Executive Director, Interdisciplinary Center for Autism Services

About the role

The Executive Director provides visionary, strategic, and operational leadership for the Interdisciplinary Center for Autism Services (ICAS). Reporting directly to the Dean of the School of Education, the Executive Director is responsible for building and sustaining a high‑functioning, mission‑driven center that serves individuals with autism and behavioral health needs while advancing Saint Louis University’s commitment to research, education, and community engagement.

Key responsibilities

• Provide leadership to strengthen ICAS’s operational infrastructure, staffing model, culture, policies, and procedures to support growth and increased capacity.
• Develop and implement a strategic plan aligned with the Center’s mission and the priorities of Saint Louis University and the School of Education.
• Manage day‑to‑day operations, including staffing, budgeting, facilities, and resource allocation, while monitoring service delivery, program outcomes, and financial performance.
• Develop and pursue external funding opportunities, such as grants and philanthropic support, to ensure long‑term sustainability.
• Build and maintain relationships with community organizations, school districts, funders, and state and federal agencies.
• Lead the expansion and implementation of interdisciplinary clinical services across the lifespan.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory, accreditation, billing, reimbursement, and ethical standards.
• Partner with faculty to integrate ICAS activities with graduate and undergraduate education and to advance interdisciplinary research and program evaluation.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree and demonstrated experience in a leadership or program‑management role within a social services, clinical, or nonprofit setting.
• Preferred master’s or doctoral degree in education, social work, psychology, speech‑language pathology, occupational therapy, business, nonprofit management, or a related field.
• Successful track record in grant writing and securing external funding.
• Experience working with neurodivergent populations, including individuals with autism, ADHD, or related developmental disabilities.
• Research background in autism, behavioral health, or related neurodevelopmental areas, with experience translating applied research into practice.

Required skills

• Knowledge of autism, neurodevelopmental, and related services across the lifespan.
• Knowledge of clinical program administration, regulatory compliance, billing and reimbursement systems, and personnel management.
• Knowledge of academic, clinical, and community partnership models that integrate research, education, and service.
• Knowledge of grant funding, donor relations, and philanthropic partnership development.
• Strong leadership and strategic planning abilities, with the capacity to translate vision into operational execution.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills for representing ICAS to university leadership, funders, donors, and community partners.