The Organization

Centra Wellness Network is the publicly funded Community Mental Health Services Program (CMHSP) for Manistee and Benzie Counties, serving over 1,200 individuals annually who are primarily insured through Medicaid or uninsured. Headquartered in Manistee with a satellite location in Benzonia, the organization operates under Michigan's Mental Health Code with oversight from a public Board of Directors that meets in compliance with the Open Meetings Act.

The agency's mission is to enhance the freedom of individuals to lead meaningful lives through quality behavioral health care, leadership, individual wellness, and community teamwork. Centra Wellness Network's core values center on supporting a life of recovery, transparency in decision-making, a positive work and treatment environment, and responsiveness to community needs.

The organization provides a full continuum of behavioral health services, including adult and children's mental health services, access and emergency/crisis services, and substance use treatment, delivered by a multidisciplinary team that includes a Medical Director, Clinical Directors for Adult and Children's Services, and a Director of Access and Emergency Services.

Position Summary

The Executive Director serves as the chief executive officer of Centra Wellness Network and reports directly to the Board of Directors. The Executive Director is responsible for the overall leadership, strategic direction, financial sustainability, regulatory compliance, and day-to-day operations of the organization, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, accessible behavioral health services to residents of Manistee and Benzie Counties.

This is a high-visibility leadership role in a rural, two-county service area that requires a hands-on executive comfortable engaging with clinical staff, county government, state regulators, and the broader community alike.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic & Organizational Leadership: Provide vision and strategic direction for the organization; lead long-range and annual planning in partnership with the Board of Directors and senior leadership team.
• Board Relations: Serve as primary liaison to the Board of Directors; provide timely, accurate information to support sound governance and policy decisions.
• Financial Management: Oversee budgeting, financial reporting, and fiscal sustainability of a publicly funded behavioral health system, including Medicaid funding, state general fund allocations, and grant resources.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with the Michigan Mental Health Code, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) requirements, Medicaid managed care contracts, and all applicable licensing, accreditation, and reporting standards.
• Clinical & Quality Oversight: Work with the Medical Director and Clinical Directors to ensure high standards of care, clinical quality improvement, risk management, and consumer satisfaction.
• Staff Leadership & Culture: Recruit, develop, and retain a qualified workforce in a rural labor market; foster a positive, recovery-oriented organizational culture; oversee the senior leadership team.
• Community & Government Relations: Represent the organization with county commissioners, community partners, law enforcement, schools, hospitals, and other stakeholders across Manistee and Benzie Counties; advocate for behavioral health priorities at the regional and state level.
• Operations: Oversee facilities, technology, contracts, and administrative systems supporting service delivery across both counties.

Qualifications

Education & Licensure

• Master's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Public Administration, Health Administration, or a closely related field is required; a relevant professional license (e.g., LMSW, LPC, LP) is preferred.

Experience

• A minimum of seven to ten years of progressively responsible leadership experience in behavioral health, community mental health, or human services, including at least three to five years in a senior management or executive role.
• Demonstrated experience with publicly funded behavioral health systems, Medicaid funding structures, and Michigan's CMHSP service delivery model strongly preferred.
• Experience working with or reporting to a public governing board.
• Track record of sound fiscal management of multi-million dollar budgets in a nonprofit or public-sector setting.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Working knowledge of the Michigan Mental Health Code and MDHHS behavioral health policy and reporting requirements.
• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, cost reporting, and managed care contracting.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and unify teams across multiple service locations in a rural, two-county region.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to represent the organization effectively to the Board, government officials, and the public.
• Commitment to person-centered, recovery-oriented care and to the communities of Manistee and Benzie Counties.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications. A comprehensive benefits package is offered, including health insurance, retirement plan participation, and paid time off. Final compensation will be determined by the Board of Directors based on the selected candidate's experience.

The Community

Manistee and Benzie Counties sit along Michigan's northwest Lower Peninsula, bordered by Lake Michigan and known for their small-town character, lakeshore communities, state forests, and outdoor recreation. The region offers a high quality of life with a lower cost of living than many Michigan metropolitan areas, paired with the close-knit community connection typical of rural Northern Michigan.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should review the Recruitment Profile and then send a Letter of Interest and Resume to [email protected].