Director, Behavioral Health - Utilization Management (Director III)

CalOptima

Join Us in this Amazing Opportunity

The Team You'll Join

We are a mission driven community-based organization that serves member health with excellence and dignity, respecting the value and needs of each person. If you are ready to advance your career while making a difference, we encourage you to review and apply today and help us build healthier communities for all.

More About the Opportunity

We are hoping you will join us as a Director, Behavioral Health - Utilization Management (Director III) and help shape the future of healthcare where you'll be an integral part of our BHI - BH Utilization Management team, helping to strive for excellence while we serve our member health with dignity, respecting the value and needs of each of our members through collaboration with our providers, community partners and local stakeholders. This position has been approved to be Full Telework.

• If telework is approved, you are required to work within the State of California only and if Partial Telework, also come in to the Main Office in Orange, CA, at least two (2) days per week minimum.

The Director for Behavioral Health (BH) Utilization Management (UM) will be responsible for the oversight, planning, organization, implementation and evaluation of all activities and personnel engaged in departmental operations. You will provide leadership and direction to ensure compliance with all local, state and federal regulations, ensure accreditation standards are current and all policies and procedures meet current requirements. You will have oversight of CalOptima Health's BH UM program for CalOptima Health Community Network, CalOptima Health Direct and the delegated health networks. You will serve as a liaison for various internal and external committees, workgroups and operational meetings. Together, we are building a stronger, more equitable health system.

Your Contributions To the Team:

• 50% - Leadership Functions

• Cultivates and promotes a mission-driven culture of high-quality performance, with a member focus on customer service, consistency, dignity and accountability.

• Directs and assists the team in carrying out department responsibilities and collaborates with the leadership team and staff to support short- and long-term goals/priorities for the department.

• Directs all aspects of clinical and administrative UM staff activities.

• Leads the BH staff responsible for UM workgroups and the UM committee.

• Tracks, analyzes and develops strategies to address outlier performance of utilization metrics and reports on administrative quality indicators pertaining to UM.

• Maintains inter-agency relationships, including California Children's Services (CCS), County Mental Health, etc.

• Develops departmental structure and lines of accountability, creates and revises job descriptions, interviews and hires new staff members, oversees training programs for all new and existing staff, and manages annual staff evaluations and satisfaction processes.

• Directs departmental annual budgetary process, including preparation and approval of operating and capital budgets per policy; monitors performance and initiates corrective action as necessary to prevent budget variance.

• Oversees on-call activities after hours to ensure coverage on weekends, holidays and extended timeframes when regular staff are not on duty or available.

• Maintains current knowledge of regulatory requirements pertinent to UM such as the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board (MRMIB) and Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC).

• Responds to providers or internal staff who have concerns within departmental standards.

• 45% - Program Oversight

• Coordinates utilization activities with Long Term Services and Support, Case Management, and Equity and Community Health to improve health outcomes, promote appropriate use of resources and align with organizational and/or departmental goals and objectives.

• Monitors and tracks services provided from the health plan service area and/or out of network.

• Collaborates with all departments within Medical Affairs and the health plan on the development of special projects/programs as required.

• Oversees CalOptima Health's BH utilization program, to include:

• Develops and maintains effective authorization review processes and evaluates and recommends improvements where indicated.

• Ensures department policies, procedures and workflows support staff in daily activities and meet regulatory, contractual and accreditation standards. Assists the Medical Directors, UM workgroup and subject to approval by the UM committee, in the development, evaluation and application of all utilization criteria used for clinical decision making.

• Collaborates with the UM Director, UM Medical Director and UM workgroup and subject to approval by the UM committee, maintains the UM program description, and prepares the yearly program evaluation and quarterly updates to the work plan.

• Develops and implements business plans to evaluate existing programs or to be used as a basis to determine if new programs are to be implemented.

• 5% - Other

• Completes other projects and duties as assigned.

Do You Have What the Role Requires?

• Bachelor's degree in nursing or related field PLUS 7 years of utilization management experience in a managed care environment with commercial, Medicare or Medicaid populations required; an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the position such as those listed above may also be qualifying.

• 5 years of progressive leadership experience, including direct supervision of staff required.

• Have access to means of transportation for work away from the primary office approximately 10% of the time required.

You'll Stand Out More If You Possess the Following:

• Master's degree in social work, psychology or related field.

• Behavioral Health Utilization Management experience.

• Supervisory experience over a Behavioral Health Utilization Management team.

• Experience launching Covered California at a managed care plan.

What the Regulatory Agencies Need You to Possess?

• Current California unrestricted license such as RN, LCSW, LPCC or LMFT or licensed psychologist (PhD or PsyD).

Your Knowledge & Abilities to Bring to this Role:

• Develop rapport and establish and maintain effective working relationships with CalOptima Health's leadership and staff and external contacts at all levels and with diverse backgrounds.

• Work independently and exercise sound judgment.

• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

• Work a flexible schedule; available to participate in evening and weekend events.

• Organize, be analytical, problem-solve and possess project management skills.

• Work in a fast-paced environment and in an efficient manner.

• Manage multiple projects and identify opportunities for internal and external collaboration.

• Motivate and lead multi-program teams and external committees/coalitions.

• Utilize computer and appropriate software (e.g., Microsoft Office: Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint) and job specific applications/systems to produce correspondence, charts, spreadsheets, and/or other information applicable to the position assignment.

Your Physical Requirements (With or Without Accommodations):

• Ability to visually read information from computer screens, forms and other printed materials and information.

• Ability to speak (enunciate) clearly in conversation and general communication.

• Hearing ability for verbal communication/conversation/responses via telephone, telephone systems, and face-to-face interactions.

• Manual dexterity for typing, writing, standing and reaching, flexibility, body movement for bending, crouching, walking, kneeling and prolonged sitting.

• Lifting and moving objects, patients and/or equipment 10 to 25 pounds

Ways We Are Here For You

• You'll enjoy competitive compensation for this role.

• Our current hiring range is: Pay Grade: 322 - $192,386 - $307,817 ($92.49 - $147.9891).

• The final salary offered will be based on education, job-related knowledge and experience, skills relevant to the role and internal equity among other factors.

• This position is approved for Full Telework (**If the position is Telework, it is eligible in California only**)

• A https://www.caloptima.org/en/careers#benefits

• CalPERS pension program and additional retirement packages.

• Additional benefits and perks including:

• A generous PTO program

• A quality work life balance

• Various wellness programs

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Professional development opportunities

• Career development opportunities

• Flexible scheduling

• And the satisfaction of knowing your work directly impacts and improves healthcare access for thousands of individuals and families.

Our Work Environment:

If located at the 500, 505 Building or a remote work location:

• Work is typically indoors and sedentary and is subject to schedule changes and/or variable work hours, with travel as needed.

• There are no harmful environmental conditions present for this job.

• The noise level in this work environment is usually moderate.

If located at PACE:

• Work is typically indoors in a clinical setting serving the frail and elderly.

• There may be harmful or hazardous environmental conditions present for this job.

• The noise level in this work environment is usually moderate to loud.

If located in the Community:

• Work is typically indoors and sedentary and is subject to schedule changes and/or variable work hours, with travel as needed.

• Employee will occasionally work outdoors in varied temperatures.

• There may be harmful or hazardous environmental conditions present for this job.

• The noise level in this work environment is usually moderate to loud.

Why Join Us?

We believe that diverse perspectives drive innovation. Each employee brings a unique perspective to the overall team and we value everyone's input and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment where you and every team member can thrive while making a meaningful impacts on our community members. Our team reflects and represents the communities we serve, and we welcome candidates from all backgrounds who share our commitment to accessible, quality healthcare.

What's Your Next Step?

All Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. Do NOT miss out. If you want to join our team, the deadline for the first review of applications is March 2, 2026 at 9:00 PM (PST). We are encouraging you to apply early. If you apply after the first review date, your application is not guaranteed to be considered for this recruitment. This recruitment may close at any time without notice after the first review date.

Our Commitment to You

Your application and resume will be reviewed by a dedicated recruiter to this position. If your experience matches what we need, we will reach out to you to discuss the next steps. The selection process may include, but is not limited to, a skills assessment, phone screen and interview.

If you make it through the steps above and are selected for this exciting role, you will be required to undergo a reference and a background check (to include a conviction record) and if applicable also pass a drug screening and/or a post-offer pre-employment medical examination (for specific positions) If you are an Internal CalOptima Health applicant, please apply through the internal portal on InfoNet.

We will make sure to keep you updated through each step of the process on your candidate portal. Please make sure to watch for updates on your candidate portal and you emails which will be sent to the email address you listed on your application. Please check your email, including your SPAM folder, regularly throughout the recruitment process.

CalOptima Health is committed to attracting, hiring, and retaining a diverse staff, where we will honor your unique experiences, identity, and perspectives. Our organization strives to create and maintain a workplace environment that is inclusive, equitable and welcoming so we can truly be Better Together.

CalOptima Health is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions on the basis of merit. CalOptima Health wants to have qualified employees in every job position. CalOptima Health prohibits unlawful discrimination against any employee, or applicant for employment, based on race, religion/religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, sex stereotype, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transitioning status, age, sexual orientation, immigration status, military status as a disabled veteran, or veteran of the Vietnam era, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. CalOptima Health also prohibits unlawful discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has, or is perceived as having, any of those characteristics.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation at (714) 246-8400 if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site as a result of your disability.

To apply, please visit: https://apptrkr.com/6940452

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