Senior Director of Programs

The King’s Daughters’ School (KDS) invites applicants to consider a position that permanently and positively changes the trajectory of the lives of students with intellectual disabilities and autism. A member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Senior Director of Programs reports directly to the Executive Director, providing strategic leadership for educational and residential programming. Focusing on structure, round-the-clock individualized programming, and loving care, KDS continues a 100-year legacy of service by equipping students with special needs to live as independently as possible.

KDS offers co-ed programming for students from across the US and abroad, all in the heart of Columbia, Tennessee, a community located in one of the fastest-growing regions in the US. KDS’s Main Campus provides educational and residential services for school-aged, young adult, and adult students with developmental disabilities, while its Center for Autism remains Tennessee’s only residential autism school, with daily living and academic services to school-aged students with Level 3 Autism Spectrum Disorders.

The Opportunity and Requirements of the Position

The Senior Director of Programs oversees the Principal, Residential Director, Center for Autism Director, and Recreational Therapist. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Senior Director of Programs will be expected to perform these essential functions:

• Advance the KDS mission and legacy to retain and enhance its excellent reputation through high-quality educational and residential services
• Motivate, evaluate and mentor a strong and cohesive team of direct reports
• Empower direct reports to troubleshoot and solve problems, especially in emergency situations
• Ensure compliance with Dept of Children’s Services, Licensure, and Accreditation requirements that pertain to educational and residential program administration
• Problem-solve with parents and staff members regarding individual and programmatic challenges
• Participate in, create plans for, ensure compliance with, and work with other Dept. Heads (and staff members) on individual treatment team plans, organization program models, and overall programmatic milieu and practices
• Provide data-gathering models and ensure collection, reporting, and use of appropriate data for all educational and residential aspects of the program
• Educate KDS on innovative educational and residential programming that is based upon evidence-based practices, individual student needs, and high levels of positive and caring staff engagement, ensuring its implementation on both campuses.
• Evaluate, design and implement programs for residents in the Young Adult Academy Program (individuals ages 22-40) and Adult Lifestyles Program (individuals over age 40)
• Work to support the program that involves all students at KDS in campus- and community-based enterprise, providing quality job readiness activities
• Ensure Dept. Heads implement a quality employee experience (including robust, well-documented staff engagement, and honest, behavior-based evaluations that are focused on constant improvement and growth as both an individual and a team)
• Understand the inherent risk in the programmatic aspects of the program, and work with staff at all levels to minimize risk while maximizing program benefit for students
• Work cooperatively with the three other members of the Senior Leadership Team to ensure program needs, across all areas are fully integrated across the educational and residential programs
• Serve as a member of the Performance and Quality Improvement (PQI) group to improve KDS processes and outcomes
• Serve as a member of the Main Campus and Center for Autism Treatment Teams, the Admissions Committee and the Risk Prevention Review Committee
• Be on-call and available in-person as needed in emergencies

 The Following Personal and Professional Characteristics of the Position are Key:

• A management style characterized by inclusiveness, sensitivity, humor and flexibility combined with appropriate decisiveness, accountability and delegation
• A demonstrated capacity to communicate orally and in writing with tact, consistency, clarity and inspiration with co-workers, clients, families, and the general public
• Strategic, “outside of the box” thinking with an eye towards continuous improvement
• A proven track record in his/her personal and professional life that reflects a compassionate and passionate commitment to promoting the independence (or full potential) of people with disabilities
• An advocate of public policies that improve the lives of people of all ages with developmental disabilities 
• The highest ethical, moral and professional standards including the ability to accept responsibility and exercise sound judgement at all times
• A keen eye for the proactive maintenance of and improvements to facilities to meet ongoing and future programmatic needs
• The ability to think and act quickly and decisively in the event of an emergency.

Credentials and Experience

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education, Psychology, Social Work, or Guidance and Counseling or related field
• Experience in the direct care of vulnerable populations (in a residential setting preferred)
• Familiarity with best practices in hiring, human resources and staff training especially in the special education or residential living fields
• Knowledge of employee labor law and ensuring its implementation across the organization
• Expertise in data collection, interpretation, and presentation

An Invitation to Apply

The Senior Director of Programs will be expected to assume responsibility in Spring-Summer 2025. The cash compensation and benefit package will be competitive, similar to what Senior Directors of Programs of similar organizations in the region earn.

Please provide a CV, Cover Letter, Statement of Philosophy and three references. Electronic submission is preferred. Inquiries are strictly confidential and should be directed to:

John C. Littleford, Senior Partner, Littleford & Associates: [email protected]

 The King’s Daughters’ School is an Equal Opportunity Employer