Executive Program Director — Autism Residential Community

Location: Sunrise, Florida (On-site) 

Employment Type: Full-time, Executive 

About the Community

We are developing one of the most innovative residential communities in the country for adults with Level 1 Autism — a 140-resident, apartment-style campus in Sunrise, Florida. The community will offer full life-skills programming, vocational opportunities, transportation, recreation, and a hospitality-inspired resident experience designed for autonomy, dignity, and meaningful daily living.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a founding Executive Program Director to lead this flagship community from launch through scale.

This role offers:

· Full executive authority to build, integrate, and scale programs across residential, vocational, and community life

· A national-level compensation package (relocation available)

· The opportunity to shape one of Florida's first communities of this size and specialization for adults with Level 1 Autism

If you are open to a confidential conversation, we'd love to connect.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Culture

· Set the vision, outcomes, and culture for a unified, hospitality-inspired resident experience.

· Build a high-performing leadership team across residential, day programs, vocational, transportation, recreation, and family engagement.

· Establish clear KPIs and success metrics focused on autonomy, safety, engagement, employment, and community integration.

Program Design & Delivery (Level 1 Autism)

· Architect and implement life-skills curricula, social skills, and independent living preparation tailored to Level 1 Autism.

· Create employment pipelines (volunteer, internship, paid work) with employer partners.

· Develop weekly programming schedules, progression frameworks, and outcome tracking.

Operations & Hospitality

· Design staffing models, scheduling, and training pathways; set SOPs for service, safety, and resident experience.

· Oversee daily operations across a 140-unit campus, including move-ins, resident services, transportation, recreation, and facilities coordination.

· Implement hospitality standards (responsiveness, personalization, consistency) in a neurodiversity-informed environment.

Clinical Coordination (ABA-informed, not ABA-driven)

· Coordinate with external clinicians, PCPs, therapists, and service providers; ensure cohesive support plans.

· Establish protocols for medication coordination, incident reporting, documentation, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Compliance, Licensing & Quality

· Lead compliance for APD, HCBS, Medicaid waiver, and other applicable regulatory frameworks.

· Prepare for audits; run quality assurance and performance improvement (QAPI) cycles.

· Maintain robust policies for safety, emergency preparedness, privacy, and data security.

Family & Resident Relations

· Build trusting relationships with residents and families through transparent communication, goal reviews, and regular touchpoints.

· Create resident councils, family forums, and individualized growth plans.

Community & Employer Partnerships

· Partners with universities, CARD centers, workforce boards, and employers to drive integration and employment outcomes.

· Represent the community publicly; cultivate mission-aligned partnerships.

Financial & Administrative Stewardship

· Own budgets, forecasting, and staffing plans; balance mission with sustainability.

· Implement data systems and dashboards; report performance to ownership/board.

Technology, Data & Continuous Improvement

· Select and implement case management, scheduling, and quality tools.

· Use data to iterate programs, enhance outcomes, and scale best practices.

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Qualifications

Required

· 10+ years in autism/IDD services or adjacent fields, with 5+ years in executive or multi-department leadership.

· Experience managing large residential communities (80–200 residents) or multi-site programs.

· Deep understanding of Level 1 Autism, independent living supports, and community integration.

· Demonstrated strength in family communication, operations, staff development, and cross-functional leadership.

· Working knowledge of APD, HCBS, Medicaid waiver compliance (Florida experience strongly preferred).

· Bachelor's degree in social work, Psychology, Special Education, Public Administration, or related field; Master's preferred.

· Ability to work flexible hours (some evenings/weekends), with background checks and driver's license as required.

Skills & Traits

· Visionary program builders with a hospitality mindset and a resident-first approach.

· Operationally rigorous: budgeting, audits, staffing, SOPs, risk management.

· Data-informed decision maker; strong communicator; credible with families and partners.

· Calm under pressure; values dignity, autonomy, and inclusion.