Program Director, Milestones

Benefits:

At Lifeworks, we prioritize our employees and their wellbeing. We provide competitive benefit options to our employees and their families, including domestic partners and pets.

Our offerings include:

• Comprehensive health and Rx plans, including a zero-cost option.
• Wellness program including free preventative care
• Generous paid time off and holidays
• 50% tuition reduction at Case Western Reserve University for the MNO and MSW programs
• Defined benefit pension plan
• 403(b) retirement plan
• Pet insurance
• Employer paid life insurance and long-term disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• Support for continuing education and credential renewal
• Ancillary benefits including: dental, vision, voluntary life, short term disability, hospital indemnity, accident, critical illness
• Flexible Spending Account for Health and Dependent Care
  
  

Qualifications:

• Education: Master’s degree in Education, Special Education, Psychology, Social Work, Behavioral Sciences or related field preferred. Bachelor’s Degree required.
• Licensure: Ohio licensure in Education, LSW, LPC, Psychology, or BCBA preferred.
• Skills:
• Strong knowledge of autism-related resources, supports, and evidenced-based service models
• Experience working with individuals with autism spectrum disorders and/or developmental disabilities strongly preferred
• Ability to manage sensitive information with desertion and professionalism
• Ability to perform job responsibilities with a high degree of initiative and independent judgment.
• Excellent communication, listening and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated oral and written literacy communication skills and effective interpersonal skills.
• Practical and creative problem-solving skills.
• Sensitivity in relating to persons of varying backgrounds and demonstrate ability to work with diverse groups of people possessing various strengths, aptitudes, and abilities.
• Proficiency with electronic systems, health records and Microsoft Office Suite
• Experience: Minimum of 3–5 years in a leadership or program management role. Extensive experience working directly with autistic individuals and their families. Proven track record in community outreach, partnership development, or public relations.

Agency Summary:

Lifeworks is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that individuals with autism lead healthy and enriched lives by providing essential clinical services across the lifespan. Founded in 2013, Lifeworks provides residential, vocational, and educational opportunities for adults throughout Northeast Ohio with a diagnosis of autism. Among its array of services, the agency offers behavioral health and Applied Behavior Analytic services for individuals of all ages who are on the spectrum.

Position Summary:

The Program Director of Milestones provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for a program dedicated to providing community resources for autistic individuals. This role is responsible for the design and implementation of community outreach initiatives, professional training programs, and the direct supervision of staff to ensure high-quality, person-centered service delivery. A key responsibility is maintaining superior and vetted resources that lead to positive outcomes for those seeking support and services. In addition, frequent community needs assessments are necessary to be able to rapidly respond to these emerging needs to provide resources, education, and assist professionals. Maintaining positive relationships with stakeholders will enable this role to maintain program visibility and community awareness which leads to fundraising and donation opportunities which are necessary for program sustainability

Responsibilities Include:

• Program Development
• Initiate and manage strategic goals for the program that align with the mission and vision of the greater Agency and meet the needs of the community in the areas of resource provision, as well as education and training.
• Oversee and manage the program budget, ensuring efficient use of resources, while procuring opportunities for donations, grants, and billable services.
• Research, monitor, and evaluate community needs and resources to identify service gaps and opportunities for improvement.
• Develop and implement programming and evidence-based supports for autistic adults and youth.
• Design educational and training curricula that meet the needs of families, professionals, and community stakeholders.
• Recruit, hire, train and mentor a multidisciplinary team of staff and volunteers.
• Ensuring activities, as applicable, follow the appropriate legal guidelines, state regulations, and internal policies.
• Community Outreach & Advocacy
• Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships with community organizations, schools, and healthcare providers.
• Act as the organization’s representative at community events, resource fairs, and public speaking engagement to increase program visibility.
• Attend and present at conferences to contribute to the field, promote advocacy, and increase program awareness.
• Manage listserv and provide necessary updates via newsletter and social media posts.
• Training and Education
• Oversee the training and education operations to ensure alignment with best practice, quality of services, and respond to the needs of the field for providers, community stakeholders, families and autistic individuals.
• As needed, coordinate program activities with additional specialists and licensed professionals across the Agency. Identify and vet external consultants, trainers, and service providers.
• Resource Navigation
• Maintain the library of resources available to the community for self-navigation via the website and resource helpdesk. Identify gaps and provide updates as needed to ensure the resource center serves the autism population wholly.
• Grant Management
• Proactively identify federal, state, and private foundation funding opportunities that align with autism services and outreach. Lead the drafting, editing, and submission of highly competitive grant proposals.
• Ensure all program activities strictly adhere to grant-specific mandates, timelines, and performance benchmarks.
• Design systems to track key performance indicators (KPIs) and participant outcomes required for high-quality impact reporting to stakeholders and donors.
• Attend staff and team meetings.
• All required trainings, certifications, and licensure must be kept current in accordance with applicable licensing and accreditation regulations and standards.
• Respect the privacy of consumers and hold in confidence all information obtained during the consumer’s treatment. All consumer-related documents should be handled in accordance with Agency guidelines on confidential material.
• Maintain high standards of ethical and professional conduct and adhere to Agency policies and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned by management.