Executive Director, DC Programs

Description Executive Director, DC Programs Innovative Life Solutions / DC Programs / Washington, DC / Full-time Position title: Executive Director, DC Programs Entity brand: Innovative Life Solutions Department: DC Programs Location: Washington, DC; DC program sites Reports to: Chief Operating Officer Supervises: Residential Director; Program Directors Employment type: Full-time FLSA status: Exempt Schedule: Standard business hours, with availability for site visits and urgent program matters Work setting: Office and residential and day program sites Effective date: October 6, 2026 THE ROLE IN BRIEF The Executive Director leads the operational and clinical performance of Innovative Life Solutions DC programs serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and related behavioral health or medical needs.

Reporting to the COO, this leader is accountable for safe, person-centered services, regulatory readiness, staff leadership, fiscal stewardship and program growth, and represents the organization with participants, families, guardians, referral sources, funders and oversight agencies. About Innovative Life and why your role matters Innovative Life empowers people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and behavioral health needs to live meaningful, self-directed lives.

Across DC, Maryland and New Jersey, we provide residential, day habilitation, behavioral, community inclusion, employment readiness and individualized day services, and we measure our success by the outcomes we create: better quality of life, stronger community connection and real progress for the people we support. Our work is guided by five values we call I-CARE: Innovation, Commitment, Attitude, Respect and Excellence.

Every role at Innovative Life exists to make that mission someone's real experience. Whether you support a person directly, keep a home or program running, or work behind the scenes in an office, the quality of your work shapes what the people we support, and their families experience every day. That is why this role matters, and it is why we take the time to be clear about what it involves.

How we work at Innovative Life Here is what you can count on from us: clear expectations, honest and timely feedback, the support and training you need to do your job well, and leaders who hold themselves accountable before expecting it of anyone else. Here is what we count on from you: Communicate clearly and on time, so the right people have what they need when they need it.

Own your work: know what you are responsible for, follow through, and raise problems early. Work as one team across departments and treat every handoff as shared. Follow the current approved process and speak up when it is not working so we can fix it together. Treat the people we support, their families and your colleagues with respect, integrity and care, every time.

What you'll do

Leadership and operations Lead residential and other assigned DC programs through clear goals, staffing plans, supervision and routine review of service quality and outcomes. Supervise, coach and evaluate direct reports; hold them accountable for timely documentation, incident follow-up, corrective actions and staff development.

Partner with finance and the COO on budgets, census, staffing, overtime, resource allocation and sustainable expansion; monitor operating results and recommend corrective action. Coordinate with human resources, quality assurance, nursing and program teams to maintain qualified staff, training completion and effective cross-functional workflows.

Clinical leadership and care coordination Provide clinical perspective on complex cases, behavioral health needs, risk and service planning, while respecting the responsibilities of treating clinicians, nursing staff and interdisciplinary teams. Oversee systems for timely assessments, individualized plans, clinical consultation, escalation and follow-through on significant changes in condition.

Strengthen communication and handoffs among providers, hospitals, families or guardians and internal teams during admissions, hospitalizations, discharge and return to services, including medication and follow-up information. Guide trauma-informed, person-centered approaches, and support staff in responding to behavioral health concerns, crises and barriers to community participation.

Review clinical and operational trends, including incidents, hospital use, grievances and care transitions, and lead improvements with nursing and quality assurance. Compliance and quality Ensure assigned programs meet applicable licensing, payer, contract, accreditation, privacy and organizational requirements; coordinate survey and audit preparation and responses.

Oversee timely incident reporting, investigations, corrective action implementation and monitoring, in partnership with quality assurance and clinical leaders. Use data, record reviews, site visits and feedback from people supported to assess outcomes, identify risks and report progress to the COO and senior leadership.

External relations and growth Maintain productive relationships with DC agencies, hospitals, community partners, funders and other stakeholders. Support referrals, new service opportunities and responsible program expansion; contribute operational and clinical input to proposals and implementation plans. Represent Innovative Life Solutions professionally in meetings, and communicate program needs, results and improvement plans accurately.

How we'll measure success together Reviewed at approximately 90 days and annually thereafter, with additional reviews as needed. Regulatory readiness. Every licensing survey and audit closed with an accepted plan of correction by its deadline, measured from survey results and QA records. Incident follow-through. Incidents reported within the required window and corrective actions closed on schedule, measured from the QA tracker each quarter.

Care transitions. Every hospitalization and discharge has a documented handoff and follow-up plan, measured by quarterly record review with nursing. Fiscal stewardship . Programs operate within approved budget, with census and overtime reviewed monthly with finance and the COO. Team strength. Direct reports evaluated on schedule and program staff current on required training, measured from HR and learning system reports.

Requirements

What you bring Required Current, unrestricted DC clinical license as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), or eligibility to obtain it before starting work. Applicants licensed elsewhere must meet DC requirements. At least 10 years of progressive leadership in human services or healthcare, including senior responsibility for multi-program operations, teams, budgets and quality outcomes.

Demonstrated experience supporting adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities and co-occurring behavioral health or complex medical needs. Experience with interdisciplinary care, crisis response, clinical oversight, regulatory compliance, and collaboration with public agencies and external providers. Preferred Master's degree in social work, counseling or a closely related clinical human services field.

Experience leading DC Medicaid-funded residential, waiver, intermediate care or related community-based services. Experience with licensing surveys, accreditation, performance improvement and program development. The qualities that matter most here You bring sound clinical and operational judgment, and you know when to decide and when to escalate.

You read data well and turn trends into clear, practical improvement plans. You write clearly, lead diverse teams and keep competing priorities moving. You bring a positive, professional attitude and treat every interaction as one that matters. You honor the dignity, individuality and voice of every person you work with.

You follow through on what you commit to and hold yourself to a high standard. You keep learning and stay open to new approaches that make our supports better. You work as one team and treat your colleagues the way you would want to be treated. Credentials, clearances and training REQUIREMENTS: DC clinical license (LICSW or LPC), current and unrestricted: secured before start date; maintained throughout Background check and required clearances: secured before start date Health documentation and any applicable testing requirements: secured before start date CPR and First Aid: Maintain current CPR and First Aid certification throughout employment and renew before the certification expiration date.

Crisis prevention or intervention training, as applicable: As required annually, with certifications kept active. Organization-required orientation and training: Complete all required orientation and training within established deadlines and maintain ongoing training requirements throughout employment in accordance with organizational policies and applicable DDS requirements.

Working conditions Environment: Office, with regular time at residential and day program sites across DC Physical: Prolonged computer use; walking and standing during site visits Travel: Between DC program sites, hospitals, and agency and partner meetings Schedule: Available for site visits and urgent program matters outside standard hours, consistent with the responsibilities of the role Reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities so they can perform the essential functions of the role, consistent with applicable law.

What we offer

Semi-Monthly, on the 15th and the last day of each month.

Benefits

Eligible employees receive medical, dental, and vision insurance; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; and access to a retirement plan, subject to plan eligibility requirements. Growth: Ongoing internal training and company-sponsored external courses, seminars, and workshops aligned with the position and responsibilities, subject to approval, support continued professional development and success in the role.

Additional Position Information The Executive Director protects confidential information about the people we support, employees and organizational operations, and uses or discloses it only as authorized by law and company policy. Organizational materials remain the property of Innovative Life Solutions. The Executive Director follows all organizational policies, including confidentiality and professional boundaries.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Innovative Life Solutions is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities throughout the hiring process and employment.