Founding Executive Director

Founding Executive Director – Intellectual & Developmental Disability Services

West Tennessee | Startup Leadership Opportunity

A newly established healthcare organization serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities is seeking an experienced and entrepreneurial Founding Executive Director to help build and grow the organization from the ground up.

This opportunity is ideal for someone who understands Tennessee's developmental disability service system, Medicaid waiver services, provider operations, and referral relationships and who is excited about helping develop a new organization during its startup phase.

The Opportunity

The Founding Executive Director will work directly with the owner to develop the organization's operational foundation, establish community and professional relationships, prepare for service delivery, and develop a sustainable referral network.

We are particularly interested in someone who understands how individuals receiving waiver services select providers and who has established relationships within Tennessee's IDD/DD service community.

Responsibilities

• Help develop the organization from startup through active service delivery.
• Develop relationships with Independent Support Coordinators (ISCs), case managers, families, community organizations, hospitals, and other appropriate referral sources.
• Develop ethical strategies for increasing awareness of the organization and its available services.
• Navigate Tennessee Medicaid waiver and developmental disability service systems.
• Assist with client referral, intake, transition, authorization, and onboarding processes.
• Help establish operational policies, procedures, and workflows.
• Assist with recruiting, training, and developing staff as the organization grows.
• Support regulatory and compliance readiness.
• Identify opportunities for organizational growth and service expansion.
• Work directly with ownership on long-term strategic planning.

Ideal Background

We are especially interested in candidates with previous experience as an:

• Executive Director
• Program Director
• Residential Director
• IDD/DD Provider Administrator
• Independent Support Coordinator (ISC)
• Case Manager
• Medicaid Waiver Specialist
• Provider Relations or Network Development Professional
• Business Development Professional within IDD/DD services

Knowledge of Tennessee's developmental disability service system, Medicaid waiver programs, provider requirements, and referral processes is strongly preferred.

Who Would Be Successful in This Role?

The ideal candidate is entrepreneurial and understands that joining a startup is different from joining an established agency.

We are looking for someone who can say:

"I know this system. I know how providers grow. I know how to build relationships, develop operations, and help turn a newly established agency into a successful provider."

The successful candidate should be comfortable creating systems, solving problems independently, developing relationships, and helping establish an organization rather than simply managing an existing operation.

Compensation & Startup Structure

Important: This is an early-stage startup opportunity and does not currently provide a traditional salary.

We want to be completely transparent about the organization's current stage.

The initial opportunity is intended for an experienced professional who is interested in helping build the organization during its startup period and potentially transitioning into a compensated executive leadership position as revenue and operations develop.

Future compensation, leadership structure, and potential performance-based arrangements may be discussed with qualified candidates.

This opportunity may be particularly attractive to an experienced IDD/DD professional, consultant, semi-retired administrator, or entrepreneurial healthcare leader interested in helping build an organization from its early stages.

To Apply

Please submit your resume along with a brief introduction describing:

• Your experience with Tennessee Medicaid waiver or IDD/DD services.
• Your experience developing referral and community relationships.
• Your experience helping grow or operate a provider organization.
• Why you are interested in helping build an organization during its startup phase.

Qualified candidates will be contacted privately with additional information.

Pay: Up to $15.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule

Work Location: In person