Area Director

Caregiver • Knoxville, TN

9d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Area Director (AD) is a field-based role accountable for safe, compliant, and high-quality service delivery across assigned programs, such as group homes or residential settings, host homes, and day programs where applicable. The position requires regular travel within assigned markets to provide on-site leadership and support operational excellence. The AD is responsible for operational execution, staffing performance, client outcomes, plan and incident management, authorizations, quality, compliance, and survey readiness in partnership with applicable departments.

The Area Director oversees daily service delivery, client care and plan implementation, environmental and program assessments, hiring and training, staffing and workforce management, care coordination, documentation, incident management, financial oversight, regulatory compliance, service authorizations and utilization, and stakeholder communication. The role collaborates across departments and with internal and external partners to support client outcomes, census growth and retention, and continuity of services.

This is a hybrid role. Normal business hours apply, with flexibility as required for weekends, non-business hours, or non-standard hours for special projects. Salary is $31–$36 per hour.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Healthcare Administration, Social Work, Psychology, Nursing, or a related field, as required by market.
• At least 3–5 years of progressive leadership or supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated ability to manage staffing and scheduling, performance management, compliance, and stakeholder communication.
• Strong leadership and coaching skills, including the ability to manage field-based teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Competency using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) or a similar platform.
• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods; standing and walking comprise 30% of work time.
• Ability to bend, push, pull, stoop, reach, and kneel; these activities comprise 20% of work time.
• Ability to grasp and perform finger and hand manipulation; these activities comprise 50% of work time.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to operate a computer, facsimile machine, copier, shredder, and calculator.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in a related field.
• Hands-on experience with person-centered planning, Individual Program Plans, or Person-Directed Plans.
• Experience supporting or participating in regulatory surveys, audits, or inspections.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day operations across assigned programs and homes to provide safe, compliant, person-centered care, intervening early to prevent escalation and service disruption.
• Monitor data sheets, progress toward goals, and changes in client condition; identify regression or progression and recommend plan adjustments and clinical interventions as appropriate.
• Partner with stakeholders to ensure Individual Program Plans and Person-Directed Plans are consistently implemented by Residential Coordinators and DSP teams, and that health and safety needs are addressed promptly.
• Conduct routine site visits to assess environmental conditions, life safety, and policy adherence, and drive corrective actions.
• Recruit, interview, and onboard new hires; ensure staff are trained, oriented, equipped, and competent to meet company, care, and compliance expectations.
• Monitor and enforce timely completion of required annual and ad-hoc company training.
• Manage schedules and coverage, reduce overtime, ensure accurate and timely timekeeping and payroll inputs, and verify employees maintain required credentials.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support area census growth and retention, seamless client onboarding, effective case management, and exceptional client experiences.
• Coordinate care with service coordinators, healthcare providers, behavioral health partners, and other stakeholders to provide integrated, person-centered support.
• Monitor timely updates to personal inventory records in compliance with state requirements.
• Support temporary and permanent moves for individuals through clinical planning, documentation, and stakeholder coordination to ensure smooth transitions and continuity of services.
• Ensure required documentation, including shift notes, progress notes, MARs or medication logs, vehicle logs, and timesheets, is complete and meets company and state standards.
• Ensure incident reports are accurate and timely, and mandatory reporting and abuse, neglect, and exploitation processes are followed and documented.
• Assist with employee investigations alongside the regional HR team, gathering relevant information and ensuring compliance with company policies and legal requirements.
• Review and approve client trust fund requests; oversee client funds processes, accuracy, policy adherence, and timely reconciliation; partner with finance and billing to resolve issues.
• Maintain survey and audit readiness; participate in surveys and inspections, respond promptly to deficiencies, and develop and implement corrective action plans with Quality Assurance.
• Monitor authorizations and service utilization, identify over- or under-utilization risks, and coordinate timely adjustments with applicable clinical, billing, and operations partners.
• Communicate effectively with guardians, families, service coordinators, and healthcare providers as needed, and document contacts and key updates appropriately.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager