About the role

The Program Director is responsible for the day-to-day operation of Cherry Hills Recovery and its treatment programs, in partnership with the CEO and the executive team. The Program Director ensures that services for adults with substance use, mental health, and co-occurring disorders are delivered in a way that is evidence-based, trauma-informed, person-centered, and measurably effective, and that Cherry Hills Recovery is safe, well-maintained, fully staffed, and survey-ready. This is an operations-focused leadership role and a builder role: the Program Director builds and leads the program and facility teams with support from HR, strengthens operational systems, and works closely with clinical, medical, and other leaders to translate the organization’s mission into high-quality care, a safe environment of care, and strong client outcomes. The Program Director manages program and department budgets and partners with the CEO and finance leadership to protect Cherry Hills Recovery’s financial performance.

Details:

• Job Title: Program Director - Cherry Hills Recovery
• Location: Englewood, CO
• Type: Full-time, exempt (salaried)
• Pay Range: $120,000-$140,000 per year, plus eligibility for a performance bonus
• Schedule: M-F, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (after hours on call as scheduled and as needed for facility emergencies)
• Benefits: Unlimited PTO, Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance.

What you'll do

1. Program Leadership & Operational Development

• Lead day-to-day delivery of programming across Cherry Hills Recovery’s levels of care, turning organizational strategy into workflows, staffing structures, and standards of operation, in partnership with clinical and medical leaders.
• In partnership with the executive team and clinical leaders, lead the design and launch of new programs, groups, treatment tracks, and levels of care from concept through implementation and evaluation, while maintaining evidence-based practice, ASAM fidelity, and regulatory compliance.
• Contribute to the Senior Leadership Team and to organizational strategy, culture, and growth, and represent Cherry Hills Recovery to referral partners and the community in partnership with marketing and admissions leaders.

2. Program Oversight & Quality of Care

• Ensure that assessment, treatment planning, level-of-care decisions, transitions, and discharge planning are carried out on time and to standard, working with the clinical team to keep care individualized, trauma-informed, and integrated.
• Serve as an operational escalation point for client safety events, staffing gaps, and facility emergencies, including after-hours on-call as scheduled, and involve the CEO and licensed clinical staff for complex clinical situations.
• Support clinical documentation standards and ensure programming meets the expectations of the specialty populations and referral sources Cherry Hills Recovery serves.

3. Measurement-Based Care & Quality Improvement

• Support measurement-based care using validated outcome measures, and use outcome and client-experience data to evaluate and improve programming.
• Establish and monitor program and operational KPIs, including documentation timeliness, client engagement, retention, length of stay, census, and successful completion, with attention to reducing AMA/ACA discharges.
• Coordinate quality improvement, chart audits, incident reviews, and corrective-action plans, following through on completion and sustainability.

4. Staff Leadership, Supervision & Development

• With support from HR, recruit, onboard, supervise, evaluate, and retain program, behavioral health technician, and facility staff, and determine appropriate staffing structures as programs grow, including schedules, coverage, and staffing ratios.
• Ensure clinical supervision is provided, including supervision and documentation co-signature for license candidates and interns as required by Colorado regulations.
• Set clear roles and expectations, address performance concerns promptly and consistently with guidance from HR, and develop emerging program and operational leaders.

5. Daily Operations & Collaboration

• Oversee clinical schedules, group programming, milieu structure, caseload assignments, and daily client flow, and participate in census, staffing, utilization review, and capacity planning; work with admissions and marketing leaders to keep census and admissions on track.
• Partner with medical, nursing, admissions, operations, and recovery support leaders to deliver integrated care and resolve operational barriers.
• Oversee day-to-day operations at Cherry Hills Recovery, including, as applicable, housekeeping, food service, transportation, safety and security, and client amenities, to maintain a safe and therapeutic environment, in partnership with property management.

6. Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management

• Maintain clinical programming and facility operations consistent with Colorado Behavioral Health Administration requirements, ASAM criteria, Joint Commission standards, payer requirements, and organizational policies, and keep Cherry Hills Recovery survey-ready.
• Ensure adherence to scope-of-practice and supervision requirements, client rights, HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, mandatory reporting, and safety protocols.
• Partner with compliance, HR, and executive leadership to identify and address clinical, facility, and operational risk.

7. Facility Maintenance & Environment of Care (EOC) Compliance

• Carry out the Environment of Care (EOC) program for Cherry Hills Recovery alongside compliance and property management, in alignment with Joint Commission standards and Colorado BHA requirements, including safety, security, fire and life safety, utility systems, hazardous materials, and emergency management.
• Working with property management, oversee daily facility maintenance, repairs, grounds, and housekeeping, including work orders, outside vendors, and service contracts.
• Conduct regular environmental rounds and ligature and other client-safety risk assessments, and make sure findings are corrected on time in coordination with property management.
• Ensure fire drills, emergency preparedness exercises, and required inspections are completed and documented, and keep EOC records and safety committee documentation survey-ready.
• Recommend repairs, renovations, and capital needs to the COO and manage approved projects within budget.

8. Budget & Financial Management

• Manage the budgets for Cherry Hills Recovery programs and departments, including labor, overtime, supplies, and purchased services, and explain variances to the CEO and finance leadership.
• Review monthly financial reports and P&L statements with the CEO and finance leadership, and recommend actions to protect margin without compromising clinical quality or client safety.
• Monitor operational drivers of revenue, including census, admissions, length of stay, and utilization review, and work with admissions and billing leaders to resolve barriers.
• Approve expenditures within delegated authority and follow internal controls.

LEADERSHIP EXPECTATIONS

• Leads relationally: visible and approachable to frontline staff, builds trust through consistency and follow-through, gives direct feedback while preserving dignity, and models the boundaries and accountability expected in client care.
• Operates comfortably in a growing organization, moving between strategy and hands-on problem-solving and balancing innovation with clinical integrity and safety.
• Collaborates across the organization: works in partnership with the CEO and executive team, HR, finance, admissions and marketing, and property management, shares information openly, and brings concerns and ideas forward early.
• Is present on the floor and in the building: solves operational problems quickly, follows through on details, and keeps Cherry Hills Recovery running smoothly day to day.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree or higher in a behavioral health or healthcare administration discipline from an accredited institution.
• At least four (4) years of progressive experience in behavioral health, including substance use disorder treatment, with at least two (2) years in a supervisory or program or facility operations leadership role.
• Experience managing a budget and monitoring financial reports for a program, department, or facility.
• Demonstrated operational leadership and supervisory experience, including developing, implementing, or improving programs and operational systems.
• Working knowledge of ASAM criteria, trauma-informed care, clinical documentation standards, and behavioral health regulatory and accreditation requirements.
• Working knowledge of environment of care, life safety, and facility management requirements in behavioral health settings.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with executive leaders, HR, finance, and outside partners such as property management and referral sources.
• Current, unrestricted Colorado behavioral health license (LCSW, LPC, LMFT, or licensed psychologist) and eligibility to serve as a clinical supervisor under Colorado requirements.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) credential.
• Experience launching a new program, level of care, or facility, or working in a start-up or high-growth environment.
• Experience across residential, PHP, IOP, and outpatient levels of care.
• Experience serving executive/professional or young adult populations.
• Experience implementing measurement-based care and outcome systems, and participating in Joint Commission or Colorado BHA surveys, including EOC and life safety components.
• MBA, MHA, or similar business or healthcare administration degree or coursework.
• Experience managing facility maintenance vendors or capital projects.

Full Time Benefits

Full-time employees at Ignitus Recovery are eligible for:

• Unlimited PTO: Time off to rest and recharge.
• Flexible medical coverage: Through our Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA), you choose the individual health plan that fits you and your household, and Ignitus makes generous contributions toward your premiums, including for eligible dependents.
• Dental: Delta Dental of Colorado (PPO plus Premier plan), with the employee premium fully paid by Ignitus.
• Vision: DeltaVision (VSP Choice Network), with the employee premium fully paid by Ignitus.
• Family coverage: Dependents may be added to dental and vision at the employee's expense.

About Ignitus Recovery

Ignitus Recovery was founded on a simple realization that people seeking help for substance use and mental health benefit most from care that is connected, personalized, and grounded in real human relationships. The founders recognized the importance of creating a more seamless experience, where individuals feel understood, supported, and guided throughout their recovery journey. Ignitus was built to offer a continuum of care rooted in clinical excellence and the belief that recovery is not a single moment but an ongoing process that deserves consistency, dignity, and support at every stage.

From the beginning, Ignitus was designed to be more than a treatment provider. It was built as a recovery ecosystem that brings together evidence based practices, trauma informed care, and a recovery oriented system of care. By integrating clinical treatment with community, purpose, and long term engagement, Ignitus focuses not only on stabilization but on lasting transformation. The goal is to help each person move toward a life that feels meaningful, connected, and sustainable, supported by a team that walks alongside them every step of the way.