Program Director

Job Title:

Program Director

Location:

Canton, Ohio

Schedule:

Full-time, salaried (on-site / field-based)

Compensation: $62,000–$72,500 annually (based on experience)

We are a growing developmental disabilities provider committed to high-quality, person-centered residential services. Our CEO remains deeply involved in external relationships (SSA’s, guardians, county boards, and strategic growth). We now need a strong internal operator to “run the inside” of the company.

The Program Director is responsible for the overall performance of our residential programs and management team. You will:

• Lead and develop residential managers
• Build and enforce structure, systems, and accountability
• Absorb daily operational chaos so the CEO can focus on growth and external relationships

• Lead, coach, and hold residential managers accountable for quality, safety, staffing, and compliance
• Oversee daily operations across all residential sites, ensuring consistent implementation of policies and procedures
• Conduct regular site visits, spot checks, and operational audits
• Monitor schedules, call-offs, and staffing patterns; ensure coverage and effective call-off management systems

• Serve as the primary internal point of contact for managers and DSPs for operational issues
• Address employee concerns, DSP complaints, and internal escalations before they reach the CEO
• Coordinate and oversee orientation, onboarding flow, and retraining for residential staff and managers
• Manage performance reviews, corrective action, and follow-through on expectations

• Create and refine internal processes that reduce confusion, repeated questions, and “fires”
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations, documentation standards, and agency policies
• Partner with HR/recruiting (or oversee that function as needed) to support effective hiring, onboarding, and retention
• Implement and maintain clear internal communication systems between leadership, managers, and direct care staff

• Act as the operational “filter” between residential operations and the CEO
• Reduce leadership dependency by empowering managers to solve problems independently
• Protect executive time from daily drama, repeated operational questions, and non-strategic issues

We are not looking for another overwhelmed coordinator or a passive “task completer.” We are looking for an enforcer–organizer hybrid who:

• Naturally creates structure where there is chaos
• Holds managers firmly accountable while remaining fair and professional
• Thinks in systems and can stop repeated mistakes from happening over and over
• Communicates clearly and directly, both up and down the organization
• Can work under pressure without becoming reactive or overwhelmed
• Is comfortable making decisions and seeing them through

• 3+ years of leadership/management experience in DD services, residential services, assisted living, behavioral health, or a closely related field
• Bachelor's Degree
• Proven track record of supervising managers or team leads (not just frontline staff)
• Strong understanding of residential operations: staffing, scheduling, documentation, compliance, and crisis response
• Demonstrated experience creating or enforcing processes, policies, and accountability
• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and ability to travel regularly between sites

• Experience as a Residential Director, Program Director, Program Manager, PC, or similar role in DD or human services
• Knowledge of Ohio DD regulations and county board/SSA systems
• Experience leading through growth, change, or operational turnaround

• Competitive salary of $62,000–$72,500 (commensurate with experience)
• Opportunity to shape and lead the internal operations of a growing agency
• Direct access to and partnership with the CEO
• Supportive leadership that wants you to lead, not just “help out”
• The chance to build systems, structure, and a leadership culture that actually works