Associate Director Sherlock Center

Associate Director of the Sherlock Center Position Overview

The Sherlock Center, Rhode Island’s federally designated University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), seeks a dynamic and mission‑driven Associate Director to join our leadership team. This is a unique opportunity to help shape statewide impact, strengthen inclusive communities, and guide innovative programs that enhance the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

As a strategic partner to the Executive Director, the Associate Director plays a key role in driving the UCEDD’s mission, ensuring excellence in service delivery, and advancing the initiatives outlined in the five‑year plan. The leader will oversee core operational functions—including staff supervision, program planning, evaluation, and financial stewardship—while cultivating collaborations across agencies, providers, and community stakeholders.

• Serve as an effective member of the Sherlock Center’s leadership team; exercise initiative consistent with the Center’s goals and objectives; provide effective leadership consistent with the UCEDD five‑year plan and other project requirements.
• Effectively represent the UCEDD with a wide range of public and private organizations, groups and individuals; represent the Center on committees, boards, and at a variety of public events and activities.
• Assist in overall program planning and development, fiscal integrity, program and staff evaluation.
• Assist in the efficient and effective delivery of a coordinated program of direct or support services.
• Develop and oversee a variety of service contracts and grants, as required.
• Develop and maintain appropriate information systems and generate and disseminate analyses, reports and recommendations as required.
• Help develop processes and procedures to improve the day‑to‑day management of the UCEDD.
• Exercise supervisory authority over at least 20 full‑time equivalent employees, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and approving hours worked.
• Ensure that related policies, procedures, and standards are maintained.
• Contribute to core UCEDD functions, including training, research, dissemination of evidence and best practices, and demonstration of model services.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Executive Director.

• Knowledge of teaching strategies that promote participation of individuals with complex developmental or other disabilities.
• Knowledge of culturally responsive approaches to inform, support, and engage diverse populations or communities, including individuals with complex developmental or other disabilities.
• Knowledge of best practices for implementing project evaluation activities.
• Excellent written, verbal communication and organizational skills.
• Proficient computer skills, including basic word processing and data programs, and competence in data analysis.
• Ability to translate research and educational materials into plain language.
• Ability to prioritize, manage, and execute multiple projects concurrently.
• Proven ability to plan, coordinate, direct and control several functions and programs of a large agency or complex program within the disability community.
• Proven ability to develop and oversee operating systems, including fiscal integrity.
• Proven ability to interpret complex information, prepare analyses/reports for grants/funding sources.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively with all levels of staff, agencies, advocacy groups, providers, and the public using appropriate communication styles.
• Proven ability to lead, supervise, direct, assign, and evaluate the work of subordinates.
• Proven ability to work effectively as a member of the leadership team.
• Proven ability to meet and conform to performance specifications and related capacities.

Education:

Master’s degree in Public Administration, Management, Education, Psychology, or a specifically assigned area, supplemented by extensive specialized or advanced training.

Experience:

Minimum of…