Director of the Woods Center for Wellbeing in Rochester, New York at Mental Health Association of Rochester/Monroe County

Director of the Woods Center for Wellbeing

Compensation: $32–$35 per hour
Schedule: 35 hours per week | On-site position

Position overview:

The Mental Health Association is seeking a dynamic, compassionate, and collaborative Director of the Woods Center for Wellbeing; to lead and oversee a comprehensive, peer-centered wellness program. The Director will provide leadership and supervision across a multidisciplinary team delivering drop-in center services, life skills programming, and creative wellness activities that promote recovery, connection, personal growth, and community integration.

The ideal candidate brings a strong understanding of mental health recovery and peer support, experience responding to mental health crises, and the leadership skills necessary to support, develop, and inspire a diverse team. A commitment to person-centered, trauma-informed, and recovery-oriented services is essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Program Leadership: Oversee the daily operations, development, and delivery of Woods Center programs, ensuring accessible, engaging, and high-quality services that respond to the needs of the community.
• Team Leadership & Supervision: Lead, supervise, mentor, and support a multidisciplinary team across drop-in services, life skills, and creative wellness programming. Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive work environment.
• Crisis Management: Provide leadership and guidance in responding to mental health crises, supporting staff in navigating challenging situations and ensuring appropriate connections to community resources and crisis services.
• Peer Support & Recovery: Promote peer values, lived-experience leadership, self-determination, empowerment, and recovery-oriented practices throughout all program activities.
• Community Partnerships: Develop and maintain relationships with community organizations, service providers, and other partners to strengthen referrals and expand opportunities for individuals accessing the Center.
• Quality & Compliance: Monitor program outcomes, maintain accurate documentation, ensure compliance with agency and funding requirements, and lead continuous quality improvement efforts.
• Administrative Oversight: Participate in budget development, monitor program expenditures, oversee reporting requirements, and collaborate with agency leadership to support organizational goals.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in human services or related field preferred.
• NYS Peer Specialist Certification preferred.
• Minimum of two years of experience working in a public social service or human services setting, including program administration.
• Demonstrated experience in mental health crisis management and de-escalation.
• Previous supervisory experience, including the ability to lead, mentor, and develop staff.
• Experience leading or coordinating multidisciplinary teams and diverse programming.
• Strong understanding of peer support principles, mental health recovery, trauma-informed care, and community-based services.
• Excellent communication, organizational, problem-solving, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively while managing multiple priorities and program responsibilities.
• Valid driver's license, clean driving record, and reliable transportation required.