Project Director of Quality – Specialty Division

Champion Quality. Strengthen Safety. Advance Excellence Across Behavioral Health.

Acadia Healthcare’s Specialty Division is seeking a Project Director of Quality (PDQ) — a mission-driven, highly skilled healthcare leader dedicated to advancing patient safety and regulatory excellence across our national network of specialty treatment centers.

This vital role supports Acadia’s facilities focused on substance use disorder, eating disorder, and complex mental health treatment, ensuring that each site operates with an unwavering commitment to quality, compliance, and clinical integrity. The PDQ will serve as a trusted partner to facility and division leadership, often providing on-site interim Quality leadership during vacancies, transitions, or periods of heightened regulatory activity.

A Rewarding Leadership Opportunity:

Acadia offers a highly competitive compensation package, including base salary, annual performance bonus, and equity eligibility, along with a comprehensive benefits suite and travel support.
This is an ideal opportunity for an accomplished clinical quality professional seeking both career growth and national impact within one of the country’s leading behavioral healthcare organizations.

Why This Role Matters:

At Acadia Healthcare, we are united by one purpose — to deliver hope and healing through exceptional care. The Project Director of Quality plays a central role in realizing that mission across the Specialty Division, ensuring that each facility consistently meets and exceeds standards of regulatory compliance, accreditation, and performance improvement.

You’ll be the driving force behind continuous readiness, leading initiatives that safeguard patient safety, elevate outcomes, and reinforce fidelity to Acadia’s evidence-based treatment programs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as the on-site Director of Quality for Specialty Division facilities as needed, overseeing all aspects of regulatory readiness, accreditation, and patient safety.
• Lead and strengthen Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) programs, using data to drive measurable improvements in outcomes and care consistency.
• Partner with facility and division leadership to ensure compliance with Joint Commission, CARF, CMS, and state regulatory requirements.
• Conduct proactive audits, rounding, and assessments to identify risk and support zero-deficiency survey outcomes.
• Provide education, coaching, and mentoring to facility leadership and staff to build sustainable internal quality systems.
• Support regulatory engagement and the development and submission of Plans of Correction as required.
• Lead and facilitate Root Cause Analyses, safety rounding, and implementation of corrective actions.
• Collaborate across Acadia’s Specialty Division to share best practices and promote a culture of accountability and excellence.
• Travel extensively (up to 80%) to provide direct, hands-on support at facilities across the U.S.

You are a seasoned healthcare quality leader who thrives in behavioral health settings — particularly those focused on substance use, eating disorders, and mental health care. You bring both the technical expertise and emotional intelligence required to lead through influence, not just authority.

• Registered Nurse (RN) with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required
• Master’s degree (MSN, MHA, MPH, or related field) strongly preferred
• Proven leadership in regulatory readiness, quality improvement, and accreditation management within behavioral healthcare
• Deep knowledge of Joint Commission and/or CARF standards, CMS Conditions of Participation, and state licensing regulations
• Demonstrated success developing and executing Quality programs that improve safety, outcomes, and compliance
• Exceptional communication, analytical, and leadership skills
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 80% to facilities nationwide

Join Us

This is more than a traveling leadership role — it’s a chance to shape the culture of quality across Acadia’s Specialty Division, influencing care that is safe, effective, and transformative.

Be the standard-bearer for quality. Be the difference for those we serve.
Join Acadia Healthcare and help define the next standard of excellence in behavioral health.

AHCORP

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