State Director Adult Intellectual and Developmental Disablities Programs Job Opening at The Mentor Network in Matteson, IL

For over 17 years Illinois MENTOR Community Services has provided services to adults with intellectual disabilities. Our services include crisis intervention, respite, case management, residential programs, Host Home Services, and supported living services. Our strategy of marrying our mission and values with business discipline and capital creation is unique; enabling the organization to invest in systems that make excellence possible -- and we apply those systems in a way that directly benefits people with a range of needs, with impressive results. Illinois MENTOR Community Services is part of The MENTOR Network, a national network of local human services providers offering an array of quality, community-based services.

This high profile role -- considered the most critical role at The MENTOR Network -- offers you the opportunity to showcase your leadership skills as you build on successful social services programs to grow and diversify our operations. You will enjoy the best of both worlds: overseeing the delivery of quality, outcome oriented social services, and the resources and entrepreneurial spirit of a $1 billion for-profit company. For example, you'll network and share ideas with a large pool of great professionals, peers and leaders in 36 states. If you're coming from the public or non-profit sector, you'll expand your knowledge of managing social services as a business.

You will oversee all aspects of Illinois MENTOR Community Services operations, which serves participants in adult Host Homes who have intellectual or developmental disabilities. Additionally, individuals may have complex medical or behavioral support needs.

Keys to Success

This role requires both social services expertise and solid administrative skills, but just as important will be your entrepreneurial approach to leadership, including seeing the possibilities and rallying your team to respond. In order to be an outstanding State Director, you will:

• Develop your people to create high performing, loyal teams.
• Establish yourself as a human services industry leader with the ability to influence internal and external stakeholders.
• Drive results, including maintaining consistently high service levels while effectively balancing competing interests.

To be a good fit for this opportunity you will have a master's degree in Social Work, Social Services, or similar field, and a track record of success at the director level managing multi-site programs across a wide geographic area. A bachelor's degree in a relevant field with extensive experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree. We're looking for a professional who combines their commitment to quality social services with a desire to expand and reach even more people.

What Else You'll Bring to the Table

In addition to the qualifications detailed above, you'll need:

• Broad-based experience in human service operations, either on provider or public side, and thorough understanding of government funded service systems.
• Exceptional leadership skills and a demonstrated ability to manage individuals and teams remotely.
• A functional understanding of budgets; the ideal candidate will have been accountable for P&L and budget responsibility, and have experience managing a business unit through financial reporting and key indicators.
• Experience building and maintaining high-level relationships; existing relationships within government and human services agencies would be helpful.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize a variety of activities and actions.
• Solid interpersonal and relationship building skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities.
• Rational and logical problem solving skills, including the ability to identify root causes, consider alternatives and make quality decisions.
• The ability to:
  • Leverage internal, peer and external networks.
  • Deal with complex issues and environments.
  • Handle sensitive issues and crises in a calm, assertive manner.

Preferred but not required:

• A varied business background including both private sector and human services experience.
• Experience with program development or growth, diversification, or grant writing.

Our preference is that you are based near our state offices in Matteson IL, but you could live anywhere in Illinois. You will need to be willing and able to travel up to 50% of the time, both driving and flying, to interact face-to-face with staff in northern, central and southern IL. In addition to visiting each location regularly, you may need to travel on short notice in response to emergent issues. You will also meet with state leaders in Springfield and Chicago, and may travel outside IL as needed for company business.

If this sounds like the right mix of challenge and opportunity for you, and you meet the minimum qualifications, we want to hear from you!

EOE/AAE