Senior Director, Best Buddies Life

Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Best Buddies is the largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people worldwide with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our programs empower people with IDD to form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure jobs, improve communication and advocacy skills, and live independently, while also offering support for their families.

Job Title: Senior Director, Best Buddies Life 
Department: State Operations and Programs 
Reports to: Vice President, Best Buddies Life 
# of direct reports:  

Position Overview: 

The Senior Director, Best Buddies Life (BBL) will lead the national implementation, operations, and growth of Best Buddies Life, a transformative initiative designed to create pathways to lifelong learning, meaningful employment, independent living, leadership development, and community engagement for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The Senior Director will be responsible for translating the strategic vision established by the Vice President into scalable programs and measurable outcomes. This role will oversee day-to-day program operations, participant experience, partnership management, workforce development initiatives, credentialing programs, and independent living supports while ensuring excellence, consistency, and impact across all Best Buddies Life offerings.

Job Requirements

• Master's degree in Higher Education Administration, Special Education, Disability Studies, Social Work, Nonprofit Leadership, Public Administration, Education, Business Administration, or related field.
• Minimum 8–10 years of progressive leadership experience in disability services, workforce development, higher education, transition programming, nonprofit management, or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience managing multi-site programs and leading inclusive education, employment, and independent living initiatives for individuals with IDD, with knowledge of vocational rehabilitation, Pre-ETS, supported employment, and disability service systems preferred.
• Strong project management, operational leadership, and strategic planning skills.
• Experience developing and managing partnerships with educational institutions, employers, and community organizations.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and presentation skills.
• Ability to utilize data and outcome measurement to drive program improvement.
• Experience overseeing credentialing, certification, or micro-credential initiatives preferred.
• Ability to supervise professional staff, advisors, coaches, or case management teams.
• Experience securing grants, corporate partnerships, or philanthropic support a plus.
• Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), Certified Career Services Provider (CCSP), or related credential preferred.
• Must travel, use personal cell phone, and work evenings and weekends as necessary in order to accomplish job responsibilities

Job Duties include, but are not limited to: 

Programs

• Lead the implementation and ongoing management of all Best Buddies Life programming nationwide.
• Develop operational plans, annual goals, and performance metrics aligned with the strategic vision established by the Vice President.
• Oversee participant recruitment, enrollment, onboarding, retention, and success initiatives.
• Collaborate with state and local Best Buddies staff to support program expansion and participant engagement, and ensure consistent delivery of high-quality programming
• Develop and implement a national service model that integrates Best Buddies Corps Members as credentialed Best Buddies Life Advisors.
• Establish participant engagement protocols and service delivery expectations of Corps members to ensure consistent, high-quality support across all Best Buddies Life sites.
• Ensure Corps Members provide individualized support in education, employment, independent living, community engagement, and leadership/self-advocacy.
• Develop participant success planning frameworks, assessment tools, and outcome tracking systems in partnership with the Corps team.
• Evaluate program outcomes, identify training needs, and ensure Corps Members are successfully supporting participants in achieving their education, employment, and independent living goals.
• Create pathways for participant feedback and continuous improvement to enhance both the participant experience and Corps Member professional development.
• Lead the development and implementation of workforce readiness programs, career exploration opportunities, credentialing initiatives, and employment supports.
• Collaborate with the Best Buddies Jobs team to align employment opportunities and employer partnerships.
• Lead the development of inclusive postsecondary education opportunities and strategic partnerships to expand participant access to certificate programs, micro-credentials, workforce certifications, continuing education, and lifelong learning.
• Lead the development of independent living curriculum, resources, and support services.
• Create programming focused on financial literacy, transportation, housing readiness, wellness, self-determination, and daily living skills.
• Support contract development, partnership agreements, and collaborative initiatives.
• Serve as a key representative of Best Buddies Life in meetings, conferences, and stakeholder engagements. 
  

Development Funding

• Partner with the Vice President and Development team to support fundraising, grant opportunities, sponsorships, and donor engagement.
• Assist in preparing proposals, impact reports, and presentations for funders and partners.
• Support budget development, resource planning, and financial management activities.
• Identify opportunities for earned revenue through credentialing, training, and educational partnerships.

Operations

• Establish systems to track participant enrollment, retention, credential attainment, employment outcomes, independent living milestones, and overall program impact.
• Utilize data and participant feedback to improve program quality and effectiveness.
• Prepare reports, dashboards, and presentations for leadership, funders, and stakeholders.
• Support grant reporting and outcome measurement requirements.
• Ensure compliance with organizational standards and partnership expectations.

Human Resources

• Supervise national Best Buddies Life staff and consultants.
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration, and participant-centered service.
• Lead staff training, performance management, coaching, and professional development initiatives.
• Support future staffing growth and organizational scaling efforts.

Best Buddies® is an affirmative action employer, in addition to an EOE and M/F/V/PWD/PV employer. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are foundational to Best Buddies International’s core values and help the organization continue to achieve its mission. Here at Best Buddies, our goal is to lead and advocate for a more inclusive world.

Best Buddies offers a comprehensive and generous benefits program that include financial security, health and wellness and time off.