Director of Program Operations

Hudson Hill is a small but rapidly growing, mission-driven residential service provider committed to delivering best-in-class supports to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) throughout New Jersey. With several new homes scheduled to open in the near term and a clear strategic plan to scale into a larger, statewide organization, we are entering an exciting period of expansion. We are seeking an exceptional senior leader to serve as our Director of Program Operations—an influential, take-charge role that reports directly to the Executive Director and will help shape the operational foundation of our growing agency. This position offers a unique opportunity to build systems, strengthen quality, develop teams, and guide multiple departments as we scale. If you are a strategic, forward-thinking leader who thrives in fast-growing environments, Hudson Hill offers the chance to make a meaningful impact and play a central role in driving our next chapter of growth and innovation.

Director of Program Operations

Reports to: Executive Director

Department: Program Operations

Location: Somerset and Bergen Counties

Position Summary

The Director of Program Operations will serve as the agency’s senior operational leader under the Executive Director. This individual will be responsible for the performance, compliance, and quality of all DDD residential and programmatic services within the organization. The Director ensures that all programs operate in alignment with NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) standards, Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) requirements, and N.J.A.C. 10:44A regulations.

The Director of Program Operations will oversee residential management, behavioral services, clinical operations, and compliance/billing functions to ensure high-quality supports, organizational efficiency, and consistent program delivery. The role requires strong leadership, regulatory expertise, and an ability to cultivate a high-performing team environment across multiple departments.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

1. Leadership & Strategic Operations Management

• Provide vision, leadership, and direction to all program operations, ensuring alignment with agency mission, philosophy, and long-term strategic goals.
• Supervise, mentor, and support Program Director, Residential Manager, Behavioral Services leadership, Clinical Services leadership, and the Compliance/Billing Director.
• Lead cross-departmental operational planning, fostering collaboration between residential, clinical, behavioral, and compliance teams.
• Participate as a member of the Executive Leadership Team; contribute to agency-wide strategic initiatives and long-range planning.
• Represent program operations in multidisciplinary meetings, Board presentations, quality councils, and external stakeholder discussions.

2. Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure programmatic compliance with DDD, Medicaid FFS, HCBS Settings Rule, 10:44A regulations, and all relevant state/federal requirements.
• Oversee internal auditing systems for documentation, incident management, service delivery, and plan implementation.
• Develop, implement, and monitor corrective action plans (CAPs) resulting from internal reviews, licensing inspections, or external audits.
• Lead risk-management initiatives, including incident review processes, trend analysis, and systemic remediation.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of evolving regulations and communicate changes to staff through policy updates and training.

3. Program Quality, Performance, and Data Systems

• Establish and monitor agency-level performance metrics (KPIs) related to service quality, compliance, staffing, clinical outcomes, and utilization.
• Oversee quality improvement initiatives, ensuring consistent service delivery across all homes.
• Ensure documentation systems are used accurately and effectively.
• Review and analyze program data to drive decision-making, resource allocation, and operational improvement.
• Oversee implementation of agency quality plans, including person-centered practices and outcomes measurement.

4. Staff Development, Training & Workforce Support

• Oversee workforce planning for residential and program operations, including staffing patterns, scheduling systems, and onboarding processes.
• Ensure supervisors, managers, clinical staff, and DSP-level employees receive appropriate training, coaching, and professional development.
• Work with HR department on competency-based training, specialty certifications, and ongoing education relevant to DDD and 10:44A.
• Promote a culture of accountability, engagement, and professional growth throughout all operational teams.
• Support leadership staff with coaching on performance management, conflict resolution, and employee relations.

5. Interdepartmental Coordination & Communication

• Serve as the primary liaison between program operations and executive leadership, facilitating communication, feedback loops, and issue escalation.
• Ensure coordinated care by aligning residential teams with behavioral, clinical, nursing, and compliance departments.
• Facilitate weekly/monthly operational leadership meetings; maintain consistent information flow across departments.
• Collaborate with Finance on budget planning, utilization oversight, service authorization management, and resource optimization.

6. Family, Stakeholder, and Community Engagement

• Serve as an escalation point for complex family, guardian, and community concerns requiring leadership intervention.
• Strengthen relationships with care management organizations, support coordinators, health providers, and external stakeholders.
• Participate in community engagement efforts, regulatory meetings, and interagency collaborations supporting person-centered care.

7. Continuous Improvement & Organizational Sustainability

• Identify areas for system enhancement, workflow improvement, and operational efficiency.
• Lead initiatives to strengthen clinical integration, service delivery models, and person-centered practices.
• Support development and launch of new residential programs, expansion projects, or strategic service lines.
• Ensure programs remain financially viable within the DDD Fee-for-Service structure through utilization monitoring and accurate service delivery.

Supervisory Responsibilities

The Director of Program Operations supervises the following positions (directly or indirectly):

• Program Director
• Residential Manager
• Director of Behavioral Services
• Medical Coordinator
• Registered Nurse (via the Medical Coordinator)
• Director of Compliance & Billing
• Additional program operational staff as assigned

Qualifications & Requirements

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, Healthcare Administration, or related field required; Master’s degree strongly preferred.
• Minimum 5-7 years of progressive leadership experience in developmental disabilities, residential services, or human services operations.
• Experience with DDD, Medicaid FFS, and HCBS regulations required.
• Prior senior management or multi-site leadership experience desired.

Knowledge & Skills

• Expert knowledge of NJ DDD, HCBS, and 10:44A regulatory frameworks.
• Strong analytical skills with ability to interpret data, metrics, and compliance reports.
• Ability to lead complex teams, manage competing priorities, and make strategic decisions.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building abilities.
• Strong organizational, planning, and project-management skills.
• Competency in electronic health record systems and operational software tools.

Certifications (Preferred)

• CPR/First Aid
• MAP/MAT, PMP, CESP, or other relevant credentials
• Crisis prevention/intervention certifications (e.g., CPI, Handle With Care)

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Frequent travel to residential locations throughout New Jersey.
• Participation in on-call rotation or emergency response system as needed.
• Must be able to respond to crisis situations and support program operations at all hours when required.