Description

The Senior Director of Community Living provides strategic and operational leadership for The Arc Baltimore's Community Living services, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, person-directed residential supports that empower people with developmental disabilities to live meaningful, self-directed lives in their communities. The Senior Director is responsible for the overall performance, quality, compliance, financial stewardship, and growth of Community Living programs while fostering a culture of dignity, inclusion, innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.

This position ensures services consistently align with Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) regulations and The Arc Baltimore's mission and values. The Senior Director partners closely with cross-functional departments to advance strategic initiatives, strengthen organizational performance, and expand opportunities for the people we support to achieve greater independence, community integration, and the highest quality of life.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership
• Develop and execute departmental goals that align with The Arc Baltimore's strategic plan and organizational priorities.
• Identify opportunities to expand, strengthen, and innovate Community Living services based on emerging needs, industry best practices, and regulatory changes.
• Lead organizational initiatives that improve service quality, operational effectiveness, and person-directed outcomes.
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

Operational Leadership
• Direct the day-to-day operations of Community Living, ensuring high-quality, person-directed service delivery.
• Provide leadership, coaching, supervision, and professional development to Community Living Directors.
• Develop systems and processes that improve efficiency, consistency, communication, and service quality.
• Ensure appropriate staffing models and effective deployment of resources across Community Living.

Person-Directed Services
• Champion person-directed practices that promote choice, self-determination, independence, dignity, and community inclusion.
• Ensure services are individualized and driven by each person's goals, preferences, strengths, and assessed needs.
• Promote meaningful community engagement and opportunities for people supported to achieve their desired outcomes.
• Ensure services reflect current evidence-based practices.

Regulatory Compliance and Quality Management
• Ensure compliance with Maryland DDA regulations, COMAR requirements, Medicaid Waiver standards, licensing requirements, accreditation standards, and organizational policies.
• Lead quality assurance and continuous quality improvement initiatives across Community Living.
• Oversee corrective action plans and risk mitigation activities.
• Prepare for and participate in regulatory reviews, audits, and licensing inspections.

Financial Management
• Develop, manage, and monitor departmental operating budgets.
• Ensure responsible stewardship of organizational resources.
• Monitor staffing utilization, overtime, vacancy management, and financial performance.
• Partner with Finance to develop annual budgets, forecasts, and long-range financial planning.
• Identify operational efficiencies while maintaining exceptional quality of care.

Leadership and Workforce Development
• Recruit, develop, mentor, and retain a high-performing team.
• Build leadership capacity through coaching, succession planning, and professional development.
• Partner with Human Resources to improve recruitment, retention, onboarding, and leadership development strategies.
• Ensure leaders consistently demonstrate The Arc Baltimore's values and leadership expectations.

Collaboration and Partnership
• Collaborate with Clinical Services, Quality, Human Resources, Finance, Facilities, and other departments to ensure coordinated service delivery.
• Develop strong relationships with people supported, families, guardians, Coordinators of Community Services (CCS), and community partners.
• Represent The Arc Baltimore on committees, professional organizations, and community initiatives.
• Build partnerships that expand opportunities for community integration and quality supports.

Performance Management
• Establish departmental goals and measurable performance expectations.
• Lead corrective action and performance improvement initiatives when necessary.
• Promote a data-informed culture focused on measurable outcomes and accountability.

Health, Safety, and Risk Management
• Ensure the health, safety, and well-being of people supported and staff.
• Oversee emergency preparedness, crisis response, and organizational risk management activities.
• Ensure timely reporting, investigation, and resolution of incidents.
• Promote proactive identification and mitigation of operational risks.

Organizational Leadership
• Participate in organizational strategic planning, policy development, and decision-making.
• Support change management initiatives that improve organizational effectiveness.
• Model The Arc Baltimore's mission, vision, values, and commitment to person-directed services.

EDUCATION /SKILLS/ EXPERIENCE:

Education
• Bachelor's degree in a related field required.
• Master's degree in Human Services, Social Work, Rehabilitation, Healthcare Administration, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.

Experience
• Minimum of 8 years of leadership experience in developmental disabilities, behavioral health, human services, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years leading programs, departments, or operational divisions.
• Demonstrated experience managing large teams through subordinate leaders.
• Experience with Maryland DDA services, Medicaid Waiver programs, and residential services are strongly preferred.
• Proven experience leading organizational change and quality improvement initiatives.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
• Regular travel throughout The Arc Baltimore service locations.
• Occasional evening and weekend work as operational needs require.
• Ability to respond to emergencies and critical incidents outside normal business hours.