Associate Director, Strategic Partnerships

Weekly outpatient therapy isn't always enough, and a trip to the ER isn't the only answer. Patients and their families rely on Compass Health 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

Regional Market Intelligence Strategy

• 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
  • Market prioritization
• 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
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