Job ID: 51125
Location: Columbia, South Carolina
Employment Type: Direct Hire
Last Updated: 10 days ago
Effective April 28, 2025, Governor McMaster signed a state law that established the South Carolina Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. This new cabinet agency comprises the Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (formerly the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs), the Office of Mental Health (formerly the Department of Mental Health) and the Office of Substance Use Services (formerly the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services).
As the state’s behavioral health and developmental disabilities agency, the department provides services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental health conditions and substance use disorders through a holistic, streamlined and coordinated approach.
ABOUT THE AGENCY DIRECTOR POSITION
The SCDBHDD is a cabinet agency. The Director reports to the Governor, serves at the will and pleasure of the Governor, and is considered at-will in accordance with Sections 1-30-10 and 8-17-320 of the SC Code of Laws.
The Director sets the visionary strategic direction and leads the seamless operation of an integrated care system delivering inpatient, residential, outpatient, crisis, and substance use services to South Carolina’s citizens in need of urgent and ongoing behavioral, emotional, and physical health care.
Overseeing a robust network—including 16 community mental health centers with affiliated clinics, three psychiatric hospitals, five state-operated regional centers, 74 local substance use treatment partners, and a workforce of over 2,000 clinicians within a total of approximately 6,700 FTEs—the Director drives organizational excellence and system-wide coordination.
The Director crafts and executes comprehensive enterprise-wide strategic, operational, and administrative plans that align with federal and state mandates. By championing data-driven decision-making, the Director empowers executive leaders to develop action plans that advance cohesive, measurable outcomes supporting the Department’s mission and long-term vision.
To view the full position profile, please visit: BHDD Agency Director Profile
Direct Reports: 3
Total Full Time Employee: 6700
Agency Budget: $1.1B
The new Director will face the distinctive challenge of shaping and implementing foundational structures, policies, processes, and procedures for a newly established state agency. A deep understanding of the unique needs across the three divisions—combined with the ability to identify opportunities to streamline operations and drive efficiencies—will be critical. This role demands skillful navigation of competing priorities and interests among diverse stakeholders statewide, all while ensuring the agency steadfastly meets legislative and statutory mandates.
AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Leadership and Administration
Lead a high-performing team by fostering a collaborative, innovative, and mission-driven work environment. Inspire and empower staff to achieve critical objectives through a culture of engagement, accountability, and continuous learning. Oversee the strategic and operational alignment of three key offices: (1) Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities; (2) Mental Health; and (3) Substance Use Services—ensuring cohesive service delivery and system-wide coordination.
- Lead with integrity, credibility, and transparency—building trust through accountable and results-driven management. Strategically allocate staff resources to optimize performance and advance the Department’s mission, goals, and objectives. Foster a culture of accountability, where staff are empowered and responsible for setting and achieving measurable outcomes.
- Ensure leadership continuity through a clear and proactive succession plan for key roles.
- Develop and implement policies and procedures that align with applicable laws and regulations, reinforcing compliance and operational excellence.
- Champion staff growth by ensuring access to meaningful training and professional development opportunities that build capacity and strengthen performance.
- Serve as a key representative of the Department at legislative hearings before the General Assembly, advocating for priorities and providing subject matter expertise.
- Lead the development, initiation, and oversight of regulatory policies to ensure alignment with the Department’s mission and legislative mandates.
Forge and strengthen strategic partnerships with providers, healthcare organizations, advisory groups, the General Assembly, legislative staff, and local, state, and federal agencies to advance behavioral health and developmental disabilities programs. Lead targeted outreach and health literacy initiatives designed to expand access to care, reduce avoidable emergency room visits for non-urgent needs, and improve long-term health outcomes for citizens. Champion interagency collaboration by requiring robust, compliant data sharing across component offices and relevant state agencies to drive informed decision-making. Promote seamless coordination of customer service and resource navigation to ensure individuals and families receive timely, equitable support across all program areas.
- Invest in and implement collaborative technology solutions that enhance coordination, accountability, and continuity of care across the Department and with local partners.
- Establish and routinely update policies and procedures to ensure citizens receive timely, accurate assistance related to behavioral health and developmental disabilities services.
- Expand and improve access to high-quality, well-funded programs that meet the evolving needs of individuals and families served by the agency.
- Strengthen collaboration with federal and state agencies, as well as local community partners, to ensure coordinated use of available resources—particularly in addressing quality-of-life issues unique to South Carolina.
- Monitor, evaluate, and report on statewide efforts to increase access to essential services and supports for individuals with behavioral health and developmental disabilities.
Provide strategic leadership over the Department’s fiscal policy and budget, ensuring responsible stewardship of resources. Develop and manage an integrated budget that aligns with the Department’s mission and priorities, supports the objectives of its comprehensive service plan, and reflects the needs of its component offices.
- Provide strategic oversight of the Department’s financial planning and budget management, ensuring long-term fiscal sustainability and alignment with agency priorities.
- Lead efforts to anticipate future budgetary needs, direct policy development to maintain spending within appropriations, and assess the financial impact of changes in service coverage across all program areas.
- Ensure full compliance with state procurement laws, regulations, and policies through sound fiscal governance and risk management. Represent the Department at legislative budget hearings and other proceedings before the General Assembly, advocating for resources and policy alignment.
- Lead the resolution of legal claims and proceedings involving the Department or its employees acting within the scope of their duties, ensuring risk is managed effectively and in the public interest.
- Direct the administration of programs and lead efforts to secure additional federal funding. Collaborate with partners to influence policy, share data, and enhance cross-agency coordination.
- Develop policies and procedures for the application and acceptance of funds, grants, gifts and from the State, United States Government, or other public or privates sources.
- Require collaboration and coordination between component offices to ensure services are delivered in a cost effective manner either by the Department or another managed provider.
Provide strategic leadership in the integration and streamlining of administrative services across the Department’s component offices to drive efficiency, consistency, and accountability. Establish unified procedures for core financial operations, in collaboration with finance leaders, to support data-driven decision-making and fiscal integrity. Oversee the delivery of centralized human resources support, ensuring accurate transaction and payroll processing, compliance reporting, and effective workforce training. Lead budget coordination efforts by standardizing transaction workflows and reporting processes to enhance transparency and alignment with departmental priorities. Direct the strategic use of information technology across the Department, ensuring compliance with statewide IT policies, plans, and directives issued by the Department of Administration.
- Strategically build and deploy a high-performing workforce aligned with the Department’s mission and operational priorities.
- Establish partnerships and execute contracts with public agencies, institutions of higher education, and private entities that advance the Department’s objectives and enhance its capacity to deliver on core responsibilities.
Provide visionary leadership in shaping and managing policies that enhance South Carolina citizens’ access to and quality of behavioral health and developmental disabilities services. Champion integrated, cross-office coordination to drive service efficiencies and deliver a seamless, impactful experience for those served.
- Provide visionary leadership in the development, direction, and governance of Department programs and services, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and community needs.
- Drive rigorous interpretation, implementation, and enforcement of regulations across statewide programs to maintain compliance and uphold excellence in service delivery.
- Leverage data-driven insights on service utilization and trends to proactively refine policies and optimize program effectiveness.
- Promote efficient, cost-effective health service delivery through strengthened oversight, targeted training, and robust quality assurance, ensuring all programs operate within federal and state legal frameworks.
- Ensure the delivery of a seamlessly integrated, statewide system of care that is accessible and responsive to adults and children requiring treatment for mental illness and serious emotional disorders—encompassing crisis intervention, outpatient care, residential support, and hospital services.
- Provide strategic oversight of long-term care services, including nursing homes, and the delivery of court-ordered forensic evaluations and treatments for individuals involved in the criminal and juvenile justice systems.
- Lead the management and advancement of the State’s hospital dedicated to adults battling substance use disorders, driving outcomes-focused care and recovery.
- Direct the State’s Sexually Violent Predator Treatment Program with a focus on effective management, safety, and rehabilitation.
- Strategically oversee the stewardship of federal, state, and additional funding allocated to the Single State Agency (SSA) responsible for the comprehensive publicly funded substance use prevention, identification, intervention, treatment, and recovery support system.
- Drive the effective execution and accountability of subgrants and contracts supporting essential, publicly accessible substance use programs and services.
- Champion the implementation of evidence-based, safe, and high-quality programs that deliver measurable impact.
- Ensure robust collection, management, and analysis of performance and outcome data to clearly demonstrate the positive effects of services on reducing substance use, improving employment outcomes, decreasing criminal justice involvement, and enhancing community well-being.
- Implement rigorous contract monitoring through corrective action plans, on-site evaluations, desk audits, and targeted technical assistance to safeguard program integrity and optimize results.
- Provide visionary leadership in managing programs that empower individuals with disabilities and their families to meet their needs, unlock opportunities, and achieve meaningful life goals, while proactively minimizing the incidence and impact of disabilities through targeted prevention efforts.
- Oversee the strategic administration of Intermediate Care Facilities (ICF) and Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) programs—including the Community Supports (CS) Waiver, Intellectual Disability and Related Disabilities (ID/RD) Waiver, and Head and Spinal Cord Injury (HASCI) Waiver—to ensure sustainable, high-quality care.
- Drive the implementation of person-centered, community-integrated policies and practices that prioritize responsiveness, operational efficiency, and accountability, delivering strength-based, outcome-focused services that enhance quality of life and foster independence.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience
- A master’s degree from an accredited higher education institution (recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation) in public administration, public health, social sciences, or related field
- Ten (10) or more years of progressively responsible experience in the administration of one or more health delivery systems or similarly complex organizations.
- Critical Thinking & Analytical Acumen: Demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate complex issues and interpret multifaceted data sets, transforming insights into practical, sustainable solutions that drive organizational success.
- Adaptability & Innovation Leadership: Embraces change with agility and proactively fosters a culture of innovation, continuously seeking new approaches to improve systems, processes, and outcomes in a dynamic environment.
- Collaborative Connector: Skilled at bridging diverse groups and interests, building consensus, and uniting stakeholders around shared goals to enhance cooperation and collective impact.
- Advanced Communication: Possesses strong written and verbal communication skills, with the capability to navigate complex and sensitive conversations thoughtfully and diplomatically among diverse internal and external stakeholders.
- Sound Judgment & Discretion: Exercises keen judgment and maintains confidentiality and professionalism, especially when addressing sensitive matters or navigating high-stakes decisions.
- Visionary Leadership & Flexibility: Committed to leading a newly established organization with strategic vision and the flexibility to engage and inspire a team through transitions, adapting to new systems, partnerships, and protocols while maintaining focus on mission-driven outcomes.
COMPENSATION
The minimum salary that will be offered is $236,005 with the full range of going up to a maximum of $365,853. A salary greater than the minimum must be approved by the Agency Head Salary Commission; candidates should feel comfortable accepting the minimum salary before pursuing the position.
TO APPLY
The deadline to apply is November 23rd. FGP will evaluate applications on an ongoing basis during the application period with final review of applications being conducted the weeks of November 24th and December 1st. Interviews with the Search Committee will begin shortly thereafter and will continue until the position is filled. A selection is anticipated before the end of the year.
Questions may be directed to Christin Mack with Find Great People, LLC at cm***@*gp.com.
CONFIDENTIALITY AND FOIA REQUIREMENTS
South Carolina FOIA laws require the release of the finalist’s names (at least three finalists) should the agency receive a FOIA request. Confidential interest will be possible early in the process; however, candidates should be aware of the FOIA requirements as the process moves towards finalist selection.
