Program Director

Youth Opportunity Investments, LLC • Nashville, TN

14h • Onsite

About The Position

The Program Director leads daily operations at Harpeth Primary Assessment Center under the direction of the Executive Director. The role oversees program administration, staffing, service coordination, safety, and compliance, supporting timely assessments, quality services, and positive outcomes for youth. The Program Director promotes staff accountability, effective communication, and a safe, trauma-responsive environment.

Youth Opportunity provides residential and behavioral health services for youth, supporting their physical and emotional well-being, social and family relationships, education, and independence. At Harpeth Primary Assessment Center, clinical, medical, educational, case management, and direct care teams coordinate assessment services and structured, trauma-responsive programming to support youth safety, stabilization, and individualized care.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• At least three years of experience working in a residential setting with children who have serious emotional disturbances or substance abuse concerns.
• Working knowledge of chemical dependency, substance abuse, and physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, including the ability to assist with youth assessments.
• Ability to supervise staff, coordinate services, manage competing priorities, and maintain a safe, accountable program environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and ability to work effectively with coworkers, families, referral sources, agency representatives, and youth.
• Ability to handle sensitive situations diplomatically and demonstrate respect for professional ethics, cultural differences, gender, and disabilities.
• Current First Aid/CPR certification or ability to obtain it.
• Ability to move throughout the property and participate in youth activities; meet the physical and emotional demands of supervising and supporting youth; and transport youth or staff.
• Ability to meet applicable state health requirements regarding communicable diseases, consistent with the law.
• Ability to pass the required physical techniques evaluation and written certification examination.
• Must maintain a valid state driver’s license and safe driving record.
• Must meet required state and local criminal background check requirements.
• Must be available to occasionally work extended, evening, or weekend hours.

Nice To Haves

• Prior supervisory experience in a related setting.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations across program departments and implement goals, priorities, and performance expectations established by the Executive Director.
• Monitor staffing, schedules, admissions, discharges, and service delivery to support timely and appropriate care.
• Ensure compliance with provider manuals, licensing rules, accreditation standards, contractual requirements, and applicable regulations; maintain audit-ready records and documentation.
• Develop standard, holiday, and alternative program schedules, monitor staff adherence, facilitate management meetings, and coordinate administrator-on-duty coverage.
• Coordinate visits, audits, and reviews; communicate operational needs, risks, and recommended solutions to the Executive Director; manage resources within approved budget targets.
• Lead and support managers, supervisors, teachers, clinicians, direct care staff, case managers, nursing staff, and other assigned employees.
• Participate in recruitment, hiring, onboarding, coaching, performance management, and corrective action in collaboration with Human Resources and the Executive Director.
• Develop staffing schedules for approval, participate in staffing meetings, maintain required staffing ratios, and coordinate coverage across departments.
• Monitor attendance, dress code, active supervision, and staff interactions with youth; ensure completion of training, coaching, and performance evaluations.
• Oversee Operations Meetings and All Staff Meetings and ensure staff follow documentation, incident reporting, confidentiality, and safety requirements.
• Coordinate clinical, medical, educational, case management, and direct care services, including assessment, referrals, treatment planning when indicated, crisis response, discharge planning, and continuity of care.
• Ensure clinical and psychological assessments are timely, accurate, and consistent with the program’s service model and required level of care.
• Coach the Clinical Director and Lead Nurse on service trackers, timeliness, trends, barriers, and follow-up; ensure required medical and dental screenings and visits are completed within Department of Children’s Services guidelines.
• Review youth alert status, observation precautions, restraint authorizations, and related documentation; support multidisciplinary treatment and review meetings.
• Participate in discipline and regional support reviews to address monitoring outcomes, quality improvement goals, and corrective strategies.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and appropriate environment; complete required facility walkthroughs and environmental safety inspections.
• Ensure compliance with emergency response, crisis intervention, infection control, medication safeguards, and environmental safety procedures.
• Serve as the point of contact for facility incidents; report incidents promptly, oversee response and notifications, preserve evidence, and ensure required documentation is completed before the end of the shift.
• Review video footage and incident records for critical incidents, restraints, and youth altercations within 24 hours; coordinate findings and reports with the Executive Director.
• Keep emergency plans current and ensure required drills, debriefings, and safety reviews are completed; identify incident trends and oversee risk-reduction actions.
• Communicate organizational priorities, policy changes, performance expectations, and operational decisions; maintain relationships with families, guardians, referral sources, community partners, and oversight agencies.
• Escalate significant incidents, staffing concerns, maintenance issues, licensing matters, and other operational risks; represent the program in meetings, consultations, audits, and community discussions as assigned.
• Protect youth rights, dignity, privacy, and confidentiality; oversee grievances and initial youth appeals and ensure timely resolution of complaints.
• Support family engagement, youth participation in care, access to services, and continuity of care; recommend and support program, strategic planning, and quality improvement efforts.
• Model appropriate behavior for youth; participate in required training, leadership meetings, committees, and professional development; report relationship concerns, physical interventions, and unusual incidents as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned or needed.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance available after 60 days of employment.
• 401(k) with a 100% employer match up to 4% of salary, available after 60 days, with immediate vesting.
• Paid time off earned at 4 hours each pay period.
• Seven paid holidays.
• Free prescription delivery.
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Supportive, mission-driven work environment.

What This Job Offers

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