Mediabistro logo
job logo

Associate Director, Strategic Partnerships

Compass Health Center, Silver Spring, MD, United States


Associate Director, Strategic Partnerships Silver Spring, Maryland, United States

Weekly outpatient therapy isn't always enough, and a trip to the ER isn't the only answer. Patients and their families rely on CompassHealth Center when in crisis – every day, we help people overcome depression, anxiety, suicidality, obsessions/compulsions, trauma, chronic pain, and other obstacles in order for our patients to live freely.

About This Role Compass Health Center is a leading provider of Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP), delivering immediate access to evidence-based mental health care for children, adolescents, young adults, and adults. With established operations in Illinois and expanding programs across Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, Compass bridges the critical gap between outpatient and inpatient care—diverting patients from emergency departments and inpatient hospitalization while achieving measurable clinical outcomes.

As Compass expands in the Mid-Atlantic, we are building a high-performing

Strategic Partnerships engine —one that is accountable, market-specific, data-driven, and deeply centered on the patient and referrer experience. The DMV represents a priority growth region with dense provider networks, complex payer environments, and increasing demand for both in-person and virtual levels of care.

The

Associate Director of Strategic Partnerships – DMV

is a clinically informed, relationship-driven business development leader responsible for driving referral growth, building durable partnerships, and expanding Compass’s footprint across the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Northern Virginia.

This role blends

clinical fluency, consultative sales, and regional market strategy . It is not a traditional community liaison role—it is a

performance-based partnership sales position , accountable for referral volume, admissions growth, partner satisfaction, and long-term referral behavior across a complex, multi-jurisdictional healthcare market.

The Associate Director will also play a key role in advancing

virtual and hybrid programming , positioning Compass as a flexible, accessible partner for providers navigating capacity constraints, geographic barriers, and evolving patient needs.

Location : Hybrid - DC/MD/VA

What You'll Do: Business Development & Account Management (DMV Focus)

Own and grow a portfolio of High-Value Target (HVT) accounts across the DMV, including:

Hospital systems and EDs

Academic medical centers

Large outpatient and group practices

School districts and university counseling centers

Employer and EAP partners

Develop and execute territory-specific account plans informed by:

Local admissions trends

State-specific access and payer dynamics

Referral friction points unique to DC, Maryland, and Virginia

Build trusted relationships with psychiatrists, therapists, case managers, discharge planners, school counselors, PCPs, and emergency department staff

Translate relationships into measurable qualified referrals, admissions, and pipeline growth

Partner closely with Admissions to ensure:

Warm handoffs

Clear admission criteria alignment

Rapid resolution of referral and access barriers

Serve as the

eyes and ears of the DMV market , monitoring:

Competitive dynamics across in-person and virtual providers

State-specific regulatory and referral nuances

Capacity gaps and unmet clinical needs

Track referral behavior, volume, and feedback using

HubSpot CRM and Sigmund Aura

Identify trends and translate insights into

strategic recommendations

for:

Program development

Access improvements

Provide regular market intelligence to senior leadership to inform regional growth strategy

Virtual & Hybrid Programming Growth

Position Compass’s virtual and hybrid PHP/IOP offerings as a strategic solution for:

Referrers with long waitlists or geographic barriers

Patients requiring continuity of care across state lines (where clinically appropriate)

School-based and employer partners seeking flexible access models

Educate referral partners on:

Clinical appropriateness of virtual and hybrid care

Admission criteria and patient selection

Outcomes and engagement expectations

Collaborate with clinical and operations leaders to identify:

Opportunities to expand virtual programming reach in the DMV

Referral workflows that integrate seamlessly with virtual care pathways

Support virtual CE events, webinars, and digital partner education initiatives

Clinically Informed Messaging & Credibility

Maintain a strong working knowledge of:

Compass treatment models (PHP, IOP, TMS, specialty programming)

Admission criteria and payer considerations

Clinical outcomes and differentiators

Confidently articulate Compass’s value proposition to:

Hospital leadership

Senior clinicians

Administrative and operational decision makers

Leverage clinical background to:

Build credibility and trust

Translate program offerings into real-world referral solutions

Ensure alignment between referring providers and Compass clinical teams

Growth Campaigns & Strategic Initiatives

Execute DMV-specific growth campaigns tied to:

New program launches

Access expansion

Payer alignment

Seasonal surges (e.g., back-to-school, winter acuity increases)

Partner with Marketing on:

Co-branded outreach

CE programs and partner webinars

Digital and virtual engagement strategies

Support regional initiatives such as:

Concierge referral pathways

Expedited admissions processes

CompassForward discharge and step-down strategies

External Visibility & Community Presence

Represent Compass across the DMV at:

Professional associations

Behavioral health coalitions

Hospital and provider roundtables

Facilitate connections between Compass clinical leaders and:

Speaking engagements

Panel discussions

Educational sessions

Manage a strategic calendar of

in-person and virtual engagements

aligned with pipeline and growth goals

Who You Are:

Clinical license or license-eligible preferred

2+ years of clinical experience in mental health; PHP/IOP or higher levels of care strongly preferred

Demonstrated business development or partnership experience; healthcare sales or account management a plus

Strong understanding of multi-market or multi-state healthcare environments preferred

Proven ability to build trust with senior clinical and executive stakeholders

Excellent communication and presentation skills

Data-driven and tech-savvy; experience with CRM systems and performance dashboards

Entrepreneurial mindset with strong accountability and growth orientation

Success In This Role Means:

Driving consistent, qualified referral and admission growth across the DMV

Building sticky, high-trust partnerships that sustain long-term funnel strength

Effectively integrating virtual and hybrid programming into referral strategies

Acting as a connector, strategist, and advocate—not just a representative

Helping Compass become the provider of choice for PHP/IOP care in the Mid-Atlantic

We are committed to a fair and equitable work environment.

Compensation $95,000 - $115,000 USD

What’s Next?

Compass is committed to cultivating diverse and dynamic teams who exude passion for their craft, so whether or not you check all the boxes, we encourage you to apply – we’d be grateful to hear from you!

Benefits:

Comprehensive medical/dental/vision plans

401k program with company matching

Generous PTO, including competitive parental leave after 1 year of employment

Continuous training through CEU seminars and volunteering opportunities

As set forth in Compass Health Center’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

#J-18808-Ljbffr