Residential Program Director
Nexus Family Healing is looking to hire a Residential Program Director to join our team at our East Bethel, MN youth & teen psychiatric residential treatment facility!
For more than 50 years, Nexus has empowered thousands of children, families, and adults to find hope and healing. What started in 1972 as a single program in Minnetonka, Minnesota has grown into a nationally recognized network across five states. As a progressive leader in youth and family mental health, we’re driven by a clear mission: to close gaps in care and create brighter futures for those we serve.
At Nexus Family Healing, we embrace diversity, promote equity, and foster inclusion. As a national mental health organization, we serve a diverse group of youth and families, and we strive for our workforce to support and represent that diversity.
Pay and Schedule:
Full-time, salaried exempt position
On-site position: 900 189th Ave NE, East Bethel, MN55011
Starting salary range: $90k-100k annually
Nexus’ Comprehensive Benefits Include: Five weeks paid time off (PTO) in the first year of employment
Multiple options for health insurance coverage
No-cost life insurance
Short/long-term disability insurance
401k match
NEW: Talkspace Therapy Benefit for the whole family
NEW: Hinge Health Benefit for the whole family
NEW: Carrot Fertility Benefit
Tuition assistance and training opportunities
Advancement pathways and internal promotion
And much more!
Position Summary:
The Residential Program Director provides leadership, oversight, and operational management for a residential treatment program serving youth & teens. This position is responsible for ensuring a safe, therapeutic, and trauma-informed environment while maintaining compliance with licensing, regulatory, and organizational standards. They oversee daily program operations, staff development, risk management, quality improvement initiatives, and program effectiveness to support positive outcomes for our clients. Working collaboratively with clinical, operational, and support teams, the Residential Program Director drives continuous improvement and ensures the delivery of high-quality services
Primary responsibilities:
Lead daily residential program operations, ensuring a safe, structured, trauma-informed, and therapeutic environment for youth.
Provide leadership, supervision, coaching, and performance management for Program Supervisors and direct care staff.
Oversee program quality, risk management, safety practices, and regulatory compliance to support exceptional client care.
Develop and implement program improvements, policies, and operational strategies that enhance treatment effectiveness and service delivery.
Monitor daily programming, behavioral interventions, safety plans, and therapeutic activities to ensure alignment with client needs and treatment goals.
Support staff development through training, mentoring, and professional growth opportunities.
Ensure accurate, timely, and compliant documentation, reporting, and administrative processes.
Collaborate with clinical leadership on admissions, treatment planning, quality improvement initiatives, and program audits.
Maintain staffing levels, facility standards, and resources necessary to support program operations and client safety.
Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, continuous improvement, and excellence in residential car
Required Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in related field, or
In lieu of Bachelor's degree, a high school diploma or GED and a minimum of 5 years related experience
Minimum of 5 years of related experience in a youth/teen residential program or similar
Minimum of 2 years of supervisory experience
Must be 21 years of age or above
Valid driver’s license required. Must meet state regulating agency and Nexus Home Office driving requirements
Must successfully pass a (DHS/DCFS/CJIS/DHHS/ODHS or other) federal and state criminal background check
Must participate, complete, and successfully pass an agency-specific therapeutic intervention/restraint (TCI, HWC, NCI) training and exam
Must have strong written and verbal communication skills
Must have the ability to build strong relationships with diverse individuals or communities and understand their unique needs and challenges
Must be open to meeting the cultural needs of individuals or communities, considering factors such as language, tradition, and values
Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor's or Master's degree in a related field strongly preferred
At Nexus Family Healing, our voices and actions are focused on recognizing, affirming and respecting people of every race, ethnic background, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender expression and faith.
Our ICARE Values:
Innovation : Leading the way and implementing creative, cutting-edge ideas and approaches
Compassion : Listening, honoring differences, and showing respect, kindness, empathy care, and concern
Agility : Exhibiting flexibility and adapting quickly
Responsiveness : Being quick, positive, and accurate
Excellence : Demonstrating quality results that surpass ordinary standards
When you work at Nexus, you have the opportunity to change lives — including your own!
Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.
