Director of Programs and Services

Stepcentral; Dearborn Heights (MI); On-site; USD 95,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

403(b) Retirement Plan with 5% match

Paid Time Off

Short & Long Term Disability Insurance

Life & AD&D Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

STEP is seeking an experienced Director of Programs & Services to lead the organization’s STEP FORWARD programs, aligning assessment, planning, and coordination under STEP’s house model. This role drives strategy, execution, and a culture of accountability across programs and services in the front, middle, and back of the house.

Based in Dearborn Heights, Michigan with regular travel to STEP locations, the ideal candidate will turn ideas into action, manage budgets, and foster continuous

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field; master’s degree strongly preferred.
• At least 5 years of progressively responsible program and team leadership experience.
• Experience leading and developing managers or multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience managing multiple programs, priorities, and organizational initiatives.
• Knowledge of Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) or related quality practices.
• Understanding of person-centered services, self-determination, independence, dignity, and community inclusion for people with I/DD.
• Strong strategic thinking, project management, communication, relationship-building, and decision-making skills.
• A demonstrated ability to turn strategy into practical action and measurable results.
• Experience in disability services, behavioral health, vocational rehabilitation, human services, or another mission-driven organization is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for programs and services operating within STEP FORWARD.
• Lead and develop program managers and other assigned leaders.
• Establish clear program expectations, outcomes, performance measures, and accountability.
• Evaluate and improve existing programs while identifying opportunities for innovation and growth.
• Ensure services are person-centered and intentionally support independence, skill development, relationships, community participation, and meaningful goals.
• Use data, member feedback, and stakeholder input to drive continuous quality improvement.
• Collaborate with Clinical and Employment Services to create coordinated pathways that support each member’s goals.
• Participate in organizational strategy, budgeting, resource allocation, and program planning.
• Build strong relationships with members, families, staff, community partners, funders, and other stakeholders.
• Serve as a member of STEP’s executive leadership team and help shape the organization’s future.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Project management

Communication

Relationship-building

Decision-making

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Master’s degree strongly preferred

Job description

STEP is seeking an experienced, strategic, and collaborative Director of Programs & Services to lead the organization’s programs and services and advance STEP FORWARD programs.

Using STEP’s "house" model, Clinical Services serves as the front of the house, connecting individuals to assessment, planning, and coordination. Employment Services represents the back porch, creating pathways toward employment and economic independence. This position leads everything in the middle of the house—the programs, experiences, skill development, community participation, and supports that help members move toward their goals.

This is an opportunity for a leader who can bring vision to programs, turn ideas into action, and build a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

What You’ll Do

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for programs and services operating within STEP FORWARD.
• Lead and develop program managers and other assigned leaders.
• Establish clear program expectations, outcomes, performance measures, and accountability.
• Evaluate and improve existing programs while identifying opportunities for innovation and growth.
• Ensure services are person-centered and intentionally support independence, skill development, relationships, community participation, and meaningful goals.
• Use data, member feedback, and stakeholder input to drive continuous quality improvement.
• Collaborate with Clinical and Employment Services to create coordinated pathways that support each member’s goals.
• Participate in organizational strategy, budgeting, resource allocation, and program planning.
• Build strong relationships with members, families, staff, community partners, funders, and other stakeholders.
• Serve as a member of STEP’s executive leadership team and help shape the organization’s future.

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for a visionary leader who is also a strong implementer – someone who can see what programs can become and create the structure and accountability to make it happen.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field; master’s degree strongly preferred.
• At least 5 years of progressively responsible program and team leadership experience.
• Experience leading and developing managers or multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience managing multiple programs, priorities, and organizational initiatives.
• Knowledge of Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), performance measurement, or related quality practices.
• Understanding of person-centered services, self-determination, independence, dignity, and community inclusion for people with I/DD.
• Strong strategic thinking, project management, communication, relationship-building, and decision-making skills.
• A demonstrated ability to turn strategy into practical action and measurable results.
• Experience in disability services, behavioral health, vocational rehabilitation, human services, or another mission-driven organization is strongly preferred.

What Success Looks Like

Success means STEP’s programs do more than provide activities or services—they create purposeful pathways toward greater independence and meaningful lives.

In this role, you will help STEP:

• Strengthen the quality and consistency of its programs.
• Build leadership capacity and accountability.
• Use data and feedback to continuously improve services.
• Expand opportunities for members to develop skills, relationships, confidence, and community connections.
• Create pathways toward employment and greater independence when desired by the member.
• Develop innovative programs that respond to evolving member needs.

This position offers a competitive salary (range = $95,000 – $110,000 annually, depending on experience) and benefits including Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance, 403(b) Retirement Plan with 5% match, Paid Time Off, Short & Long Term Disability Insurance, Life & AD&D Insurance, and Employee Assistance Program.

This position is based in Dearborn Heights, Michigan with regular travel to all STEP locations/offices.