About the Role
Thurmond Consulting is seeking an experienced, strategic, and mission-driven Senior Lead Consultant - Behavioral Health to join our Behavioral Health team. In this leadership role, you will manage high-impact consulting engagements, cultivate client relationships, supervise project teams, and drive business development initiatives that strengthen behavioral health systems across California.
As a trusted advisor, you will partner with County Behavioral Health Departments, Managed Care Plans (MCPs), Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), and other public sector partners to design and implement innovative solutions. You will lead projects focused on behavioral health transformation, strategic planning, program development, CalAIM implementation, grant development, and organizational capacity building while helping expand the firm's consulting practice.
This position reports to the Behavioral Health Team Manager and offers the opportunity to influence system-wide improvements while mentoring staff and contributing to the firm's continued growth.
Key ResponsibilitiesBusiness Development & Strategic Growth
- Identify emerging trends and client needs within the behavioral health landscape.
- Develop and launch new consulting services and strategic initiatives.
- Cultivate and maintain long-term partnerships with County Behavioral Health Departments, Managed Care Plans (MCPs), and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs).
- Support business development efforts through proposal writing, client engagement, and expanding existing accounts.
Project Leadership
- Lead behavioral health consulting projects from initiation through implementation.
- Develop and manage project work plans, budgets, timelines, and deliverables.
- Ensure projects are completed on schedule while maintaining exceptional quality.
- Facilitate internal team meetings and client check-ins to maintain alignment and project momentum.
- Identify project risks, barriers, and opportunities and implement effective solutions.
Client Relationship Management
- Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned clients.
- Build strong, trusted partnerships through proactive communication and strategic guidance.
- Translate complex regulatory, funding, and operational changes into actionable recommendations.
- Provide customized solutions aligned with each client's goals, capacity, and organizational priorities.
Subject Matter Expertise
- Apply advanced knowledge of behavioral health systems, funding mechanisms, CalAIM initiatives, and emerging policy developments.
- Conduct research, analysis, and best practice reviews to support client strategies.
- Represent Thurmond Consulting at meetings, presentations, and stakeholder convenings.
- Stay informed on evolving behavioral health policies and assess their impact on client operations.
Team Leadership & Staff Development
- Manage and mentor consultants, analysts, and program coordinators across multiple client engagements.
- Allocate project resources to ensure efficient staffing and successful project delivery.
- Review and approve project deliverables to ensure quality, accuracy, and client satisfaction.
- Support employee growth through coaching, mentorship, and ongoing professional development.
Strategic Planning & Problem Solving
- Lead strategic planning sessions, stakeholder engagement meetings, and community convenings.
- Anticipate project risks and develop practical, client-centered solutions.
- Synthesize complex information into clear recommendations and actionable implementation plans.
Internal Collaboration & Firm Development
- Contribute to firm-wide initiatives focused on knowledge sharing, systems improvement, and practice development.
- Collaborate with leadership on project pipeline management and organizational capacity planning.
- Support proposal development and identify opportunities to grow client partnerships.
Grant Research & Development
- Identify federal, state, foundation, and corporate funding opportunities.
- Research grant requirements and funding priorities.
- Lead or support the development of grant proposals, narratives, budgets, and supporting documentation.
Communication & Reporting
- Maintain proactive communication with clients, leadership, and project teams.
- Provide regular updates on project milestones, timelines, budgets, risks, and staffing needs.
- Document key project decisions and communicate professionally to support timely decision-making and successful project execution.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Behavioral Health, Social Work, Psychology, Public Health, Communications, Business, or a related field;
OR
- Six (6) or more years of demonstrated experience in behavioral health, consulting, project management, research and analysis, or nonprofit/government settings.
- Experience managing complex behavioral health projects and multidisciplinary teams.
- Strong understanding of behavioral health systems, CalAIM, program implementation, and organizational strategy.
- Experience with grant writing, strategic planning, and business development preferred.
- Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficiency with Google Workspace, Asana, and CRM platforms.
- Ability to travel as needed for client meetings, stakeholder engagement, and site visits.
Work Environment
- This is a remote position, though travel and occasional in-person meetings are required.
- Candidates must have a reliable laptop, a stable internet connection, and a dedicated workspace suitable for remote work.
Why Join Thurmond Consulting?
At Thurmond Consulting, we partner with organizations that are transforming behavioral health systems and improving outcomes for communities. As a Senior Lead Consultant, you'll lead meaningful work, mentor talented professionals, build lasting client partnerships, and help shape innovative solutions that create lasting impact. Join a collaborative team committed to excellence, equity, and continuous learning.
How to Apply
Please submit your resume and cover letter detailing your relevant experience and interest in this role.
Pay: $90,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
The Lead Consultant role requires prior consulting experience. Please describe your experience serving as a consultant, including the types of clients you supported, the projects you led, and how your consulting experience has prepared you to succeed in this role.
- CalAIM or Medicaid Experience
Do you have experience working with CalAIM, Medicaid, or other healthcare transformation initiatives? If yes, please describe your role, key responsibilities, and outcomes. If no, please provide an example of a behavioral health, housing, homelessness, or human services program that you helped design, launch, implement, or improve, including your specific contributions.
- Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement
Describe your leadership style and how you engage diverse stakeholders, including public agencies, community-based organizations, healthcare providers, and cross-functional teams, to achieve successful outcomes on complex behavioral health or health systems initiatives. Please provide a specific example.
- Additional Information
- Which of the following have you been directly responsible for? Please type in the categories that apply into the text box below.
Project management
Workflow or process design
Policy & procedure development
Program implementation
Staff training
Strategic planning
Data reporting/KPIs
Quality Improvement
Supervising Direct Reports
None of the above
Work Location: Remote
