Director of Therapies & Related Services

Director of Therapies & Related Services

IDEAL School of Manhattan – 5 Hanover Square, New York, NY 10004.

IDEAL School of Manhattan is an inclusion school dedicated to creating a diverse community that affirms the full identities of all people, inspiring academic excellence, creative leadership, and a desire to build a more just and equitable world.

Title:

Director of Therapies & Related Services

Reports to:

Director of Learning Support
Supervises:
Occupational, Physical, and Speech‑Language Therapists

Employment Type:

Administration; 12‑month;
Full‑time, Exempt

IDEAL seeks a strategic, compassionate, and highly organized Director to lead a multidisciplinary team of clinicians. The role includes overseeing the delivery, compliance, and quality of therapy services such as Speech‑Language Pathology (SLP), Occupational Therapy (OT), Physical Therapy (PT), and other related services, ensuring that every student receives high‑quality, evidence‑based interventions that support functional and academic success.

• Promote clear directives for therapeutic services that align with the school’s mission and inclusive philosophy.
• Provide direct supervision, mentorship, and performance evaluations for all therapeutic faculty.
• Promote and model inclusive practices by supporting the integration of therapeutic services within classroom settings and across the school day.
• Develop and monitor key performance indicators for therapy services; regularly report on student outcomes, program effectiveness, and areas for growth.
• Coordinate and lead multidisciplinary responses for complex or high‑need student situations, ensuring cohesive and timely support.
• Support transition planning for students, including collaboration around post‑secondary readiness, independence, and life skills.
• Coach and support therapeutic staff in partnering with families by providing guidance and resources that promote carryover of strategies at home.
• Support the IEP process by preparing for, facilitating, and actively contributing to meetings, while ensuring alignment across team members and with family priorities.
• Identify professional development needs and facilitate training on current best practices and assistive technologies.
• Ensure all services comply with IDEAL and legal mandates under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
• Oversee the management of caseloads and assignments to ensure equitable distribution of services.
• Maintain awareness of collaboration between therapeutic staff and external healthcare providers or community agencies, providing guidance and support to ensure coordinated, student‑centered care.
• Manage the department budget, including procurement of therapeutic equipment and specialized testing materials.
• Lead recruitment for high‑demand therapy roles and manage relationships with external staffing agencies.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support the efficient operation of the school.

• Master’s or Doctorate in a therapy discipline (Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, or Speech‑Language Pathology).
• Generally 3–5 years of clinical experience.
• Prior supervisory or management experience.
• Active state licensure in the respective therapeutic field.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Experience in an independent school setting.
• Familiarity with Universal Design for Learning.

• Appreciation for the school’s mission.
• Strong understanding of differentiation.
• Ability to collaborate as part of a team.
• Desire to contribute time and talent outside of the classroom to support student growth.

Salary Range: $90,000–$105,000. Compensation will be determined based on education, experience, and other job‑related factors.

Benefits include paid time off, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, flexible spending program, health reimbursement account, commuter benefits program, income protection via short and long‑term disability benefits, paid family leave, discounted lunch options, and professional development opportunities.

The IDEAL School of Manhattan is committed to equal employment opportunity for all qualified employees and job applicants, and to making all employment decisions without unlawful discrimination as to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, familial status, any status or condition protected by applicable law, or any other status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

This policy applies to all recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits, training and development, promotion, discipline and termination decisions.