SUMMARY: The Director of Network Strategy & System Partnerships represents a senior leadership position within the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA). Reporting to the Senior Director, Cross County Contracts & Partnerships, the Director serves as the primary operational leader responsible for developing, managing, and strengthening CalMHSA's statewide behavioral health partner network.

The Director of Network Strategy & System Partnerships provides executive leadership for CalMHSA’s statewide behavioral health partner network, serving as the primary operational liaison between counties, state agencies, health systems, managed care organizations, providers, and strategic partners. This position is responsible for building and strengthening statewide collaborative networks that advance behavioral health transformation, information sharing, network development and capacity planning, and implementation of large-scale initiatives.

The Director leads network development, strategic provider and county partnerships, governance, implementation support, and cross-organizational collaboration while ensuring counties have the resources and relationships necessary to successfully adopt statewide initiatives.

This role combines executive relationship management, operational leadership, behavioral health expertise, and systems thinking to advance CalMHSA’s mission of supporting California’s public behavioral health system.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to:

• Develop and execute statewide network strategies while building and maintaining relationships with counties, providers, managed care organizations, health systems, and other partners to improve access, coordination, and resource sharing.
• Oversee provider network performance and contract effectiveness by working with counties, providers, and internal teams to improve access, maximize housing and treatment resources, address operational challenges, and optimize clinical service outcomes.
• Serve as the primary liaison between CalMHSA and external partners, leading stakeholder engagement, governance activities, and collaborative planning efforts to support statewide initiatives.
• Lead provider network management, housing and treatment resource planning, contract oversight, and network optimization efforts to ensure effective utilization of statewide behavioral health resources.
• Develop implementation and operational plans, monitor progress, track performance measures, and ensure counties and partners receive the necessary resources and support to successfully implement statewide initiatives.
• Support the design and implementation of innovative initiatives that improve statewide behavioral health coordination and outcomes.
• Monitor housing and treatment capacity and develop solutions to address system bottlenecks and service gaps.
• Develop recommendations to improve network capacity, service delivery, provider performance, and operational efficiency.
• Identify opportunities to leverage partnerships and shared resources to advance CalMHSA's strategic goals.
• Ensure accurate documentation of network activities, partnership agreements, governance decisions, and implementation progress.
• Promotes continuous improvement, automation, and data-driven decision making.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and strategic direction to assigned staff, project teams, consultants, and stakeholders.
• Perform other duties as assigned, demonstrating flexibility and commitment to organizational success.

BACKGROUND CHECK ELIGIBLE DUTIES

This position has access to confidential information related to county partnerships, statewide initiatives, strategic planning efforts, contracts, operational data, stakeholder communications, and other sensitive organizational information. The Director regularly participates in executive-level discussions involving public agencies, healthcare systems, managed care organizations, and strategic partners that may include confidential operational, financial, policy, or programmatic information.

Additionally, this position supports governance activities, partnership negotiations, implementation planning, and statewide initiatives that require a high degree of trust, discretion, and professional judgment. A background check helps ensure the individual demonstrates the integrity, professionalism, and trustworthiness necessary to protect sensitive information, maintain stakeholder confidence, and effectively represent CalMHSA's mission and interests.

QUALIFICATIONS –

An acceptable equivalent combination of education, experience, and skill may be considered. 

Education:

Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Healthcare Administration, Public Health, Behavioral Health, Business Administration, Social Work, or a related field required.

Master's degree preferred.

Experience:

• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in relevant behavioral health, healthcare administration, public sector programs, health systems, managed care, or related fields. 
• Minimum three (3) years of management or leadership experience overseeing programs, partnerships, and large-scale initiatives. 
• Experience managing provider networks, treatment facility partnerships, housing programs, or healthcare delivery systems preferred. 
• Experience overseeing provider contracts, network performance, service utilization, and compliance activities preferred. 
• Experience working with county behavioral health agencies, healthcare systems, managed care organizations, providers, or statewide behavioral health initiatives strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience building and managing complex stakeholder relationships across multiple organizations. 
• Experience leading large-scale initiatives involving public agencies, healthcare organizations, providers, or community partners. 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential functions satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. 

Behavioral Health & Systems Knowledge

• Knowledge of California's behavioral health service delivery system and public-sector environment.
• Understanding of healthcare systems, managed care organizations, county behavioral health operations, and community-based service delivery models.
• Knowledge of behavioral health policy, statewide behavioral health initiatives, and program implementation practices.
• Understanding of governance structures, stakeholder engagement models, and partnership development strategies.

Communication & Interpersonal Skills: 

• Exceptional relationship-building and stakeholder management skills. 
• Ability to communicate effectively with executive leaders, county officials, providers, policymakers, and community partners. 
• Strong facilitation, presentation, negotiation, and conflict-resolution abilities. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Technical Proficiency:

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Experience utilizing project management and collaboration software.
• Experience with reporting tools, dashboards, and performance metrics.
• Must be highly technology savvy.

Leadership & Management: 

• Demonstrated leadership and organizational development skills. 
• Ability to lead complex initiatives involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities. 
• Strong project management and execution capabilities. 
• Ability to coach, mentor, and develop staff and teams.
• Able to provide and document timely and effective performance feedback to applicable team members. 
• Must be able to work a full-time schedule to manage a team of full-time team members. 

Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills: 

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to assess processes and data to inform decision-making.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities, with a proactive approach to overcoming challenges and driving optimization.

Personal Attributes: 

• Demonstrates a commitment to public service and improving behavioral health outcomes throughout California.
• Detail-oriented and organized, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines. 
• Demonstrates initiative, independence, and resourcefulness in executing responsibilities.
• Adaptable to dynamic work environments and capable of working in-office settings.
• Confidentiality and integrity focused.
• Has a strong desire to succeed in the face of adversity and demonstrates the willingness to push through challenges associated with changes and new business development.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS - The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and stand; use phone and headset; use hands, arms, fingers to type; answer phones; write; use calculator; demonstrate strength to lift and carry materials weighing up to 10 pounds; demonstrate clear vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone; and drive a motor vehicle on public roads and highways.

SENSORY DEMANDS - The incumbent must spend long hours in intense concentration. The incumbent must also spend long hours on the computer entering information which requires attention to detail and high levels of accuracy.

MENTAL DEMANDS - There are a number of deadlines associated with this position, which may cause significant pressure. The incumbent must also deal with a wide variety of people on various issues.

REGULAR WORK SCHEDULE – Varies depending on business needs; however, company normal business hours are 8:00am to 5:00pm, Monday – Friday