Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives

Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives - Center Expansion

Locations: Austin, Houston, Dallas, or San Antonio (Hybrid Office)

Action Behavior Centers

Seven years ago, they started off with one center in Austin, one Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and big aspirations. After observing the lack of quality options for children with Autism, they set out to create Action Behavior Centers (ABC) with a vision of transforming the lives of children with Autism and the clinicians who support them.

In their quest to create something special, they ignited a movement.

Today, with more than 325 centers in Texas, Arizona, Colorado, North Carolina, Minnesota, and Illinois, they are well on their way to accomplishing their mission. Through their community of more than eight thousand autism professionals, they serve thousands of children and families with Autism. ABC is now the largest and most respected name in ABA therapy.

An Extraordinary Team

At the core of their success is a hand-picked, highly engaged staff, dedicated to the success of every child.

Their clinical leadership is composed of experts in the field of ABA therapy. Their Board-Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) are extraordinarily talented clinicians whose life’s work is helping children on the Autism Spectrum live rich, happy lives in which they contribute to and enhance the world around them.

They do this because they love making a difference. They take care of them because of it. They create a culture that is open, energetic, intensely supportive and grounded in a relentless commitment to quality therapy for their kids.

Our Kids

Our kids are at the core of what we do. They are what matters. Everything we do is focused on embracing their world, understanding them, and achieving their greatest potential.

ABC doesn’t take a “one size fits all” approach and treats each child as an individual.

Our goal is to celebrate each child’s unique gifts while helping them develop tools that serve them later in life.

Our Families

You are part of the ABC family, for the first phone call, through every milestone. We are in this together. We are connected.

In addition to behavioral and development programming, we place a large focus on the inclusion of the family. Every family member plays a fundamental role. We provide dedicated programs and guidance to help families understand their roles and responsibilities.

Leadership Team

Hersh Sanghavi - Chief Executive Officer

Chris Johnson - Chief Operating Officer

Ryan Chen - Chief Financial Officer

Sharon Alpizar - Chief People Officer

Charna Mintz, BCBA-D - Chief Clinical Officer

Maria Beard – Vice President of Real Estate and Center Expansion

Private Equity Partner

Charlesbank Capital Partners

Position Description

The newly created Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives position represents a significantly rewarding career opportunity to join the largest and fastest-growing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy Services Company, with a vision of transforming the lives of children with Autism and the clinicians who support them.

As the Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing the strategic direction of the Center Expansion Team. This position demands a visionary leader who can drive growth, foster innovation, and capitalize on emerging opportunities in the industry. You will lead a team dedicated to translating long-term objectives into actionable plans, ensuring alignment with the mission and values of Action Behavior Centers, while maintaining a competitive edge in the marketplace.

What You’ll Do

Strategic Leadership:

Develop and implement comprehensive strategic plans that support the organization's goals and objectives. Provide visionary leadership to cross-functional teams, guiding them in the execution of strategic initiatives. Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement to drive organizational growth and adaptation to market dynamics.

Project Management and Execution:

Oversee the planning, coordination, and execution of key strategic initiatives.

Ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and with the intended impact.

Implement effective risk management strategies to mitigate potential project setbacks.

Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration:

Collaborate closely with executive leadership to align strategic initiatives with overall corporate strategy.

Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including partners, clients, and industry influencers.

Communicate effectively across all levels of the organization to ensure transparency and alignment.

Market Analysis and Opportunity Identification:

Conduct thorough market research and analysis to identify trends, opportunities, and threats.

Utilize insights to inform strategic decision-making and capitalize on emerging market opportunities.

Monitor competitor activities and industry developments to maintain a competitive advantage.

Performance Monitoring and Optimization:

Establish clear performance metrics and KPIs to measure the success and impact of strategic initiatives.

Analyze performance data to identify areas for improvement and optimization.

Implement adjustments to strategies and initiatives based on performance insights and market feedback.

Why You’ll Love Working at Action Behavior Centers

You’ll play a crucial role on a talented Real Estate and Center Expansion Team, in a hypergrowth, values driven, collaborative culture.

You’ll work alongside talented, results-driven colleagues with decades of combined experience building businesses in the healthcare space.

You’ll be joining a company relentlessly committed to their patients and practices that combines the best of mission-driven orientation with innovation, with the opportunity to help build the company and drive exponential growth.

You’ll be surrounded by extraordinary colleagues who care deeply about their work and team up to create a whole that is greater than the sum of their parts.

You’ll lead strategic initiatives that will directly contribute to the continued hyper growth and success in a dynamic industry.

What You’ll Bring

10+ years in strategic planning, project management, and leadership roles, preferably in a related industry

Strong leadership presence with the ability to inspire and motivate teams towards achieving ambitious goals.

Exceptional analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to see the big picture, while paying attention to detail

A reputation and track record of getting results both individually and as a force multiplier through others.

Project ownership experience and the ability to work independently and proactively.

Strong written and oral communication skills; diplomatic yet assertive, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization.

Passion for process improvement and problem solving, whether it is a conflict within the workplace or problem with a vendor, customer, or partner.

Proven ability to drive change and lead organizational transformation initiatives.

Flexibility and creativity compatible with a rapidly growing company

A bachelor’s degree in business administration, management, or a related field; MBA or advanced degree is preferred.

Key Competencies

An individual should demonstrate the following competencies to successfully perform the essential functions of this position:

Thinking & Acting Strategically. Thinking conceptually about the “big picture” and in which direction the organization is/should be headed, developing long-term plans to achieve the desired outcomes, and linking daily work to long-term vision.

Energy/Drive. High energy and passion for delivering results in a fast-paced, constantly changing, high growth environment; initiative-taking, strong initiative-taker with a sense of urgency; fervent desire to achieve, high dedication. The ideal candidate can take a task, request, or objective and drive to an effective outcome with minimal oversight and guidance. This job will demand 50-60 hour weeks, and sometimes more for the results expected out of this team.

Resourceful/Initiative. Passionately finds ways over, around, or through barriers to success. Achieves even when resources are lacking; goes beyond the call of duty; rolls up sleeves with a collaborative style, shows a strong bias for action and is a results-oriented “doer.”.

Analysis and Problem Solving. Solves difficult problems through careful and systematic evaluation of information, alternatives, and consequences. Considers many sources of information and evaluates the information for best possible courses of action, and carefully deliberates before a final decision is made.

Team Player. Down to earth personality, with a consultative style to positively influence the business, with a positive can-do attitude.

Relationships

The Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives reports to the Vice President of Real Estate and Center Expansion.

Travel

Approximately 25-35%, if outside of Austin; 15-20%, if in Austin

Once per month to Austin Headquarters, if outside of Austin

Travel to oversee a project in pilot market, once per week, for the first phase of the rollout, for centralized procurement.

Rewards

The company provides an attractive compensation plan consisting of a market-competitive base salary, annual incentive program, comprehensive benefits, and equity upon hire.