Behavioral Health Administrator presso Eau Claire County, WI

About the Department

The Behavioral Health Division Administrator provides strategic, operational, and people-centered leadership for Eau Claire County’s Behavioral Health Division. This position oversees all aspects of the division’s programs, personnel, and performance, ensuring that services are delivered effectively, efficiently, and compassionately to the community. As both a strategic leader and skilled people manager, the Administrator directs a multidisciplinary team of behavioral health professionals, cultivating a culture of trust, accountability, inclusion, and continuous learning. The Administrator ensures staff are supported, well-trained, and aligned with organizational goals, fostering an environment where employees feel empowered to serve with excellence. This role requires a leader who can balance vision and execution—setting direction while managing daily operations, budgets, compliance, and program quality. 

Position Duties

Leadership & Strategic Vision

• Provide visionary leadership and long-term strategic direction for the Behavioral Health Division.
• Align programs, policies, and initiatives with departmental and county goals.
• Champion innovation, continuous improvement, and system transformation that advances community wellbeing.
• Serve as a senior advisor to the Director of Human Services on division strategy, operations, and performance.

Management & Operations

• Oversee the daily operations of the Behavioral Health Division to ensure quality, efficiency, and compliance.
• Direct program planning, implementation, and evaluation across all behavioral health service areas.
• Manage division budgets, contracts, grants, and fiscal performance with transparency and accountability.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and licensing standards.
• Establish measurable goals and outcomes; use data and metrics to guide operational decisions and improvements.

People Leadership & Organizational Culture

• Lead, mentor, and support a diverse team of supervisors, clinicians, case managers, and administrative staff.
• Create a culture of psychological safety, trust, and inclusion where employees feel valued, respected, and heard.
• Model compassionate, trauma-informed leadership that promotes staff wellbeing and resilience.
• Provide consistent supervision, performance coaching, and professional development opportunities.
• Lead workforce planning, including recruitment, retention, succession development, and team alignment.
• Encourage collaboration and open communication across teams to strengthen engagement and shared purpose.
• Address performance and organizational challenges proactively and constructively.

Communication & Collaboration

• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external partners, including community agencies, providers, and individuals with lived experience.
• Communicate effectively with staff, leadership, and stakeholders using clarity, empathy, and transparency.
• Represent the Behavioral Health Division in community forums, collaborative initiatives, and cross-agency planning efforts.

Systems Thinking & Community Impact

• Lead countywide efforts to address behavioral health challenges through systems integration, policy development, and advocacy.
• Use data-driven insights to inform decisions and ensure equitable resource allocation.
• Engage with the community to ensure services are accessible, inclusive, and responsive to emerging needs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in a field related to the administration of human services, such as social work, counseling, clinical psychology, leadership, administration, or another human service-related field. 
• At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in behavioral health or human services, including 3+ years in a leadership or management role. 
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, team leadership, budget management, and program development.
• Appointment will be conditional upon successful completion of criminal and caregiver background checks.
• Must have valid driver’s license, an acceptable driving record, and access to private transportation for work-related duties.  
• Must possess and maintain personal automobile insurance in the amount of $100,000/$300,000.

Other Qualifications

• Experience designing or improving service delivery systems.
• Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, or Certified Social Worker.
• Three thousand (3,000) hours of supervised clinical practice where the majority of clients are adults with mental illness, OR one thousand five hundred (1,500) hours of supervised clinical experience in a mental health program.

Core Competencies:

Visionary & Strategic Leadership: Anticipates change and leads with foresight and purpose.

People Leadership: Inspires, develops, and empowers staff to perform at their best.

Operational Excellence: Manages systems, budgets, and performance with precision and accountability.

Emotional Intelligence: Leads with empathy, humility, and authenticity.

Resilient Leadership: Models adaptability and promote wellness during times of change.

Effective Communication: Fosters transparent, honest, and constructive dialogue.

Collaborative Mindset: Builds partnerships and promotes shared success.

Psychological Safety Champion: Creates an environment where staff feel safe to learn, grow, and innovate.