions Medicine, and the South Shore Health
Finance Team.
? Prepares and executes the annual budget for the department in collaboration with the SSH
Finance Team. Presents and justifies budget requests to the CMO, Chair of Psychiatry and
Behavioral Health, and other relevant stakeholders.
? Develops and oversees compensation plans for providers within the department under the
guidance of the Chair of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health. Recommends salary levels for
employed providers, communicates compensation plans to team members as directed, and
monitors productivity to recommend financial adjustments as needed.
? Oversees fiduciary management of funds for the department. Examines, analyzes, and interprets
financial data to ensure fiscal responsibility. Supervises activities related to expenditure
approvals, cost center assignments, budget compliance monitoring, and problem resolution.
Recommends cost-saving measures based on a thorough understanding of operations, policies,
funding agency regulations, and strategic priorities.
? Establishes and maintains a financial management system within SSH’s Accounting and Finance
Department structure to provide accurate, detailed, real-time reporting on financial status and
staffing distribution across all operating accounts. Manages grant fund flows through
Foundation Accounts and oversees billable revenue for all department services.
? Supervises staff responsible for generating monthly, annual, and ad-hoc financial reports on
department funds. These reports include current expenditures, future expense projections,
budget variances, and compliance assurances in collaboration with SSH’s Compliance
Department.
? Represents the department on professional billing and collection matters. Maintains a thorough
understanding of clinical reimbursement models and managed care issues specific to psychiatric
and behavioral health services. Identifies opportunities to optimize clinical reimbursement
processes, implements necessary policy changes, and educates providers and staff on
reimbursement-related issues.
Human Resources Management
? Maintains team-oriented and productive partnerships with all key stakeholders of the clinical
services to carry out the goals and objectives of the department.
? Serves as the department resource for all administrative issues concerning human resources
policies and procedures.
? Supports department operational and clinical leadership with ongoing human resources
management and support as needed. Supports the provider recruitment and retention process
to ensure the stability of staffing for the department.
? Implement all institutional policies related to all phases of personnel activity, including
recruitment, interviewing, compensation, benefits, orientation, performance evaluations,
promotions, transfers, and terminations. They will transmit and interpret policies to supervisors
and employees. They will ensure appropriate training of employees. They may be asked to write
job descriptions and opine on compensation of colleagues under their purview. He/she will
assess employee work loads and recommend changes as needed. They will monitor market
compensation rates to ensure our competitiveness. The Executive Director may represent the
department in employee relations matters.
Other Administrative Responsibilities
? Participates in all required department meetings, including those focused on personnel
recruitment and retention, quality and safety initiatives, daily operations, and other assigned
meetings to ensure alignment with departmental and organizational goals.
? Administers, either directly or through delegation, the department training and orientation
programs. This includes involvement in the selection process, establishing salary policies,
resolving salary and benefit issues, and ensuring compliance with hospital policies.
? Conducts space needs planning for department services. Participates in the design of space
renovations for facilities and identifies and resolves facility-related issues as they arise to ensure
an optimal environment for patient care and staff operations.
? Oversees the timely credentialing and payor enrollment of all professional providers within the
department to ensure compliance with hospital bylaws and to secure appropriate
reimbursement for clinical services.
? Assists with marketing, promotion, and fundraising efforts for clinical programs in collaboration
with South Shore Health’s Foundation and other relevant departments to enhance program
visibility and support growth initiatives.
? Consistently meets all deadlines for deliverables or activities as established by the CMO, Chair of
Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, and divisional/departmental policies and standards.
? Serves on hospital-based committees as assigned by the Chair of Psychiatry and Behavioral
Health to represent the interests of the department and contribute expertise to system-wide
initiatives.
? Performs other duties as assigned to support the operational, strategic, or administrative needs
of the department or organization.
The Executive Director of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health will embody South Shore Health's mission,
vision, and values, leading with integrity, strategic focus, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
This role is critical to building a strong, integrated Psychiatric and Behavioral Health department,
enhancing patient care delivery, driving program innovation, and improving access to high-quality
behavioral health services across the South Shore region.
Education & Experience
Qualifications
? Education
o MBA or equivalent degree required.
Work Experience
? Minimum of 5 years of hospital-based department and/or service line management experience
is required.
? Psychiatric and behavioral health-related management experience is strongly preferred.
? Supervisory experience is required, demonstrating the ability to lead and manage a diverse team
effectively.
Position Requirements
? Full-time leadership role requiring strong on-site presence to foster collaboration with key
stakeholders, including clinical, operational, and administrative teams.
? Demonstrated expertise in strategic planning, financial stewardship, quality improvement, and
human resources management within healthcare settings.
? Proven ability to lead programmatic growth, develop innovative solutions, and ensure
compliance with regulatory standards.
Skills & Abilities
? Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates outstanding interpersonal skills with the ability to handle
sensitive human resources issues and supervise a large, diverse staff. Proven ability to foster
collaboration and build productive relationships across all levels of the organization.
? Organizational Skills: Exhibits exceptional organizational skills necessary to manage multiple
competing priorities and responsibilities. Capable of delegating tasks effectively and planning for
the successful completion of both short- and long-term objectives.
? Communication: Possesses excellent verbal and written communication skills to engage
effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including senior hospital leaders, department
providers, support staff, and external partners. Ensures clear and concise messaging at all
organizational levels.
? Analytical Ability: Demonstrates a high degree of analytical ability to manage financial and
human resources aspects of the position. Utilizes data-driven approaches to monitor outcomes
and drive continuous improvement.
? Negotiation Skills: Exhibits excellent negotiation skills in complex and often sensitive multiinstitutional
negotiations for agreements and contracts. Able to advocate effectively for
departmental needs while maintaining collaborative relationships.
? Process Improvement: Strong capability to lead projects utilizing process improvement
methodologies such as High Reliability, Lean Six Sigma, Kaizen, and PDSA to enhance operational
efficiency and reduce variation.
? Leadership Competencies: Leads with integrity, strategic focus, and a commitment to
excellence. Demonstrates the ability to mobilize teams around common goals, fostering a
culture of collaboration, trust, and mutual respect.
? Financial Acumen: Efficiently manages departmental resources in collaboration with financial
teams. Advocates for responsible budgeting, resource allocation, and financial oversight to
support program sustainability and growth.
? Innovation and Change Management: Encourages innovation and challenges the status quo by
introducing new ideas, approaches, and solutions. Skilled in change management with the

ability to anticipate challenges, resolve resistance, and effectively address conflicts