Description
The Mt. Hope Family Center is seeking an accomplished clinical leader who can integrate clinical excellence, research collaboration, organizational leadership, and business strategy to help guide one of the country's premier child trauma resource centers through its next phase of growth.
As Clinical Director, you will join the Center's senior leadership team and play a pivotal role in advancing its mission of improving outcomes for children and families impacted by trauma, adversity, and child maltreatment. This is a unique opportunity to lead a nationally recognized clinical enterprise while helping shape its future through innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, community partnership, and sustainable program development.
If you are passionate about advancing trauma-informed care, mentoring the next generation of clinicians, partnering with researchers, and driving meaningful organizational impact, we invite you to consider this unique leadership opportunity.
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About Mt. Hope Family Center
For more than 45 years, the Mt. Hope Family Center has been a national leader in the prevention, intervention, and treatment of child maltreatment and childhood adversity. As the birthplace of Developmental Psychopathology under the leadership of Dr. Dante Cicchetti, the Center is one of only three NIH-funded National Centers of Excellence in child maltreatment research and training and a longstanding member of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN).
Mt. Hope's impact extends well beyond Rochester. Through its integration of clinical care, groundbreaking research, workforce development, and community partnership, the Center has helped shape best practices in trauma-informed care and continues to influence the field nationally and internationally.
As part of the University of Rochester's School of Arts & Sciences, Mt. Hope Family Center combines research, education, and clinical practice to improve the lives of children and families while advancing the science of developmental psychopathology and trauma-informed care.
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The Role
The Clinical Director serves as a member of Mt. Hope Family Center's senior leadership team and provides strategic and operational leadership for the Center's prevention, intervention, and mental health services for children and families impacted by adversity and trauma.
This is a highly collaborative leadership role that sits at the intersection of clinical care, research, education, and organizational leadership. The successful candidate will oversee the Center's clinical operations while partnering closely with faculty researchers, community organizations, healthcare providers, and funding partners to advance the Center's mission and
long-term sustainability.
The Clinical Director also holds a faculty appointment within the Department of Psychology at the University of Rochester. Unlike a traditional academic faculty position, this role is centered on leadership of clinical services, interdisciplinary collaboration, workforce development, and organizational impact.
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What You'll Lead
Strategic Leadership
Provide strategic and operational leadership for Mt. Hope Family Center's clinical programs and services.
Partner with senior leadership to advance the Center's long-term vision, organizational priorities, and program sustainability.
Support the continued evolution of innovative clinical service delivery models while maintaining the highest standards of care.
Clinical Excellence
Ensure the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based, trauma-informed services for children and families.
Supervise, mentor, and develop multidisciplinary clinical staff through reflective supervision, consultation, and professional development.
Foster a culture of collaboration, continuous learning, and clinical excellence.
Research & Academic Collaboration
Collaborate with research faculty to integrate clinical services with research, implementation, and program evaluation.
Support the training and mentorship of graduate students, interns, fellows, and early career professionals.
Contribute to scholarly dissemination and translation of research into clinical practice.
Community Partnerships & Program Development
Strengthen partnerships with healthcare systems, child welfare agencies, schools, and community organizations.
Contribute to grant development, program evaluation, and externally funded initiatives that advance the Center's mission.
Represent Mt. Hope Family Center through collaborative partnerships and professional engagement at the local, state, and national levels.
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Requirements
The Ideal Candidate
We're seeking an experienced clinical leader with a demonstrated ability to build high performing teams, foster collaboration across disciplines, and advance innovative, evidence based care for children and families.
Required Qualifications
Doctoral degree (PhD, PsyD, DSW, MD, or equivalent) in psychology, social work, psychiatry, counseling, or a related discipline.
Independent clinical licensure in New York State (or eligibility for licensure).
5+ years of progressive leadership experience in behavioral health, child welfare, child maltreatment prevention, or family-focused services.
Demonstrated expertise in trauma-informed, evidence-based interventions for children and families.
Experience leading multidisciplinary clinical teams and providing reflective supervision.
Experience working in an academic, research, or university-affiliated environment.
Demonstrated success contributing to grant-funded programs, program development, or organizational sustainability.
Strong leadership, communication, relationship-building, and organizational management skills.
Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive practice.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in child maltreatment prevention, early childhood, parent-child interventions, or trauma-focused services.
Record of scholarly contributions, including publications, presentations, program evaluation, or externally funded research.
Experience mentoring graduate students, interns, postdoctoral fellows, or early-career professionals.
Eligibility for appointment as Research Assistant Professor, Research Associate Professor, or Research Professor at the University of Rochester.
Demonstrated success securing and managing external funding through grants and contracts.
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Why Join Mt. Hope Family Center?
At Mt. Hope Family Center, you'll join an organization whose impact reaches far beyond the communities it serves. Every day, clinicians, researchers, educators, and community partners work together to improve the lives of children and families while advancing the science and practice of trauma-informed care.
This is a rare opportunity to lead at the intersection of clinical excellence, groundbreaking research, education, and community impact—helping shape programs that not only transform lives locally but also influence practice nationally.
As Clinical Director, you'll build upon a remarkable 45-year legacy while helping guide the Center through its next chapter of growth. You'll collaborate with internationally recognized faculty, lead an exceptional clinical team, mentor future leaders in the field, strengthen community partnerships, and help shape innovative, sustainable models of care for children and families.
If you're looking for a leadership opportunity where you can influence both individual lives and the future of the field, Mt. Hope Family Center offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
EOE, including disability/protected veterans
The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion/creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Classes). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.
To apply, please submit your cover letter and CV to Kelly_Balthaser@URMC.Rochester.edu.
