Director, Monarch Horizons (Residential & Day Programs)

Location: Houston, Texas | Department: Monarch Horizons – Adult Residential & Day Programs | Reports To: Head of School & Institute | Employment Type: Full-time, Exempt

About Monarch

The Monarch School & Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals with neurological differences through innovative, therapeutic education and dignified, independent residential living. Monarch Horizons extends the school’s learner-centered philosophy into an intentional, independent supportive living setting offering one-bedroom apartments, vibrant community life, and purposeful day programming.

Position Summary

The Director of Monarch Horizons provides executive leadership for the adult Residential and Day Programs, translating Monarch’s vision into a high-performing, safe, and joyful community where adults with neurological differences thrive. This leader is responsible for strategy, operations, staffing, safety & compliance, financial stewardship, admissions, family engagement, technology enablement, and development support (including capital campaign participation). The Director builds strong partnerships across Monarch, families, community organizations, and funders while championing person-centered planning and measurable outcomes in independence, employability, and quality of life.

Model of Care

Monarch Horizons is an Independent Supportive Living community (private pay). Staff provide safety oversight, community engagement, coordination, and skill-building—not personal care services (e.g., bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, transferring, or medication administration). The Director ensures ongoing evaluation of service scope and regulatory implications in the case where levels of service may evolve.

Key Outcomes

• Launch and operate a high-quality, resident-centered program that meets occupancy, safety, and satisfaction targets.
• Establish and monitor program metrics (independence goals, day program participation, employment/internship placements, incident rates, family satisfaction, staff retention).
• Build a value-driven culture for Residential Faculty and Day Program teams; implement onboarding, training, and coaching frameworks.
• Implement robust policies & procedures for safety, emergency readiness, technology, visitor protocols, and privacy (HIPAA-aligned).
• Partner with Advancement on the capital campaign: articulate program impact, support donor engagement, and contribute to case materials and site visits.
• Work closely with Monarch’s Business Office to achieve financial sustainability: accurate budgeting, private-pay billing integrity, cost controls, and operating discipline.
• Work closely with Monarch’s Facility / IT Director on technology, security, and facility matters.

Primary Responsibilities Strategic Leadership & Program Development

• Translate Monarch’s mission and guiding principles into cohesive Residential and Day Program strategies, annual plans, and Key Performance Indicators, “KPIs”.
• Lead multi-year program growth, service design, and integration with Monarch’s educational ecosystem (e.g., EMERGE Day Program and Monarch’s Four Core Goal Methodology).
• Drive continuous improvement using resident outcomes, family feedback, and best practices in neurodiversity-affirming supports.

Operations, Resident Experience & Admissions

• Oversee daily operations for the apartment community and day program: schedules, activity plans, transportation coordination, meal collaboration, and community norms.
• Working with Monarch’s Director of Admissions, ensure admissions & resident selection processes are evidence-based, equitable, and transparent; organize tours, interviews, and home visits as needed; coordinate lease invitations.
• Maintain high standards for community engagement (clubs, outings, employment readiness, internships, volunteerism) and resident independence skill-building.
• May be required to be on call as well as other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Requirements

• Responsible for hiring and supervising a dedicated and talented team of coordinators, residential faculty, day program facilitators and various support staff.
• Responsible for ensuring employees are trained and implementing appropriate practices regarding First Aid, CPR, Abuse/Neglect Prevention and Identification, Mandatory Reporting, etc.
• Safety Care / Nonviolent Crisis Intervention and various training courses will be provided
• Lead the team implementing Monarch Goal setting and focus on Monarch’s Four Core Goal Methodology.

Qualifications Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Special Education focusing on Adult Services, Healthcare, or Nonprofit Administration, Business Administration, or related field.
• 7+ years of progressive leadership in adult residential, adult day services, disability services, senior living, or community-based programs; proven multiteam supervision experience.
• Deep understanding of rules and regulations in the state of Texas regarding intentional living communities versus assisted living facilities.
• Demonstrated success in program operations, staff leadership, family engagement, policy development, budget management, and metric-driven improvement.
• Knowledge of person-centered planning, independence skill-building, and neurodiversity-affirming practices.
• Strong communication, conflict resolution, and crisis management skills; ability to remain calm and decisive.
• Valid Texas driver’s license with satisfactory record; ability to pass background checks, adult/child abuse registry screens, and drug testing.
• Training in First Aid, CPR, Mandatory Reporting Certification.
• Safety Care /Nonviolent Crisis Intervention and various training courses will be provided.

Preferred

• Master’s degree (e.g., Nonprofit Management, Special Education focusing on adult services, Public Health/Healthcare Administration, Social Work, Business).
• Experience with capital campaigns, donor engagement, and public-facing program representation supporting Monarch’s Director of Advancement.
• Familiarity with Texas Health & Safety and Health and Human Services, “HHS” frameworks relevant to adult residential/day programs; HIPAA practices.
• Knowledge of and experience with the Texas Workforce Commission.
• Experience implementing assistive technology, building security systems, and data dashboards.