The Sherlock Center, Rhode Island’s federally designated University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), is seeking a dynamic and mission‑driven Associate Director to join our leadership team. This is a unique opportunity to help shape statewide impact, strengthen inclusive communities, and guide innovative programs that enhance the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
As a strategic partner to the Executive Director, the Associate Director plays a key role in driving the UCEDD’s mission, ensuring excellence in service delivery, and advancing the initiatives outlined in the UCEDD’s five‑year plan. This leader will oversee core operational functions—including staff supervision, program planning, evaluation, and financial stewardship—while cultivating collaborations across agencies, providers, and community stakeholders. The Associate Director will oversee the Sherlock Center’s adult initiatives, including employment, conflict‑free case management, self‑directed supports, workforce development, and other emerging topics impacting adults with disabilities.
Primary Purpose
The Associate Director is responsible for assisting the Executive Director in the overall administration of the UCEDD, which includes carrying out the mission, core functions and federal requirements of the UCEDD. The Associate Director will participate in the planning, development, and implementation of operational functions including hiring, supervising and mentoring staff, as well as monitoring, implementing and reporting on the UCEDD’s five-year work plan.
Essential Duties
- To serve as an effective member of the Sherlock Center’s leadership team; to exercise initiative consistent with the Sherlock Center’s goals and objectives; to provide effective leadership consistent with UCEDD five-year plan and other project requirements.
- To effectively represent the UCEDD with a wide range of public and private organizations, groups and individuals; to represent the Sherlock Center on committees, boards, and at a variety of public events and activities.
- To assist in overall program planning and development, fiscal integrity, program and staff evaluation.
- To assist in the efficient and effective delivery of a coordinated program of direct or support services.
- To develop and oversee a variety of service contracts and or grants, as required. As assigned, to develop and maintain appropriate information systems and to generate and disseminate analyses, reports and recommendations as required.
- Helps develop processes and procedures to improve the day-to-day management of the UCEDD.
- Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 20 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees.
- Ensures that related policies, procedures, and standards are maintained.
- Contributes to the core functions of the UCEDD, including activities of training/teaching, conducting research, disseminating evidence and best practices, and demonstrating model services.
Occasional Duties
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Executive Director of the Sherlock Center.
Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
- Knowledge of teaching strategies that promote the participation of individuals who have complex developmental or other disabilities.
- Knowledge of culturally responsive approaches to informing, supporting and engaging diverse populations or communities, including individuals with complex developmental or other disabilities
- Knowledge of best practices for implementing project evaluation activities.
- Excellent written, verbal communication and organizational skills.
- Excellent computer skills including use of basic word processing and data programs as well as competence in data analysis.
- Ability to translate research and educational materials into plain language.
- Ability to prioritize, manage and execute multiple projects concurrently.
- Proven ability to plan, coordinate, direct and control several functions and programs of a large agency or complex program within the disability community.
- Proven ability to develop and oversee operating systems including the ability manage a program of fiscal integrity.
- Proven ability to interpret complex information, prepare analyses/reports, as they apply to grants/funding sources,
- Proven ability to effectively communicate with all levels of staff, and agencies, advocacy groups, providers, and the public at large using communication styles appropriate to the audience
- Proven ability to lead, supervise, direct assign, and evaluate the work of subordinates, the proven ability to communicate effectively.
- Proven ability to work effectively as a member of the leadership team.
- Proven ability to meet and conform to the requirements of an operational set of performance specifications, and related capacities and abilities.
Required Qualifications
Education: Master’s degree in Public Administration, Management, Education, Psychology or in the specifically assigned area of organizational or program responsibility supplemented by extensive specialized or advanced training or education in that area.
Experience:
- A minimum of three years of program administrative experience in the area of intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Experience managing budgets and contracts and a proven ability to develop collaborations and engage with multiple stakeholders as well as experience with grant funding.
Preferred Qualifications
- Ph.D. in Public Administration, Management, Education, Psychology
- Work or life experience with individuals with disabilities.
- Experience providing technical assistance to projects.
Does this position have Direct Reports? Yes Environmental Conditions
The employee is not exposed to known adverse environmental conditions.
Position Details
Full Time / Part Time
Full-time
Proposed Starting Salary Range
$90,000-$95,000
Work Schedule
35 Hours
Monday through Friday
Non standard work hours
Including some evenings and weekends.
Benefits
Full-time employees enjoy an array of benefits including:
- Health and Wellness – Medical, Dental & Vision
- Wellness Incentives and Rewards
- Paid time Off – Vacation, Sick & Holiday
- Retirement Benefits
- Disability and Insurance Benefits
- Education Benefits – Tuition waivers for RIC, CCRI & URI
For a complete listing, visit Employee Benefits.
Reports To (Title)
Executive Director of Sherlock Center on Disabilities
Academic or Calendar Year
Calendar
Position Status
Grant-funded
End of Temporary or Limited Position
06/30/2027
Collective Bargaining Unit
Non-union
Posting Information
Number of Positions Available
1
Application Open Date
02/26/2026
Special Instructions
Please be advised that Rhode Island College is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must have authorization to work in the US without the need for employer sponsorship.
EEO Statement
Rhode Island College is an equal opportunity employer. The institution does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability religion, age, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law. Rhode Island College is committed to maintain a workplace and educational environment that supports equal opportunity, professionalism and respectful engagement for all community members.
