Vice President, Marketing and Business Development

Vice President, Growth, Marketing & Business Development Chicago, IL *This is a hybrid/remote position requiring up to 30% travel to the corporate office. 1–2 days per week onsite or in-market. Department: Business Development Reports To: President Company Overview Lighthouse Autism Center is the leading Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy provider in Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Nebraska, Iowa and North Carolina and expanding within those states and other states across the U.S. Since 2012, Lighthouse Autism Center has provided the highest quality, center-based ABA therapy to children with autism. At Lighthouse, children work on things like social skills, daily living skills, communication skills, and school-readiness skills. All children are overseen by Board Certified Behavior Analysts and programs are implemented by Registered Behavior Technicians. Lighthouse Autism Center also has full-time Speech-Language Pathologists on staff who provide co‑treat and consultative services speech therapy services to children who attend the centers. Summary The Vice President, Marketing & Business Development is a strategic and results focused senior leader responsible for developing and executing Lighthouse’s go-to-market, referral partnership, and lead generation strategies. Responsible for collaborating across functions and center-based resources, this individual will develop and execute a market strategy with the goal of increasing demand generation across all existing and future LAC markets. This leader will oversee the marketing, business development, and referral functions, developing and executing data-driven strategies that expand awareness, optimize referral channels, and strengthen Lighthouse’s position as the premier ABA provider in every community we serve. Partnering closely with the President, CFO, and Operations leaders, the VP creates and executes strategies to drive revenue and organic growth through market analysis, new business opportunities, and strategic partnerships. Responsibilities Develop and implement comprehensive business referral and marketing strategies to drive cost‑effective learner acquisition, increase market awareness and expand the network of referral partners to Drive EBITDA, and Revenue growth. Support the opening of new centers on time and on budget. Build and maintain relationships with referral networks, healthcare systems, school districts, payers, and advocacy organizations to expand Lighthouse’s learner pipeline. Develop and execute a comprehensive go‑to‑market strategy that drives repeatable and sustainable growth. Oversee the referral management process (CRM systems, analytics, and reporting) to ensure engagement, conversion, and retention. Serve as the executive sponsor for key strategic alliances and community partnerships, ensuring mission alignment and long‑term success. Partner with clinical and operational leaders to ensure new market and referral strategies align with service delivery capabilities and outcomes. Support de novo and other growth initiatives with timely development and implementation of market entry plans. Partner with the Operations team to consistently maintain and increase learner occupancy goals with a focus on full‑capacity utilization at all centers. Includes high‑level forecasting and proactive planning of learner transitions and replacements. Instill a heightened sense of urgency and ownership in meeting learner pipeline and enrollment goals across all centers Analyze market trends, patient needs, and competitive landscape to identify and capitalize on growth opportunities. Stay informed on changes in payor policies, reimbursement rates, and industry regulations, and adjust strategies accordingly. Develop a process to manage and optimize Lighthouse’s brand and external reputation. Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive marketing and communication strategy that drives awareness, engagement, and learner acquisition. Oversee all marketing channels—digital, community, content, and brand campaigns—ensuring data‑driven decision‑making and strong ROI. Maintain and strengthen Lighthouse’s reputation and brand consistency across all markets, channels, and communications. Direct external agency relationships, campaign analytics, and media partnerships to achieve annual growth objectives. Partner with clinical and operations teams to ensure marketing reflects LAC’s commitment to family‑centered care and clinical excellence. Leverage CRM and analytics platforms to track referral sources, identify bottlenecks, and improve lead‑to‑enrollment conversion. Lead, coach, and develop a high‑performing team of marketing, business development, and analytics professionals. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and innovation across all growth functions. Partner cross‑functionally with Operations, Clinical, Finance, and People teams to ensure scalable, sustainable growth strategies. Model Lighthouse’s values as a culture carrier and leader committed to mission, excellence, and impact. Requirements Qualifications Education: Bachelor’s degree in business, Marketing, Healthcare Administration, or related field required; Master’s degree preferred. Experience: 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in marketing, business development, or growth strategy, ideally within behavioral health or healthcare services. Proven success leading multi‑state market expansion and referral‑based growth initiatives. Demonstrated expertise in marketing analytics, CRM systems, and digital marketing strategies. Experience collaborating with payers, health systems, or referral networks. Exceptional communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills. Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets, forecasting, and ROI analysis. #J-18808-Ljbffr