Senior Director of Operations

Senior Director of Operations

Location: East Hanover, NJ

Job Type: Full Time | Director Level

ABOUT PILLAR CARE CONTINUUM

Pillar Care Continuum is dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with disabilities and other special needs by supporting personal growth, independence and participation in the community. Founded in 1953 to meet the needs of children with cerebral palsy and their families, Pillar Care has steadily grown and now delivers life-affirming services to infants, children, adults and their families throughout northern New Jersey through 27 program locations. Pillar Care provides specialized programs to meet a wide range of educational, therapeutic, and social needs of people with various disabilities. The agency serves over 1,650 families each year and employs 700 full- and part-time employees.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

The Senior Director of Operations provides strategic and operational leadership for Adult Services programs at Pillar Care Continuum. This role oversees daily operations, financial performance, regulatory compliance, and quality outcomes while driving program growth, innovation, and continuous improvement. The position partners closely with executive leadership, leads and develops management teams, manages budgets and resources, ensures compliance with federal and New Jersey regulations, and represents the organization with community partners and stakeholders. The ideal candidate brings strong nonprofit or disability services leadership experience, financial and operational expertise, and a commitment to high-quality, person-centered care.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Develop and execute operational strategies aligned with the organization’s mission, values, and regulatory requirements.
• Partner with executive leadership to establish short- and long-term priorities for growth, innovation, and quality improvement.
• Oversee daily operations of Adult Services programs to ensure consistent, high-quality service delivery.
• Evaluate program performance, outcomes, and effectiveness; recommend and implement enhancements as needed.
• Provide data-driven reports, insights, and strategic recommendations to the CEO.

Financial & Resource Management

• Provide fiscal oversight including budgeting, forecasting, and resource allocation.
• Collaborate with Finance to manage program budgets, monitor financial performance, and ensure sustainability.
• Identify opportunities for cost efficiency, revenue growth, and program expansion while maintaining service quality.

Compliance, Quality & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations, accreditation standards, and organizational policies.
• Partner with Quality Assurance to monitor outcomes, regulatory adherence, and accreditation requirements.
• Proactively identify and address compliance risks and operational challenges.
• Implement corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead, mentor, and support program managers, supervisors, and leadership teams.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and professional excellence.
• Ensure staff receive appropriate training, supervision, and professional development.
• Build leadership capacity to support succession planning and long-term sustainability.

External Relations & Advocacy

• Cultivate strong relationships with community partners, government agencies, funders, and advocacy organizations.
• Represent Pillar Care Continuum at conferences, public forums, and industry events.
• Advocate for the rights, inclusion, and well-being of individuals with disabilities.
• Stay informed of emerging trends, policy changes, and best practices in disability services.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in Social Work, Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• 7–10 years of progressive leadership experience in nonprofit or human services, preferably within disability services.
• Strong knowledge of adult disability services, including residential and community-based programs.
• In-depth understanding of nonprofit operations, budgeting, and regulatory environments.
• Knowledge of New Jersey regulations and agencies (e.g., DDD, DOE, DOH).
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, manage complex operations, and drive organizational change.
• Strong strategic, analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated success building partnerships and aligning stakeholders.
• Familiarity with technology solutions that enhance service delivery and outcomes.
• Certification in nonprofit management or leadership a plus.
• Ability to work in office, residential, and community settings and travel locally (occasional national travel).
• Commitment to Pillar Care Continuum’s mission, values, and Culture of Excellence.

To be considered for the role, all applicants must be willing to undergo the terms prior to employment:

• Must successfully complete a criminal background check and receive clearance from the Department of Human Services, confirming they are not disqualified, before beginning work with individuals served by the organization.
• Must consent to having their name checked against the Central Registry of Offenders Against Individuals with Developmental Disabilities.
• Must submit to drug testing prior to their start date.
• Required to complete an application for a name check against the Child Abuse Registry Information (CARI).
• Required to complete an application to have their name checked against the Child Abuse Registry Information (CARI).

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Salary :$ 140,000-150,000 annually

Pillar Care takes into consideration a combination of candidate’s work

experience and qualification as well as the scope of the role,

complexity and external market and internal market value when

determining salary level.

Benefits: Competitive Insurance Benefits

(Medical, Dental, Vision, EAP, Life Insurance)

Flexible Spending Account/Health Reimbursement Account

Paid Holidays; Generous PTO

401K with Employer Matching

Educational Assistance Program

This job description is a brief listing of the functions and requirements of the position named above. It is not intended to serve as a contract for employment nor to list in specific detail every aspect of the job nor to limit the performance of those duties. Other tasks may be assigned as deemed necessary by agency administration.

Every Pillar Care employee is responsible for the implementation of the Exposure Control Plan (ECP). As specified in our exposure control plan this position is classified as: Category 2

Category 2

Employees who perform tasks that involve no exposure to blood ·or body fluids but may perform unplanned procedures usually performed by Category I employees

Competitive Insurance Benefits

(Medical, Dental, Vision, EAP, Life Insurance)

Flexible Spending Account/Health Reimbursement Account

Paid Holidays; Generous PTO

401K with Employer Matching

Educational Assistance Program

English