Market Operations Director

Guidelight Health is a cutting-edge behavioral healthcare company dedicated to transforming lives through high-quality PHP (Partial Hospitalization Program) and IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program) services. As a newly launched organization, we are on a mission to redefine the behavioral health industry by delivering exceptional care, utilizing state-of-the-art facilities, and prioritizing the well-being of those we serve. At Guidelight Health, we are building a team of passionate, forward-thinking professionals who are eager to be part of this exciting journey to reshape mental health care. Join us in making a lasting impact!

Description:

Title: Market Operations Director

Reports to: Chief Operating Officer

Department/Location: Colorado Market

FLSA Status: Exempt

Summary:

As the Market Operations Director (MOD), you will serve as the senior operational leader responsible for the performance, growth, and clinical integrity of Guidelight Health's clinics across Colorado. Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, you will partner with site-level Executive Directors and clinical leadership to drive a unified vision, one where exceptional patient outcomes and sustainable business performance go hand in hand. 

This is a high-impact, highly visible role for a leader who thrives at the intersection of clinical excellence, operational strategy, and team development. You will be accountable for market-level KPIs spanning access, clinical outcomes, financial performance, and team engagement, and you will lead with both the analytical rigor to drive results and the human-centered approach to build a culture people are proud to be part of. If you are energized by building things, developing people, and driving growth in a fast-paced, high-growth environment, this role is for you. 

Responsibilities:

• Team Leadership & Development 
  • Lead, coach, and develop a team of site-level Executive Directors and clinical/operational staff across the Colorado market. 
  • Build leadership bench strength through intentional talent development, succession planning, and performance management. 
  • Establish clear accountability structures while providing the support, resources, and development opportunities teams need to succeed. 
  • Foster a high-performance environment grounded in collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement. 
  • Drive employee engagement and retention as a strategic priority, investing in the long-term organizational health of the market. 
• Market Culture & Engagement 
  • Champion a strong, values-driven culture across all Colorado locations, ensuring consistent alignment to Guidelight's mission and a client-centered, outcomes-focused mindset. 
  • Create meaningful consistency across sites while respecting and honoring the dynamics unique to each local community. 
  • Model and reinforce the behaviors, norms, and expectations that define Guidelight's culture — serving as a visible, present, and inspiring leader across the market. 
  • Drive a shared sense of purpose and belonging that fuels engagement, retention, and exceptional patient care. 
• Operational Excellence in a Multi-Site Environment 
  • Oversee day-to-day operations across all Colorado sites, ensuring efficient, compliant, and high-quality service delivery. 
  • Implement and continuously refine standardized processes and operational frameworks that scale across locations without sacrificing flexibility or quality. 
  • Partner cross-functionally with clinical, finance, HR, growth, and compliance teams to optimize performance and resolve operational challenges. 
  • Leverage data, analytics, and performance metrics to monitor trends, identify gaps, and drive timely, informed action plans. 
  • Thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth environment with evolving infrastructure, bringing structure and clarity without losing agility. 
• Growth & Market Expansion 
  • Bring a growth mindset to every aspect of the role — identifying opportunities to expand access, improve capacity, and drive market performance. 
  • Partner with clinical outreach teams and site leaders to execute growth strategies, build and sustain referral relationships, and grow average daily census (ADC) across the region. 
  • Identify opportunities for organic growth, new site development, and service line expansion in alignment with Guidelight's broader strategic plan. 
  • Serve as a market intelligence resource, synthesizing field feedback and competitive dynamics into actionable strategy for leadership. 
  • Maintain operational integrity and care quality as the business scales and new sites come online. 
• Program Development & Clinical Integrity 
  • Collaborate with clinical leadership and Executive Directors to design, implement, and continuously refine PHP and IOP treatment programs and protocols. 
  • Ensure all programs reflect current evidence-based practices, regulatory standards, and the evolving needs of the patient population. 
  • Serve as a clinical thought leader across the market, setting standards of care and championing a trauma-informed, culturally responsive treatment environment. 
• Financial Stewardship & Performance Accountability 
  • Hold ultimate accountability for regional profit & loss, working in close partnership with site-level Executive Directors to monitor and act on financial performance. 
  • Own market-level KPIs including client access, clinical outcomes, financial performance, and team engagement, communicating results and strategic recommendations to COO and Guidelight leadership on a regular cadence. 
  • Make data-informed decisions to optimize net revenue, manage operating costs, and drive long-term financial sustainability across the region. 
• Quality Assurance & Risk Management 
  • Monitor and evaluate clinical services to ensure ongoing compliance with JCAHO/CARF accreditation standards, Colorado state regulations, and internal organizational policies. 
  • Lead and champion quality improvement initiatives, fostering a culture of continuous learning and accountability at every level. 
  • Proactively identify clinical, operational, and compliance risks and implement appropriate mitigation strategies. 
  • Ensure all sites maintain rigorous safety standards and therapeutic treatment environments. 
• Patient Experience & Community Engagement 
  • Champion a patient-centered philosophy across all sites, ensuring care delivery honors the dignity, individuality, and preferences of every person served. 
  • Implement feedback mechanisms to capture the patient voice and integrate it into continuous improvement efforts. 
  • Represent Guidelight Health as an ambassador in professional forums, community events, and collaborative partnerships across Colorado. 
  • Advance mental health awareness and strengthen Guidelight's reputation and reach in the communities we serve. 

Qualifications:

• Must be based in the Denver market, with an ability to travel across the Colorado market to Guidelight's sites.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive leadership experience in a multi-site healthcare environment.
• Demonstrated success leading and developing high-performing teams, with a track record of building bench strength and driving engagement. 
• Strong operational acumen with experience scaling organizations, standardizing processes, and driving performance in high-growth settings. 
• Track record of driving growth, including census/access goals, referral development, and market expansion, while maintaining operational and clinical integrity. 
• Deep knowledge of behavioral health regulatory requirements, accreditation standards (JCAHO, CARF), and quality improvement principles. 
• Proficiency in data analysis and performance measurement, with a clear bias toward outcomes-driven, evidence-based decision-making. 
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage and align stakeholders at all levels of the organization. 
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with experience building culturally responsive and trauma-informed care environments. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Active clinical licensure in the state of Colorado (e.g., LPC, LCSW, LMFT, or equivalent). 
• Experience within behavioral health strongly preferred, with consideration given to broader healthcare backgrounds (e.g., outpatient, ambulatory, specialty care).

*Please do not contact our public clinical admissions line regarding this or any other job posting. For recruiting-related inquiries, please contact the Talent team at Talent@guidelighthealth.com

Guidelight is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are passionate about fostering an environment where everyone, irrespective of their race, gender, sexual orientation, or background, feels valued and included. 

We want to be a place where every employee has a voice and feels truly welcome, appreciated, free to be themselves, and empowered and enabled to do their best work. Our differences make us unique, and we actively support these differences and work to create communities of respect throughout our company. www.guidelighthealth.com  

Benefits & Perks 

At Guidelight, we value a work-life integration culture. This approach allows our teammates to focus on what matters most to them, while also caring for our clients and fellow teammates. We have found that this promotes a sustainable and successful culture, and we offer the following benefits to our teammates to demonstrate this commitment to each other.  

As a Guidelight teammate, working 32+ hours per week, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including: 

• Health & Wellness: Medical, dental, vision, HealthJoy unlimited therapy, UHC wellness program, HSA/FSA options, and pet insurance. 
• Time Off: Responsible PTO, in lieu of a traditional accrual-based policy, which allows full-time and part-time employees to take the time they need, when they need it, while ensuring continuity of care and team collaboration
• 401(k): With company match.
• Licensing: All licensing fees covered, including opportunities for cross-licensure when applicable. 
• Professional Development: Annual stipend for tuition reimbursement, ongoing education, or CEUs.
• Clinical Supervision & Growth: Pre-licensed clinicians receive structured clinical supervision toward licensure, and all clinicians benefit from best-in-class supervision grounded in our state-of-the-art PHP/IOP curriculum.