Clinical Director, Village Wellness Center

Job DetailsJob Location: Village Wellness Center - Chicago, IL 60615Position Type: ContractorSalary Range: $40.00 - $60.00 HourlyAbout The Village Wellness Center

Village Wellness Center (VWC) is the behavioral health division of It Takes A Village Family of Schools. VWC provides comprehensive, trauma-informed, culturally responsive behavioral health services to children, adolescents, adults, and families. Through individual, family, and group counseling, school-based mental health services, prevention programming, consultation, and community partnerships, VWC is committed to increasing access to high-quality behavioral healthcare while reducing barriers to care throughout the communities we serve.

Position Summary

The Clinical Director will oversee clinical quality, staff supervision, compliance, program development, and community partnerships while helping guide the continued growth of the organization. This is a contracted leadership position (20–25 hours per week) with the opportunity to expand as the Village Wellness Center continues to grow. 

The Clinical Director of the Village Wellness Center (VWC) provides executive leadership for all clinical, operational, administrative, and strategic functions of the organization. The Clinical Director is responsible for ensuring the delivery of high-quality, ethical, and culturally responsive behavioral health services while maintaining compliance with all applicable federal, state, payer, and accreditation requirements.

The Clinical Director leads the organization's strategic vision by overseeing and developing all clinical programming, developing and fostering community partnerships, expanding access to care, supervising staff, overseeing financial and operational performance, and ensuring that services align with the VWC's mission of improving the mental health and well-being of children, adolescents, adults, and families.

Position Details


Employment Status: Independent Contractor
Schedule: Approximately 20–25 hours per week
Compensation: $40.00–$60.00 per hour, commensurate with education, licensure, and experience
Work Environment: In-person. Will report in office, in community settings and may provide leadership across multiple service locations. Evening or weekend hours may occasionally be required to support community events, workshops, or organizational initiatives.
Travel: Local travel between Village Wellness Center locations, ITAV schools, and community partners as needed.


Essential Duties and Responsibilities:


Executive Leadership


Provide strategic leadership for all Village Wellness Center operations.
Develop and implement organizational goals, policies, and strategic initiatives.
Establish annual objectives, performance metrics, and quality improvement initiatives.
Serve as the primary representative of the VWC with community organizations, schools, healthcare providers, funders, and governmental agencies.
Foster a culture of collaboration, professionalism, accountability, and excellence.


Clinical Leadership

Oversee and develop all clinical programming 
Provide clinical oversight of behavioral health services.
Provide formal clinical supervision of VWC staff
Ensure services are trauma-informed, culturally responsive, evidence-based, and person-centered.
Oversee clinical policies, procedures, and standards of care.
Ensure compliance with documentation, confidentiality, and ethical practice standards.
Support clinical consultation and complex case review 
Oversee VWC internship program/opportunities


Operations and Compliance

Provide oversight of clinic operations.
Ensure compliance with Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), Medicaid regulations, HIPAA, payer requirements, and all applicable state and federal regulations.
Oversee quality assurance and quality improvement activities.
Monitor productivity, clinical outcomes, and organizational performance indicators.
Develop operational policies and procedures.


Staff Leadership

Supervising clinical staff and partner with leadership on hiring 
Provide ongoing supervision and professional development opportunities.
Promote employee engagement, retention, and professional growth.
Foster interdisciplinary collaboration among clinicians, case managers, interns, and support staff.


Financial and Business Operations

Develop and monitor departmental budgets.
Oversee revenue cycle performance in collaboration with billing personnel.
Monitor productivity and financial sustainability.
Assist with contract development and vendor relationships.
Identify opportunities for organizational growth and service expansion.


Community Partnerships

Develop and maintain collaborative partnerships with schools, healthcare organizations, community agencies, and other stakeholders.
Represent VWC at key meetings and events. .
Develop initiatives that increase access to behavioral health services.
Strengthen referral networks and collaborative care partnerships.


Program Development

Design and implement innovative behavioral health programs.
Develop prevention, outreach, and psychoeducational initiatives.
Oversee implementation of evidence-based practices.
Evaluate program effectiveness and recommend improvements.


Grants and Strategic Initiatives

Assist in identifying grant opportunities.
Support grant development, implementation, and reporting.
Participate in strategic planning initiatives.
Develop community benefit and outreach programming.


Risk Management

Ensure organizational compliance with legal and ethical standards.
Oversee incident reporting and risk management processes.
Maintain policies related to privacy, confidentiality, and client rights.
Ensure organizational preparedness for audits and regulatory reviews.


Perform additional duties as assigned


Why Join Us?


Impact: Make a profound difference in the lives of individuals and communities by playing a pivotal role in addressing social, emotional, and psychological needs.
Growth: Be part of an innovative, expanding organization with opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
Community: Collaborate with a team of dedicated professionals committed to supporting and advocating for vulnerable populations.
Innovation: Contribute to a cutting-edge model of education that integrates social justice, community engagement, and academic excellence.

QualificationsRequired:


Master's degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy, or a related behavioral health field.
Current Illinois clinical license in good standing (LCPC, LCSW, LMFT, or Clinical Psychologist).
Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible behavioral health experience.
Minimum of three years of leadership or supervisory experience.
Demonstrated knowledge of behavioral healthcare operations, Medicaid, managed care, and regulatory compliance.
Strong knowledge of trauma-informed care, behavioral health best practices, and community mental health systems.


Preferred:


Experience leading a licensed behavioral health clinic.
Experience with school-based behavioral health programs.
Experience with Medicaid-funded behavioral health services.
Experience with grant management and program development.
Experience supervising multidisciplinary teams.
Experience with electronic health record systems.
Experience developing community partnerships.


Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:


Exceptional leadership and organizational skills.
Strong clinical judgment and ethical decision-making.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Strong strategic planning and problem-solving abilities.
Ability to build collaborative relationships across diverse systems.
Knowledge of Illinois behavioral health regulations and payer requirements.
Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive care.


Who You Are:


A visionary leader grounded in compassion and driven by a deep commitment to equity and community-centered care.
A seasoned clinician with a strong foundation in trauma-informed, culturally responsive practices and a passion for promoting mental health and wellness in marginalized communities.
A strategic thinker who can seamlessly balance big-picture planning with day-to-day operational management, ensuring high-quality service delivery and sustainable growth.
A mentor and coach who empowers others through supportive supervision, guidance, and professional development, fostering a positive and inclusive organizational culture.
A collaborative partner who builds strong, trust-based relationships across diverse stakeholders—from community members and staff to external partners and funders.
An advocate for justice who is committed to advancing health equity through innovative, data-driven


Physical Requirements:


Ability to travel between clinic and community locations as needed.
Ability to sit, stand, and use a computer for extended periods.
Ability to facilitate trainings and community presentations.