Program Director

Ridge RTC • Milton, NH

4d

About The Position

The Program Director leads programming and residential operations at Ridge, a residential mental health treatment program for adolescents. The role ensures programming supports clinical goals and meets clients’ needs, and oversees a safe, structured, and nurturing environment. The Program Director supervises program, direct care, educational, experiential, and recreational staff, and coordinates closely with clinical, medical, and operations leaders to provide holistic care.

The position oversees staff development, crisis response, residential routines, educational and recreational activities, client transitions, family and community engagement, and regulatory compliance. The Program Director also works with the Admissions Team and Intake/Discharge Coordinators to support clients entering and leaving the program.

Requirements

• At least 5 years of experience in a residential or therapeutic setting.
• At least 3 years of experience in a supervisory role.
• Leadership skills that foster a culture of inclusivity and excellence.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Strong crisis management and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including nights and weekends, as needed.
• Ability to go up and down stairs to monitor clients on multiple floors.
• Physical capacity to assist people with mobility impairments as needed.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, healthcare administration, or a related field.
• CPR, First Aid, and crisis prevention/intervention certification.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Experience in program development, team training, and facilities management.

Responsibilities

• Ensure programming supports the clinical team’s therapeutic goals and is tailored to adolescents with mental health challenges.
• Develop engaging activities with the Program Manager and direct care staff that foster social skills, emotional regulation, and physical well-being.
• Maintain a consistent daily schedule balancing therapy, recreation, education, and downtime.
• Supervise Program Managers and direct care staff to maintain a safe, structured, and nurturing residential environment.
• Supervise the Education Manager and educational coordinators and ensure academic programming aligns with individual treatment goals and program structure.
• Maintain consistent daily routines across pods and programs, including schedules, transitions, meals, school, groups, recreation, and evening routines.
• Develop dorm routines and programming focused on life skills, peer relationships, and conflict resolution.
• Support direct care staff in behavior management and maintaining a structured environment.
• Conduct regular supervision, performance evaluations, and professional development for supervised staff.
• Address staffing needs, including scheduling, training, and conflict resolution, in collaboration with Human Resources and Program Managers.
• Oversee hiring and onboarding of Clinical Assistants and ensure training in Ridge’s therapeutic model, safety procedures, and program structure.
• Ensure staff receive training in trauma-informed care, behavior management, and crisis intervention.
• Respond as tier 3 to escalated situations and client crises using de-escalation techniques and coordinating with clinical and emergency services as needed.
• Provide crisis management training and support to staff, and maintain detailed incident documentation that is reviewed and addressed according to policy.
• Collaborate with the Clinical Director to align programming with clients’ therapeutic goals.
• Work with the Director of Nursing to accommodate clients’ medical needs or restrictions.
• Coordinate with the Operations Director to ensure facilities, materials, and resources are available and maintained.
• Ensure educational staff have resources to support students with differing academic achievement levels and emotional or behavioral challenges.
• Supervise experiential and recreational staff in designing and delivering therapeutic recreational activities, including outdoor excursions, art programs, sports, and team-building exercises.
• Collaborate with the Admissions Team and Intake/Discharge Coordinators to facilitate client entry and exit.
• Prepare programming, residential life, and educational teams to support each new client’s transition into the program.
• Participate in intake and discharge meetings and provide information on program expectations, dorm assignments, and initial support strategies.
• Serve as a family contact for non-clinical programming, including education, recreation, and residential life.
• Maintain positive relationships with community partners and external agencies to support program initiatives and client needs.
• Ensure programming, staff operations, and residential life services comply with state and federal regulations for adolescent residential treatment facilities.
• Maintain knowledge of licensing requirements and accreditation standards and ensure programming meets or exceeds expectations.
• Conduct regular audits of program operations and documentation to maintain compliance and address deficiencies.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• 401(k) with 4% match.
• Paid time off, including vacation, holidays, and illness.
• Chef-made meals onsite.
• Professional trainings for development.
• Continuing education assistance for clinicians.
• Supportive clinical supervision and professional development.

What This Job Offers

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