Program Director – Mental Health & Support Services

Location: Madison, WI

Lead a Team That Changes Lives

We are partnering with a respected Wisconsin nonprofit dedicated to providing free emotional support, education, and wellness programming for individuals and families facing serious health challenges. This mission-driven organization believes no one should have to navigate life's most difficult moments alone and is committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive community where individuals can connect, heal, and thrive.

We are seeking an experienced Program Director to provide strategic leadership, clinical oversight, and operational direction for the organization's statewide mental health and psychosocial support programs. This individual will serve as a key member of the leadership team, ensuring programs are clinically sound, impactful, and aligned with the organization's mission while leading and developing a team of mental health professionals.

This position reports directly to the Executive Director/CEO.

Position Overview

The Program Director is responsible for the overall leadership, quality, and growth of the organization's mental health and support programs. This role combines clinical leadership, staff management, strategic planning, community partnership development, and program innovation to ensure exceptional support services for participants across Wisconsin.

The ideal candidate is an experienced licensed mental health professional who has successfully led multidisciplinary teams, supervised clinicians, and is passionate about expanding access to compassionate, evidence-based psychosocial care.

Required Qualifications

Candidates must possess the following:

Master's degree in Psychology, Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, Counseling, or another closely related behavioral health field from an accredited institution.
Current unrestricted Wisconsin mental health licensure is required. Applicants must hold active licensure as one of the following (or an equivalent Wisconsin-approved credential):
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT)
Licensed Psychologist
Minimum of five (5) years of experience supervising, managing, mentoring, and developing other licensed mental health professionals.
Minimum of five years of post-graduate clinical experience.
Experience providing clinical supervision, consultation, or program leadership.
Strong knowledge of behavioral health best practices, trauma-informed care, group facilitation, and psychosocial programming.
Valid Wisconsin driver's license with reliable transportation.

Preferred Experience

While not required, the ideal candidate will bring experience in one or more of the following:

Oncology, psycho-oncology, or cancer support programming.
Clinical mental health services within healthcare or hospital systems.
Hospice, palliative care, grief counseling, or chronic illness support.
Leading behavioral health or psychosocial support programs for individuals and families experiencing significant medical challenges.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Leadership & Program Oversight (30%)

Provide clinical leadership for all psychosocial support programming.
Ensure programs reflect evidence-based practices and high standards of clinical care.
Design, implement, and continuously improve support groups, educational programming, wellness initiatives, social activities, and participant onboarding.
Conduct ongoing assessments of participant needs, program effectiveness, accessibility, and inclusivity.
Personally facilitate or oversee multiple support programs.
Train, mentor, and coach clinical staff and program facilitators.
Ensure compliance with applicable professional standards and ethical guidelines.
Lead innovation and expansion of mental health programming.
Evaluate participant outcomes and recommend improvements.
Collect, analyze, and report program data.
Identify opportunities for statewide program growth.
Build relationships with referral sources and community partners through meetings, presentations, and outreach.
Recruit, hire, supervise, mentor, and evaluate program staff.
Provide ongoing coaching and professional development.
Foster collaboration, accountability, and clinical excellence across the team.
Supervise interns and collaborate with university partners.
Support volunteer integration within program operations when appropriate.

Community Partnerships & Outreach (20%)

Serve as a visible ambassador for the organization throughout Wisconsin.
Build and maintain relationships with healthcare providers, nonprofit organizations, and community stakeholders.
Represent the organization at conferences, community events, and professional meetings.
Collaborate with statewide and national professional networks.
Partner with development staff by providing program information to support fundraising and grant opportunities.

Strategic Leadership (5%)

Partner with executive leadership on strategic planning initiatives.
Assist in developing and managing the annual program budget.
Support long-term planning for organizational growth and community impact.
Serve as liaison to clinical advisory committees and professional partners.

Communications & Marketing (5%)

Collaborate on outreach materials promoting programs and services.
Ensure accurate program information across digital and print communications.
Support mission-driven storytelling and community engagement initiatives.

What We're Looking For

The ideal candidate is:

A licensed mental health professional with exceptional clinical judgment.
An experienced leader who has successfully supervised and developed clinical teams.
Passionate about improving access to mental health and psychosocial support services.
Skilled at balancing strategic thinking with day-to-day operational leadership.
An outstanding communicator who builds trust with staff, participants, healthcare partners, and community organizations.
Comfortable working in a collaborative, nonprofit environment where flexibility and compassion are essential.
Committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive care.
Experienced evaluating community needs and translating those insights into meaningful, impactful programs.

Physical Requirements

Ability to work in a standard office environment.
Ability to lift up to 15 pounds occasionally.
Frequent computer and telephone use.
Ability to travel throughout Wisconsin for meetings, outreach, and community events.
Valid driver's license and automobile insurance required.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Generous paid time off
Paid holidays
Mission-driven, collaborative work environment
Opportunity to make a meaningful impact across communities throughout Wisconsin

Equal Opportunity Employer

Our client is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where every employee, volunteer, and program participant feels respected, valued, and supported. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.

Applicants must hold an active Wisconsin mental health license and have a minimum of five (5) years of experience supervising, managing, and developing licensed mental health professionals. Candidates who do not meet these minimum qualifications will not be considered.

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