Business Development Specialist

Leadership And Operational Direction For Designated Coordinator Team

This position will provide leadership and operational direction to the Designated Coordinator team, establish accountability across the department, oversee internal compliance processes, and develop strategies to expand AAC's client base and service capacity.

The successful candidate will bring strong experience in operations, team leadership, business development, and process improvement. Previous experience with Minnesota DHS or 245D programs is not required. Comprehensive training will be provided; however, the individual must demonstrate the ability to learn and apply regulatory requirements within a licensed service environment.

The position will work in partnership with executive leadership and AAC's qualified Designated Manager to ensure operational practices support regulatory compliance, service quality, and organizational growth.

Essential Responsibilities

Department Leadership and Accountability

• Provide leadership, guidance, and operational support to the Designated Coordinator team.
• Establish measurable department goals, performance expectations, deadlines, and accountability standards.
• Conduct regular individual and team meetings to review priorities, client needs, staffing concerns, and performance.
• Monitor departmental performance and ensure assigned responsibilities are completed accurately and within established timelines.
• Provide coaching, professional development, and performance feedback to department employees.
• Address workflow challenges and escalate performance or employee-relations concerns to Human Resources and executive leadership.
• Promote a professional, collaborative, and accountable department culture.

Operations and Process Improvement

• Evaluate 245D department operations and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, consistency, and service quality.
• Develop, implement, and maintain effective workflows, tracking systems, communication standards, and accountability processes.
• Ensure client needs, employee availability, staffing priorities, open service hours, and departmental assignments are accurately tracked.
• Strengthen coordination among the 245D department, Human Resources, Payroll, Finance, and executive leadership.
• Monitor operational deadlines, outstanding action items, and departmental performance indicators.
• Prepare regular reports regarding department progress, operational barriers, risks, and recommended solutions.
• Lead implementation of approved process improvements and organizational initiatives.

Compliance and Quality Oversight

• Lead internal 245D compliance and quality-assurance activities in coordination with AAC's qualified Designated Manager.
• Monitor employee training, service documentation, incident reporting, personnel requirements, and other assigned compliance activities.
• Conduct routine employee-file, client-file, service-documentation, and site audits.
• Develop corrective action plans, assign responsible parties, and monitor completion.
• Support preparation for licensing reviews, DHS visits, investigations, and internal audits.
• Assist with implementation of updated policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Promptly communicate compliance concerns, operational risks, and recurring trends to executive leadership and the qualified Designated Manager.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records of audits, corrective actions, and compliance-related activities.

Business Development and Program Growth

• Develop and implement strategies to expand AAC's 245D programs, client base, referral network, and service capacity.
• Establish and maintain professional relationships with counties, case managers, referral sources, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Identify new referral opportunities and support the client intake and service-start process.
• Monitor referrals, admissions, open service hours, staffing capacity, and client-conversion activity.
• Collaborate with Human Resources and Recruiting to align hiring efforts with current and anticipated program needs.
• Develop strategies to improve employee retention, client retention, and service continuity.
• Support program expansion and implementation of new service opportunities.
• Establish growth goals and provide executive leadership with regular progress reports.

Client and Stakeholder Relations

• Support timely and professional communication with clients, guardians, case managers, employees, and community partners.
• Monitor client intake, service initiation, staffing needs, and unresolved service concerns.
• Identify and address operational barriers that affect service delivery or client satisfaction.
• Promote person-centered, respectful, responsive, and dependable services.
• Represent AAC professionally during meetings, site visits, community events, and external partnerships.

Requirements

• Equivalent professional experience in operations, business development, program management, or team leadership may be considered.
• At least three years of progressive experience in operations, business development, program coordination, management, or employee supervision preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading teams, establishing performance expectations, and creating accountability.
• Experience developing workflows, improving processes, and monitoring organizational performance.
• Strong leadership, communication, organization, analysis, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, projects, locations, and deadlines.
• Ability to learn and apply regulatory requirements, policies, and technical systems.
• Sound professional judgment and the ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, email, shared tracking systems, and electronic records.
• Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and the ability to travel between AAC locations.