Director of Administrative Operations

Lifeworks: Autism Services•Shaker Heights, OH

22h

About The Position

The Director of Administrative Operations is jointly responsible for all aspects of operations in and among the Lifeworks divisions, along with their corresponding senior leaders across all services. The Director of Administrative Operations provides senior‑level leadership in designing, implementing, and optimizing the administrative systems that support high‑quality service delivery across the entire agency. This role oversees agency‑wide operational infrastructure, workforce development systems, compliance frameworks, and cross‑department coordination. Serving as a strategic partner to executive leadership, the Director leads initiatives that strengthen organizational capacity, streamline administrative workflows, and enhance staff competency and retention. The Director of Administrative Operations develops and maintains relationships with Wingspan Care Group leaders, as well as internal and external stakeholders to ensure positive outcomes for Lifeworks workforce and service recipients.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
Ability to manage elements of business administration.
Independent Judgment: Demonstrate ability to perform job responsibilities with a high degree of initiative and independent judgment.
Interpersonal Communication: Communicates clearly using verbal, nonverbal, and written skills in a professional context; demonstrates clear understanding and use of professional language.
Problem-Solving & Decision-Making: Recognizes problems and responds appropriately; gathers information and sorts through it to identify and address root cause issues; makes timely decisions.
Knowledge of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Understands key characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder and applies knowledge when engaging, prompting, and supervising clients.
Cultural Competency: Demonstrates awareness, sensitivity and skills in working professionally with diverse individuals, groups and communities who represent various cultural and personal background and characteristics.
Combination of education, training and/or experience in working with individuals with autism spectrum disorders.
Management and program development experience required.
Experience working with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Experience training employees.
Experience managing programs or systems that are regulated by state or federal systems.

Responsibilities

Conduct organizational assessments to identify system needs, operational gaps, and opportunities for process improvement.
Understand each divisions requirements for service provision in order to ensure that all compliance and regulatory requirements continue to be maintained through ongoing practices, workflows, and are supported by administrative functions or efficiencies.
Oversee the creation and maintenance of standardized documentation practices, workflow guidelines, and administrative protocols as identified through monitoring.
Participate in Agency‑wide initiatives requiring collaboration across HR, Finance, Risk Management, IT, Development, and program leadership.
Maintain communication structures that promote transparency, efficiency, and shared accountability across departments.
Partner and coordinate with Human Resources on the following items: Implementing and monitoring a comprehensive agency‑wide workforce development strategy, including onboarding, competency‑based training, mentorship, and career pathways;
Establishing and maintaining agency‑wide training standards, including autism‑specific competencies and regulatory requirements;
Contributing to initiatives to improve staff retention, job satisfaction, and professional growth across all programs;
Helping to maintain oversight and coordination of hiring for applicable divisions, as needed;
Ensuring that all employees complete all mandatory trainings, in accordance with state regulations; and
Tracking and monitoring compliance with staff records, including but not limited to, privileging, evaluations, competencies, driving privileges and trainings, and certifications.
Partner and coordinate with Finance on the following items: Enhancing understanding of funding, billing practices, client benefits and personal finances to ensure workflow fulfill requirements and best practice for all stakeholders; and
Reviewing Agency profit and loss statements to inform department level decision making to improve outcomes for individual service recipients and monitor spending practices. Implementing new processes when applicable.
Partner and coordinate with the Risk Management, Compliance, and IT functions on the following items: Assisting in integration and optimization of administrative systems, including EHR, scheduling platforms, training systems, and data reporting tools;
Acting as a partner for health care initiatives including, but not limited to, EHR, medication administration training, documentation, continuing education, recordkeeping, processing of appointments, and pharmacy related activities;
Providing oversight of nursing functions that fulfill above requirements, as needed;
Participating in regular Wingspan meetings to represent the agency’s interests as it relates to PI Committee, EOP, and UI/MUI reviews; and
Maintaining oversight and completion of MUI/UI reporting for applicable divisions, as needed.
Partner and coordinate with the Facilities function on the following items: Participating in regular Wingspan meetings to represent the agency’s interests as it relates to Environment of Care, Infection Control, EOP, and OSHA;
Implementing and monitoring assigned action steps across applicable divisions; and
Conducting regular walkthroughs to ensure all facilities are exceeding standards to provide services to all services recipients and ensuring staff needs are met.
Partner and coordinate with the Development function on the following items; Representing the agency in high‑level partnerships with county boards, state agencies, residential providers, and community stakeholders;
Collaborating with Development to support community engagement, outreach, and agency visibility; and
Serving as a strategic liaison to external partners to advance agency initiatives and strengthen service.

Benefits

Comprehensive health and Rx plans, including a zero-cost option.
Wellness program including free preventative care
Generous paid time off and holidays
50% tuition reduction at Case Western Reserve University for the MNO and MSW programs
Defined benefit pension plan
403(b) retirement plan
Pet insurance
Employer paid life insurance and long-term disability
Employee Assistance Program
Support for continuing education and credential renewal
Ancillary benefits including: dental, vision, voluntary life, short term disability, hospital indemnity, accident, critical illness
Flexible Spending Account for Health and Dependent Care