Director of Clinical Operations

Job Description

Job DescriptionDescriptionWe are seeking an experienced Director of Clinical Operations to join Applebury Behavior Associates. The Director of Clinical Operations is responsible for overseeing clinical quality, regulatory compliance, operational performance, and service delivery across all Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) service lines, including center-based, in-home, community, and school-based programs.
In this role, you will be responsible for ensuring the organization meets MassHealth’s ABA accreditation requirements, including successful accreditation of center-based services and all other ABA service lines through the nationally recognized accrediting body BHCOE.
As the Director of Clinical Operations, you will serve as the executive owner of clinical systems, quality assurance, and accreditation readiness, partnering closely with executive leadership to ensure the organization remains compliant, high-performing, and positioned for sustainable growth.

Key ResponsibilitiesClinical Quality & Service Delivery Oversight

• Provide executive oversight of clinical operations across all ABA programs and locations.
• Ensure the operational compliance of consistent application of evidence-based ABA practices and clinical standards.
• Oversee the operational compliance of treatment planning, supervision models, clinical documentation, and service integrity.
• Conduct regular site visits to assess the operational compliance of clinical quality, safety, and operational readiness.

MassHealth Accreditation Leadership

• Serve as the organizational lead for ABA accreditation compliance under MassHealth requirements.
• Develop and execute a multi-year accreditation readiness plan aligned with state deadlines.
• Lead gap analyses, internal audits, and corrective action plans to meet accreditation standards.
• Ensure alignment with accreditation domains including:
  • Clinical quality and outcomes
  • Individualized treatment planning
  • Caregiver involvement and training
  • Staff supervision, training, and competency
  • Safety, ethics, and risk management
• Coordinate accreditation surveys, documentation submission, and ongoing compliance monitoring.

Compliance, Risk & Regulatory Oversight

• Ensure compliance with MassHealth, payer contracts, state regulations, and accreditation standards.
• Oversee clinical incident response, risk mitigation, and corrective action processes.
• Serve as the primary clinical operations contact during audits, reviews, or payer inquiries.
• Monitor changes in state and payer requirements impacting ABA service delivery.

Leadership & Clinical Workforce Management

• Supervise and support Clinic Directors, Clinical Managers, and senior clinical leaders.
• Ensure appropriate supervision ratios, training, and competency standards for BCBAs, ABTs, and BTs.
• Partner with HR on recruitment, onboarding, performance evaluation, corrective action, and retention strategies.
• Promote a culture of accountability, ethics, and continuous quality improvement.

Performance & Financial Alignment

• Monitor key clinical and operational KPIs including utilization, attendance, cancellations, productivity, and service capacity.
• Partner with executive leadership to align clinical operations with budgetary and revenue goals.
• Identify inefficiencies or risks that could jeopardize accreditation, payer contracts, or financial sustainability.

Strategy, Reporting & Executive Collaboration

• Serve as a senior advisor to executive leadership on clinical operations, accreditation strategy, and risk management.
• Prepare and present clinical performance, compliance, and accreditation readiness reports.
• Participate in organizational planning, policy development, and growth initiatives.

Growth & Program Development

• Lead clinical growth strategy in partnership with executive leadership.
• Identify opportunities to:
• Increase clinic utilization and census
• Expand service hours or days
• Launch new programs (after-school, group-based, parent training, school partnerships)
• Grow in-home, school, and community-based service capacity
• Ensure all growth initiatives are clinically sound, compliant, and operationally viable.
• Oversee clinical readiness for new sites, programs, or contracts, including staffing models, supervision plans, and quality controls.
• Evaluate service demand trends and translate them into scalable program development.

Education & ExperienceRequired

• Master’s degree or higher in ABA, psychology, education, healthcare administration, or related field.
• 7–10+ years of senior clinical leadership experience in ABA, schools, residential programs, or behavioral health.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing multi-site clinical programs.
• Strong knowledge of ABA clinical standards, supervision requirements, and quality assurance.
• Experience managing compliance, audits, or regulatory oversight in healthcare settings.

Preferred

• BCBA or licensed behavioral health clinician.
• Direct experience with BHCOE, ABAI, or comparable healthcare accreditation processes.
• Experience preparing organizations for external audits or accreditation surveys.
• Familiarity with MassHealth or Medicaid-funded ABA services.
• Experience in ABA, behavioral health, or healthcare settings.
• Experience in public-sector administration (e.g., district-level or superintendent/assistant superintendent roles).
• Familiarity with healthcare or practice management systems (e.g., CentralReach, EMRs).
• Experience supporting service expansion or new program launches.