Executive Program Director — Autism Residential Community

Executive Program Director — Autism Residential Community

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About The Community

We are developing one of the most innovative residential communities in the country for adults with Level 1 Autism — a 140-resident, apartment-style campus in Sunrise, Florida. The community will offer full life-skills programming, vocational opportunities, transportation, recreation, and a hospitality-inspired resident experience designed for autonomy, dignity, and meaningful daily living.

Description

Location: Sunrise, Florida (On-site)
Employment Type: Full-time, Executive

The Opportunity

We are seeking a founding Executive Program Director to lead this flagship community from launch through scale.

This Role Offers

• Full executive authority to build, integrate, and scale programs across residential, vocational, and community life
• A national-level compensation package (relocation available)
• The opportunity to shape one of Florida’s first communities of this size and specialization for adults with Level 1 Autism

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Culture

• Set the vision, outcomes, and culture for a unified, hospitality-inspired resident experience.
• Build a high-performing leadership team across residential, day programs, vocational, transportation, recreation, and family engagement.
• Establish clear KPIs and success metrics focused on autonomy, safety, engagement, employment, and community integration.

Program Design & Delivery (Level 1 Autism)

• Architect and implement life-skills curricula, social skills, and independent living preparation tailored to Level 1 Autism.
• Create employment pipelines (volunteer, internship, paid work) with employer partners.
• Develop weekly programming schedules, progression frameworks, and outcome tracking.

Operations & Hospitality

• Design staffing models, scheduling, and training pathways; set SOPs for service, safety, and resident experience.
• Oversee daily operations across a 140-unit campus, including move-ins, resident services, transportation, recreation, and facilities coordination.
• Implement hospitality standards (responsiveness, personalization, consistency) in a neurodiversity-informed environment.

Clinical Coordination (ABA-informed, not ABA-driven)

• Coordinate with external clinicians, PCPs, therapists, and service providers; ensure cohesive support plans.
• Establish protocols for medication coordination, incident reporting, documentation, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Compliance, Licensing & Quality

• Lead compliance for APD, HCBS, Medicaid waiver, and other applicable regulatory frameworks.
• Prepare for audits; run quality assurance and performance improvement (QAPI) cycles.
• Maintain robust policies for safety, emergency preparedness, privacy, and data security.

Family & Resident Relations

• Build trusting relationships with residents and families through transparent communication, goal reviews, and regular touchpoints.
• Create resident councils, family forums, and individualized growth plans.

Community & Employer Partnerships

• Partner with universities, CARD centers, workforce boards, and employers to drive integration and employment outcomes.
• Represent the community publicly; cultivate mission-aligned partnerships.

Financial & Administrative Stewardship

• Own budgets, forecasting, and staffing plans; balance mission with sustainability.
• Implement data systems and dashboards; report performance to ownership/board.

Technology, Data & Continuous Improvement

• Select and implement case management, scheduling, and quality tools.
• Use data to iterate programs, enhance outcomes, and scale best practices.

Qualifications

Required

• 10+ years in autism/IDD services or adjacent fields, with 5+ years in executive or multi-department leadership.
• Experience managing large residential communities (80–200 residents) or multi-site programs.
• Deep understanding of Level 1 Autism, independent living supports, and community integration.
• Demonstrated strength in family communication, operations, staff development, and cross-functional leadership.
• Working knowledge of APD, HCBS, Medicaid waiver compliance (Florida experience strongly preferred).
• Bachelor’s degree in social work, Psychology, Special Education, Public Administration, or related field;
  Master’s preferred.
• Ability to work flexible hours (some evenings/weekends), with background checks and driver’s license as required.

Skills & Traits

• Visionary program builders with a hospitality mindset and a resident-first approach.
• Operationally rigorous: budgeting, audits, staffing, SOPs, risk management.
• Data-informed decision maker; strong communicator; credible with families and partners.
• Calm under pressure; values dignity, autonomy, and inclusion.