Director of Community Programs - Hartford, CT

Oak Harbor Freight Lines, Inc.; Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Oak Harbor Freight Lines, Inc. is seeking a Community Program Director to lead residential and community-based programs serving individuals with IDD.

The role requires strategic and operational leadership to ensure high-quality services, regulatory compliance, workforce development, and financial stewardship. The Director partners with executive leadership, families, DDS representatives, and community stakeholders to deliver safe, person-centered supports with strong program governance and

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a related field.
• Minimum five years of leadership experience in IDD, residential, healthcare, or human services operations.
• Demonstrated experience leading teams and managing complex program operations.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory compliance, quality assurance, and person-centered services.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

Responsibilities

• Provide oversight for multiple residential and community-based programs.
• Ensure health, safety, and well-being of individuals receiving services.
• Manage operational performance, staffing stability, and service quality.
• Lead responses to critical incidents, staffing challenges, and emergencies.
• Conduct site visits and operational reviews.
• Ensure compliance with DDS regulations, licensing requirements, Medicaid standards, and agency policies.
• Prepare programs for audits, licensing reviews, and inspections.
• Monitor incidents, investigations, corrective action plans, and quality metrics.
• Drive continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• Supervise and develop Site Supervisors and management staff.
• Conduct performance evaluations, coaching, and succession planning.
• Partner with Human Resources on recruitment, retention, and workforce planning.
• Foster a culture of accountability, engagement, and professional growth.
• Manage departmental budgets and operational resources.
• Monitor payroll, overtime utilization, staffing expenditures, and purchasing activities.
• Identify opportunities for greater efficiency while maintaining quality services.
• Collaborate with Executive Leadership on organizational initiatives and strategic planning.
• Develop long-term operational goals and performance measures.
• Strengthen community partnerships and stakeholder relationships.
• Support organizational growth and service expansion efforts.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory compliance

Quality assurance

Strategic planning

Communication

Problem solving

Driver's license

Education

Master's degree in related field

Job description

Position Summary

The Community Program Director provides strategic and operational leadership for residential and community-based programs serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). This position is responsible for ensuring high-quality services, regulatory compliance, workforce development, quality improvement, risk management, and financial stewardship.

The Director serves as a key partner to executive leadership, interdisciplinary teams, families, guardians, DDS representatives, healthcare providers, and community stakeholders to ensure individuals receive safe, effective, and person-centered supports.

What You’ll Do

Program Leadership

• Provide oversight for multiple residential and community-based programs.
• Ensure health, safety, and well-being of individuals receiving services.
• Manage operational performance, staffing stability, and service quality.
• Lead responses to critical incidents, staffing challenges, and emergencies.
• Conduct site visits and operational reviews.

Regulatory Compliance & Quality Assurance

• Ensure compliance with DDS regulations, licensing requirements, Medicaid standards, and agency policies.
• Prepare programs for audits, licensing reviews, and inspections.
• Monitor incidents, investigations, corrective action plans, and quality metrics.
• Drive continuous quality improvement initiatives.

Staff Leadership & Development

• Supervise and develop Site Supervisors and management staff.
• Conduct performance evaluations, coaching, and succession planning.
• Partner with Human Resources on recruitment, retention, and workforce planning.
• Foster a culture of accountability, engagement, and professional growth.

Financial Management

• Manage departmental budgets and operational resources.
• Monitor payroll, overtime utilization, staffing expenditures, and purchasing activities.
• Identify opportunities for greater efficiency while maintaining quality services.

Strategic Leadership

• Collaborate with Executive Leadership on organizational initiatives and strategic planning.
• Develop long-term operational goals and performance measures.
• Strengthen community partnerships and stakeholder relationships.
• Support organizational growth and service expansion efforts.

Qualifications

Required

• Master's Degree in Human Services, Healthcare Administration, Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of leadership experience within IDD services, residential services, healthcare, or human services operations.
• Demonstrated experience leading teams and managing complex program operations.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory compliance, quality assurance, and person-centered services.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

Preferred

• Seven (7)+ years of progressive leadership experience.
• Experience overseeing multiple residential programs and supervisory staff.
• Direct experience working with DDS regulations, licensing reviews, and audits.
• Experience managing budgets, workforce planning, and operational metrics.

Success in This Role Looks Like

• Strong DDS compliance results and successful licensing reviews.
• Stable staffing and improved employee retention.
• Reduced incidents and improved quality outcomes.
• Positive individual and family satisfaction.
• Effective budget management and overtime control.
• Achievement of organizational and departmental strategic goals.

Why Join Us?

• Opportunity to influence services across multiple programs.
• Mission-driven culture focused on person-centered supports.
• Collaborative leadership team.
• Professional growth and advancement opportunities.
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

Join us and help create meaningful opportunities, stronger communities, and better outcomes for the people we support.

#INDOAK