Executive Director of Programs

Title: Special Education Executive Director of Programs

Position Type: Full-time

Location: Annandale, Virginia

What we do and offer our team:

PHILLIPS PROGRAMS Schools are private special education day schools for children with emotional and behavioral needs. PHILLIPS has a unique approach to special education. Our programs provide a place of relationship and belonging where students can be accepted; treated with compassion and respect. We offer competitive salaries, a comprehensive benefits package, and a mission-driven environment grounded in collaboration, accountability, and student-centered outcomes. 

What the Executive Director of Programs does:

The Executive Director of Programs serves as a senior leader across multiple campuses, responsible for aligning program quality, staff performance, and student outcomes across the organization within a therapeutic day‑school environment serving students with complex emotional, behavioral, and learning needs, with a strong emphasis on operational oversight, program consistency, and instructional quality. This is a highly hands-on leadership role requiring regular on-site presence across campuses, close collaboration with Program Directors, and active involvement in day-to-day program execution.

Duties:

• Program Direction/Operations: Develop and oversee day-to-day program operations across campuses, ensuring alignment, consistency, and high-quality implementation of academic and clinical programming. Establish and monitor systems to support operational effectiveness and continuous improvement.
• Supervision: Hire, supervise, and ensure performance of Program Directors. Develop day-to-day leadership of the Program Directors team and hold oversight of staff utilization and professional staff development within programs.
• Fiscal Management: Advocate for resources to enable program development, growth, and investment to meet strategic growth goals.
• Strategic Planning/Direction/Management: Develop, implement, and report annual program plans guided in part by PHILLIPS strategic plan and organizational goals. Set, monitor, and evaluate long and short-term objectives with Program Directors.
• Professional Development & Instructional Support: Lead the design, implementation, and evaluation of professional development initiatives to enhance academic programming, instructional quality, and staff performance across campuses.
• Regulatory Compliance & Oversight: Ensure full compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations related to special education and behavioral health services. Monitor program adherence to requirements, maintain documentation standards, and support campus leaders in meeting compliance expectations.
• Other Responsibilities: Participate on Directors Committee and special projects as needed. Collaborate internally with leadership teams and cross-functional partners to support program effectiveness and organizational goals. Perform other related duties as assigned.

• Master’s degree in a Special Education field
• 10+ years as a school administrator/leadership; preferably within special education and/or therapeutic or behavioral health settings, with demonstrated success overseeing multi-program or multi-site operations
• 10+ years supervisory experience
• Demonstrated experience developing and leading professional development for educators and program staff
• Self-directed, energetic, possesses the highest professional demeanor, problem solver
• Experience reflective of PHILLIPS values including integrity, compassion, and commitment