Director of Recovery

5280 High School•Denver, CO

18d

About The Position

The Director of Recovery is a senior leadership role responsible for leading, strengthening, and continuously advancing the recovery program at 5280 Recovery High School. The recovery program supports students navigating substance use, eating disorders, and other mental health challenges within a clinically informed, peer-supported educational environment. The Director of Recovery works in close partnership with the School Director to design, implement, and oversee all recovery programming and services. This role provides direct supervision to the recovery team, including Recovery Coaches and a Licensed Addictions Counselor, and ensures alignment between recovery supports, academic programming, and schoolwide culture. This position requires a balance of independent leadership and deep collaboration with instructional staff, school leadership, families, and community partners. As an established recovery high school, 5280 strives to continuously refine and strengthen its recovery model rather than engage in initial program development. Accordingly, the Director of Recovery focuses on program sustainability, quality improvement, and long-term impact, including strengthening community partnerships, expanding referral pipelines, supporting enrollment and outreach efforts, ensuring regulatory and Medicaid compliance, and using data and student voice to guide ongoing program development. The Director of Recovery plays a critical role in shaping school culture, maintaining fidelity to recovery principles, and ensuring that every student feels seen, supported, and empowered to thrive.

Requirements

Demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of 5280 Recovery High School and to supporting both academic success and recovery journeys of students.
CPFS credential through a COPA-approved pathway or an equivalent behavioral health or clinical professional license.
Experience supporting adolescents or young adults in recovery, including case management and coordinated care.
Proven leadership experience supervising and developing multidisciplinary teams.
Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills with students, families, staff, and community partners.
Ability to work collaboratively within a leadership team while also exercising independent judgment and initiative.
Strong organizational, problem-solving, and prioritization skills in a fast-paced, emotionally complex environment.
Lived experience with substance use recovery that informs professional practice and leadership (shared voluntarily and treated confidentially).
Ability to pass a Colorado fingerprint-based criminal background check.
High School Diploma (minimum)

Nice To Haves

Certified Addiction Specialist License
Prior experience in a recovery high school or therapeutic/alternative educational setting.
Existing relationships within the Denver-area recovery and behavioral health community.
Experience leading or supervising recovery-focused or clinical teams.
Bachelor’s degree or higher in a related field.