Director of children's residential services

Are you a transformational leader who believes every child deserves a safe, supportive, and enriching home environment where they can thrive?

Do you have the vision, leadership skills, and passion needed to build and sustain exceptional residential services for children with autism?

Are you ready to lead a dedicated team of professionals committed to helping children build meaningful skills, achieve greater independence, and experience the highest possible quality of life?

As Director of Children's Residential Services at Anderson Center for Autism, you will provide strategic leadership and oversight for one of the agency's most impactful programs. Responsible for the overall operation of Children's Residential Services, you will guide program development, staff performance, quality assurance, family engagement, and service delivery while ensuring every aspect of the program aligns with Anderson's mission and commitment to excellence.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced leader who is passionate about creating positive outcomes for children with autism and their families. Through your leadership, you'll help shape a residential program that promotes safety, dignity, personal growth, and meaningful quality-of-life outcomes while fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and professional development.

What You Will Do as Director of Children's Residential Services

• You will provide leadership, vision, and operational direction for Children's Residential Services, ensuring high-quality programming that supports the unique needs of each child and family served.
• You will lead ongoing program evaluation and development efforts by identifying opportunities for improvement, implementing best practices, and advancing initiatives that strengthen services and outcomes.
• You will ensure individualized quality-of-life goals and learning outcomes are developed, monitored, and refined to support each resident's continued growth and success.
• You will oversee staff training, competency requirements, annual assessments, and documentation systems to ensure regulatory compliance and consistent program quality.
• You will foster a culture of leadership development by supporting professional growth opportunities for management staff and encouraging ongoing learning throughout the program.
• You will establish and maintain high standards of documentation, accountability, and operational consistency across all residential services.
• You will ensure that supervisors and managers engage in active, visible leadership and supervision practices that support employee success, resident well-being, and program compliance.
• You will oversee staffing systems, scheduling practices, performance management efforts, and employee development initiatives that promote stability, effectiveness, and excellent service delivery.
• You will help create safe, welcoming, and supportive residential environments where children can develop skills, build relationships, and achieve meaningful quality-of-life outcomes.
• You will collaborate closely with colleagues across educational, clinical, and residential programs to support interdisciplinary problem-solving and coordinated care.
• You will model proactive communication and effective partnership with families, ensuring concerns are addressed professionally and solutions are developed collaboratively.
• You will directly supervise the Assistant Director of Children's Residential Services through ongoing coaching, formal supervision, performance feedback, and professional development support.
• You will contribute to the growth and advancement of Anderson's residential services while helping shape a world-class program that supports children with autism and their families.

What You Can Bring to the Team

• A passion for helping children with autism experience meaningful, fulfilling lives.
• Strong leadership abilities and a commitment to developing high-performing teams.
• Experience building systems that promote quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Excellent communication, coaching, and relationship-building skills.
• A collaborative leadership style that values teamwork, innovation, and problem-solving.
• Strong organizational, operational, and strategic planning capabilities.
• The ability to navigate complex situations while maintaining a focus on quality outcomes.
• Dedication to Anderson's mission, values, and Quality of Life philosophy.

The Qualifications We Seek

• Bachelor's degree in Human Services or a related field required.
• Master's degree preferred.
• Knowledge and experience with Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) required.
• BCBA certification is not required.
• A minimum of five years of leadership or management experience within a children's residential setting preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading teams, developing programs, and supporting quality improvement initiatives.
• Strong understanding of residential services, developmental disabilities, and person-centered supports.
• Exceptional communication, leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

In Addition, We Expect That You

• Complete all required agency training and professional development activities.
• Maintain a highly visible leadership presence throughout the program.
• Support a culture of accountability, compassion, professionalism, and continuous learning.
• Promote effective collaboration across departments and service areas.
• Ensure compliance with agency policies, procedures, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Model ethical leadership, sound judgment, and professionalism in all interactions.
• Champion Anderson's commitment to quality of life for the individuals we serve.

Anderson's QUALITY OF LIFE Expectation:

To actively support Anderson's mission by promoting and enhancing the quality of life (QofL) of the individuals we serve through thoughtful, comprehensive, and person-centered practices.

A Benefits Package Designed to Optimize YOUR Quality of Life Too:

• Up to 6 weeks of paid time off (starting in your first year!)
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match and annual contribution
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans
• Wellness program
• Ongoing professional development
• Discounted tuition at select colleges/universities
• Scholarship program for those seeking educational experiences aligned with the role (*restrictions apply)
• Invitations to staff appreciation events and experiences

And much, much more!

To get a better understanding of the benefits that will be available to you, visit andersoncenterforautism.org/benefit.

Pay Range:

$102,670.00 - $107,870.00 Annually; based on experience

Ready to Bring Your Purpose to Life? A bright future for you begins here at Anderson Center for Autism.

Open the door to a rewarding career with advancement opportunities; expand possibilities for yourself AND for individuals with autism, their families, your colleagues, our cause, and society as a whole!

Apply today. You'll contribute to a meaningful mission, now and for years to come!

Life as Part of our Anderson Center for Autism Team

If you are looking to build a career that brings you a deep sense of purpose and a high quality of life, Anderson Center for Autism might be just the landing place you've envisioned.

Here you will enjoy a supportive, friendly work environment that values your ideas and insights, provides rewarding mentorship experiences, and opens doors to new professional opportunities that can transform your journey.

And by working at Anderson, you will be part of a movement so much bigger than all of us. Founded over 100 years ago (in 1924), our award-winning, evidence-based educational, vocational, residential, clinical, and consulting/training programs have successfully optimized the quality of life for individuals with autism for decades now. In addition, we work every day to cultivate a broader culture of acceptance in society, further adding to the legacy of compassion for which we have come to be known throughout the country and around the world.

In addition to a rewarding career experience, as part of our team you'll also enjoy competitive pay, a generous retirement plan (including employer match and annual contribution), abundant vacation time, robust benefits, ongoing opportunities for learning and advancement, wellness programs, staff appreciation events, and a chance to work alongside wonderful professionals in a positive environment.

Our Mission at Anderson Center for Autism:

To optimize the quality of life for individuals with autism.

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This position description in no way states or implies that the responsibilities listed are the only duties to be performed by the person filling this position. The person in the position may be required to perform other duties as necessitated by the situation or requested by his/her supervisor.

Our organization is committed to providing a diverse workforce by ensuring that discrimination barriers to equal employment opportunity and upward mobility do not exist here. Equal opportunity means employment, development, and promotion of individuals without consideration of race, color, disability, religion, age, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran status, citizenship or immigration status, unless there is a bona fide occupational requirement which excludes a person in one of these protected groups. Our organization is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

EOE