VP of Education Services

JOB SUMMARY:
The Vice President of Education is an executive leader responsible for the strategic direction, operational excellence, and regulatory integrity of the agency's educational
programs across multiple school sites serving students who are primarily diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, this role is accountable for driving program growth, ensuring full compliance with all applicable state and federal special education requirements, supporting a positive culture and development of the workforce, and delivering high-quality, student-centered educational outcomes within a complex, direct-care environment. This position provides enterprise-level oversight of educational programming, including
multi-site leadership, budget management, staffing strategy, and cross-functional alignment with clinical, residential, and operational teams. The Vice President of
Education serves as the agency's primary representative to Departments of Education, Local Education Agencies (LEAs), and certain external partners, ensuring the organization maintains strong relationships, regulatory standing, and a competitive position within the special education landscape in CT and likely in other states.

WORK SCHEDULE:
Adelbrook is a 24/7 operating Agency. Schedules are flexible, may include early mornings, evenings, overnights, weekdays, weekends, holidays, and on call responsibilities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Provide visionary leadership for the agency's educational division, aligning programmatic strategy with organizational mission, core values, growth objectives, and long-term sustainability.
• Serve as an active member of the Executive Leadership Team, contributing to enterprise-wide decision-making, strategic planning, and organizational performance.
• Drive census growth and program utilization through strategic partnerships, market positioning, business development, and responsiveness to district needs.
• Responsible for Multi-Site Operations & Program Oversight.
• Oversee the performance and operations of multiple special education school programs, ensuring consistency in quality, service delivery, and student outcomes across sites.
• Lead and develop Directors of Education. Oversee and assure accountability for program execution, staff performance, and regulatory compliance.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to enrollment, staffing, student progress, and operational effectiveness.
• Maintain full compliance with all state Department of Education requirements for approved private special education programs, as well as all applicable federal and state regulations.
• Serve as the primary liaison with regulatory bodies, ensuring successful audits, renewals, and program approvals.
• Proactively identify compliance risks and implement corrective actions to ensure quality of services, continuous regulatory alignment, and program integrity.
• Develop, manage, and monitor multiple program budgets in partnership with the Finance
team, ensuring fiscal responsibility, resource optimization, and alignment with census and staffing models.
• Lead workforce planning for the education division, including staffing models, recruitment strategies, and succession planning in a high-demand, hard-to-staff
environment. Analyze financial and operational data to inform strategic decisions, including program expansion, staffing models, and service delivery adjustments.
• Oversee performance management, leadership development, and professional growth of education staff to ensure a highly skilled and engaged workforce that supports the agency's vision, mission, and values. Ensure all education staff are trained and compliant with required safety and crisis intervention protocols, including Physical and
Psychological Management Training (PMT). Model and reinforce best practices in de-escalation, student safety, and trauma-informed approaches within a direct care
educational setting.
• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement across all educational programs and in support of other agency programs.
• Align educational programming with behavioral, therapeutic, and support services to drive holistic student success.
• Serve as the agency's lead representative with Local Education Agencies (LEAs), state
Departments of Education, educational trade associations, and other external stakeholders. Build and maintain strong relationships with school districts, higher education institutions, and community partners to support referrals, program development, and workforce pipelines.
• Identify opportunities for program expansion, innovation, and service enhancement based
on market demand and student needs. Lead the development and implementation of new educational programs, ensuring alignment with regulatory standards and organizational capabilities.
• Enhance program visibility through strategic outreach, partnerships, and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
• Perform other duties as assigned, consistent with the scope and level of the position.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES:

SKILLS:
• Strategic planning and execution within complex, multi-site educational environments
• Financial management, including budget development, forecasting, and variance analysis
• Data-driven decision-making, including use of enrollment, staffing, and outcome metrics
• Talent management, including leadership development, performance management, and workforce planning
• Advanced communication and presentation skills, including executive-level reporting and stakeholder engagement
• Relationship management and partnership development with school districts (LEAs), regulatory agencies, and community organizations
• Program development and implementation, including scaling educational services in specialized populations
• Conflict resolution and problem-solving in high-stakes, fast-paced environments
• Change management and organizational transformation leadership
• Support and align with the agency's core values of compassion, collaboration, commitment, trust, safety, and expertise.

KNOWLEDGE:
• Deep understanding of special education laws and regulations, including Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), state Department of Education requirements, and private special education program approval standards
• Knowledge of educational models and best practices for students with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD)
• Familiarity with compliance frameworks, audit processes, and regulatory reporting requirements
• Understanding of census-driven program models, including referral pipelines and district engagement strategies
• Knowledge of staffing models in direct care and special education environments, including required ratios and credentialing
• Financial and operational knowledge related to nonprofit service delivery models
• Awareness of interdisciplinary service delivery, including integration of education, clinical, and residential services
• Ability to identify, support, coach, and develop leaders, especially new and emerging leaders.
• Knowledge of relevant special education and labor laws and systems in CT and ability to quickly learn and understand relevant systems in other states.

ABILITIES:
• Ability to lead at an executive level while maintaining visibility and engagement across multiple program sites
• Ability to balance strategic leadership with operational execution in a complex, compliance-driven environment
• Ability to drive accountability and performance through subordinate leaders (e.g., Directors of Education)
• Ability to manage competing priorities and make sound decisions under pressure
• Ability to represent the organization professionally in high-level external forums

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:
• Advanced degree in Education, Special Education, Educational Leadership, or related field; certified relevant state certifications as applicable
• Connecticut State Department of Education requirements for Approved Private Special
Education Programs (APSEP) under CGS §10-76d, commonly referred 1092 certified (092 with Special Education Certification).
• Minimum of 8-10+ years of progressive leadership experience in special education, with demonstrated advancement into senior or executive-level roles
• Prefer a minimum of 3+ years of experience overseeing multi-site educational programs or large-scale special education operations
• Proven experience managing programs serving students with autism spectrum disorder and/or intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)
• Valid driver's license with a clean record; ability to transport individuals safely
• Ability to obtain and maintain required certifications (PMT, First Aid, CPR; training provided)

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
• Work is performed across school, administration and group home settings
• May involve crisis response and physical intervention in accordance with training.
• Perform all requirements of physical management techniques (PMT)
• Regular standing, walking, lifting (up to 50 lbs), and active physical engagement required
• Exposure to behavioral challenges and crisis situations requiring PMT interventions
• Travel between locations required

A job description is not meant to be all inclusive of every task and/or responsibility

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.