Director of Disability Services

Director of Disability Services - Norfolk, VA

The Up Center – South Hampton Roads

The Up Center is seeking a strategic, compassionate, and operationally strong leader to guide our Disability Services continuum. This role oversees programs that support adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as individuals who rely on financial management services to maintain stability and independence.

This is an opportunity to lead work that protects dignity, strengthens independence, and ensures access to safe, person-centered supports. The Director will shape program quality, develop high-performing teams, and ensure services are responsive, compliant, and grounded in the needs of the community.

Why This Role Matters

This role sits at the intersection of care, accountability, and independence. The services you lead ensure that individuals are supported in living stable, meaningful lives within their communities. Your leadership will directly shape how those supports are delivered today and strengthened for the future.

What You Will Lead

You will provide leadership across a continuum of services, including Sponsored Residential programming and financial management Representative Payee services. You will ensure these programs operate with excellence—balancing person-centered care, regulatory compliance, and operational effectiveness.

What Success Looks Like in This Role

In this role, you will:

• Lead high-quality, person-centered services that promote safety, dignity, and independence
• Build and support a strong, accountable, and mission-driven team
• Maintain full compliance with licensing, regulatory, and fiduciary standards
• Maintain program compliance through data, oversight, and continuous improvement
• Develop KPIs and meet program service delivery goals and organizational initiatives
• Ensure readiness for successful audits, reviews, and evolving regulatory expectations
• Build relationships with community partners and referral sources
• Drive growth, sustainability, and future direction of Disability Services

Core Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership, direction, and oversight of Disability Services programs
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations
• Champion the health, safety, rights, and dignity of individuals served
• Oversee program operations, staffing, and service delivery to ensure quality and consistency
• Develop, coach, and support supervisors and team members to build a high-performing team
• Monitor program performance, outcomes, and service quality; implement improvements using data-based decision making
• Demonstrating and promoting an orientation to technology and system solutions
• Maintain strong fiscal oversight, including budgeting and responsible resource management
• Collaborate across departments to ensure coordinated, responsive service delivery
• Build and maintain relationships with community partners, funders, and stakeholders
• Ensure accurate documentation, reporting, and audit readiness across all services

Preferred Strengths and Leadership Style

The ideal candidate will bring:

• A deep commitment to person-centered, trauma-informed practice
• The ability to balance compassion with accountability and structure
• Confidence navigating regulatory environments while maintaining service quality
• A calm, solutions-oriented approach to complex challenges
• A leadership style that develops others and builds trust across teams
• A commitment to continuous learning, reflection, and improvement

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Social Work, Business Administration, or a related field (Master’s preferred)
• Progressive leadership experience in disability services or a related human services field
• Strong knowledge of regulatory requirements, licensing standards, and compliance expectations
• Experience managing teams, programs, and budgets
• Demonstrated ability to lead in complex, fast-paced environments
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills

Compensation - $82,500.00 - $99,000.00 annually; commensurate with experience

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