SUMMARY OF ORGANIZATION 

BUILD, Inc. (Broader Urban Involvement and Leadership Development) is seeking a committed, self-motivated, and innovative individual to join our team. BUILD is a nationally respected gang intervention, violence prevention, and youth development organization based on Chicago’s West Side. Since 1969, BUILD has worked to save lives and mentor young people living in some of the city’s most challenged neighborhoods. When you work at BUILD, you make an important difference in the lives of the thousands of youth and families we serve.

Our Core Values: Empathy, Passion, Persistence, and Innovation.   

 POSITION SUMMARY 

The Director of Mental Health and Therapeutic Services provides strategic, clinical, operational, and cultural leadership for BUILD’s Mental Health and Therapeutic Services (MHTS) department. This position is responsible for developing an integrated model of care that advances individual, family, and community well-being through the combined strengths of relational practice, community connection, and evidence-based mental health services.

The Director serves as both a clinical and organizational leader, overseeing MHTS while strengthening collaboration across departments to ensure the department is fully integrated into BUILD’s mission, programs, and community impact efforts. The Director fosters a culture of belonging, accountability, healing, and relational responsibility among staff, youth, families, and community partners.

The Director is responsible for strategic planning, program development, staff development, financial stewardship, quality outcomes, regulatory compliance, community partnerships, and the ongoing advancement of culturally responsive mental health services. As part of BUILD’s leadership team, the Director reports to the Chief Program Officer and develops structures and systems that support high-quality care, including Medicaid billing implementation and clinical services oversight. BUILD provides services in individual and group settings through a growing portfolio of mental health and wellness programming, including the Community Violence Support Services (CVSS) program, BUILDing Girls 2 Women (BG2W), and the Mobile Mental Health Unit.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Manage and implement funding sources that support the agency’s mental health and therapeutic services.

• Supervise managers and provide oversight of key management staff.

• Oversee interviewing, hiring, and onboarding of new staff.

• Develop an annual clinical staff training plan and ensure delivery of appropriate ongoing training in accordance with    organizational standards.

• Ensure the development and implementation of annual program work plans, including program goals and measurable outcomes consistent with the agency’s strategic plan.

• Develop and maintain program procedures, guidelines, and high-quality standards of practice in collaboration with managers and staff, while adhering to the NASW Code of Ethics and promoting ethical conduct and professional competency among program staff.

• Ensure successful monthly Medicaid billing and grant reporting as needed.

• Collaborate with the executive team to develop program, project, and agency budgets, and monitor monthly financial reports to ensure programs remain on target to meet programmatic and agency fiscal goals.

• Submit monthly reports that include analysis of program and fiscal data and recommended solutions to address deviations from original plans.

• Engage in community outreach to promote BUILD programs and services and increase the agency’s visibility with partner agencies and potential donors.

• Establish and maintain regular contact with community organizations, churches, partner schools, businesses, elected officials, police departments, and other stakeholders in relation to clinical services that support youth.

• Participate in efforts to strengthen partnerships with organizations that support collaborative projects to enhance the mental health and well-being of youth and families.

• Participate in the agency’s leadership team, demonstrating a commitment to cooperation and collaboration among directors, managers, staff, programs, and departments.

• Represent the agency to broaden community awareness and support while effectively communicating BUILD’s programs and services.

•  Organize and participate in initiatives that provide BUILD with a platform to serve youth through its programs and services.

•  Work closely with the Chief Program Officer, as appropriate, on partnership opportunities.

•  Work closely with the Chief Development Officer to identify potential funding opportunities, strategic alliances, and partnerships that may increase revenue.

• Work closely with the Director of Community Engagement and Strategic Partnerships to identify, source, and maintain relationships with community partners, elected officials, and government entities.

• Maintain a flexible work schedule that may include evening and weekend hours.

• Conduct needs assessments and coordinate action planning to address targeted community issues.

•  Work closely with BUILD Program Directors to assess the needs of youth and programs and create strategies to meet those needs.

•  Align work closely with program needs and development goals.

• Assist in preparing project funding proposals, budgets, and related reports.

In addition to the responsibilities listed above, all BUILD Inc. employees are responsible for the following:

• Participate in agency outreach and recruitment events, including evenings and weekends.

• Participate in civic engagement activities that advance the mission of BUILD, Inc.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

 REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES 

• Demonstrated skills and experience in the provision, supervision, and management of case management services, including intervention programs for youth, out-of-school-time programs, educational support services, health and wellness programs, and arts programming.

• Knowledge of social service best practices and experience in program development, budgeting, fiscal accountability, and business management.

• Knowledge of behavioral health and therapeutic modalities that address psychosocial challenges and mental health needs in a culturally responsive manner.

• Experience in program management and evaluation, leadership, effective team building, and oral and written communication.

• Ability to work with and serve families in communities of color, communities with low socioeconomic access, and communities experiencing high levels of violence.

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to troubleshoot, respond to crises, and prioritize work to address immediate issues while remaining on target to reach established goals and objectives.

• Ability to use a personal vehicle, as needed, for transportation to meetings and to work occasionally evenings and weekends.

• Proficiency with computers and related technology, including internet, email, and database systems.

• Demonstrated ability to maintain professional and ethical competency by adhering to the NASW Code of Ethics.

• Ability to ensure compliance with grants and contracts from a variety of funders with varied guidelines, rules, program requirements, and reporting requirements.

• Ability to develop and adhere to program budgets and work plans, identify program progress and challenges related to established goals, troubleshoot problems, and course correct as necessary.

• Demonstrated ability to analyze data and apply critical thinking, innovation, and creativity to achieve agency program goals and objectives.

• Ability to effectively use supervision to solve problems and identify solutions to program-related issues.

• Ability to create evaluation plans and determine outcome measures that address program-specific goals.

• Excellent management, public speaking, writing, and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to pass a criminal record and child abuse/neglect registry check.

• A passion for the mission of BUILD, Inc.

• Must have a valid driver’s license, access to reliable transportation, and willingness to travel locally.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS 

 • Master’s degree in social work, Psychology, or a related field required.

• Licensure in the State of Illinois required; LCSW, LPHA, LMFT, or LCPC required.

• A minimum of five years of post-master’s experience in effective program management and supervision in social services and/or behavioral health services, with a work history demonstrating progressively increased responsibility within the field.

• Experience with Medicaid billing is required.

• Experience supervising multidisciplinary teams, including master’s-level clinicians, is highly desirable.

• Understanding of community-based mental health services in a multidisciplinary organization.

• Experience with diverse populations, particularly from marginalized and under-resourced communities.

• Must have a valid driver’s license, access to reliable transportation, and willingness to travel locally.

BUILD, Inc. does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, citizenship, ethnic or national origin, age, disability, medical status, military status, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, ancestry, or any other legally protected status. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, and training.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically prohibit employment. BUILD, Inc. considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the time elapsed since the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement: External and internal applicants, as well as employees who become disabled, must be able to perform the essential job-specific functions listed within each job responsibility, either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by the organization on a case-by-case basis.

This organization reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

Salary Range

 $100,880 -$104,000.