Vice President of Employment and Community Integration

VICE PRESIDENT OF EMPLOYMENT & COMMUNITY INTEGRATION

ABOUT HELP GROUP

Help Group is a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children, adolescents, and adults with diverse learning, behavioral, emotional, developmental, and mental health needs. Through integrated educational, clinical, recreational, vocational, and community-based services, the organization empowers individuals and families to thrive across the lifespan. We help individuals and families build resilience, create hope, and unlock their limitless potential.

ABOUT THE ROLE 

The Vice President of Employment & Community Integration (VP) provides strategic and operational leadership for a growing continuum of community-based adult and transition services that support neurodivergent individuals and those with developmental, emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges. This role oversees the development, implementation, and expansion of supported employment services; transition-age youth programming; community integration and day programs; social enterprise initiatives; vocational and workforce development opportunities; recreation and community participation programs; and family navigation and support services.

Reporting to the Sr. Vice President of Strategic Impact and Growth, the VP leads the organization’s efforts to build innovative, sustainable, person-centered programs that promote independence, employment, belonging, and meaningful community engagement while cultivating strategic partnerships and funding relationships with the California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR), Regional Centers, school districts, workforce development agencies, employers, community partners, and philanthropic and government funders. The ideal candidate is a visionary and operational leader with expertise in disability services, supported employment, community integration, and systems navigation for neurodivergent and high-support-needs populations.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES 

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Develop and execute a long-term strategic vision for Employment & Community Integration Services.
• Build innovative models integrating: employment, community participation, transition services, social enterprise and behavioral and vocational supports
• Identify and pursue opportunities for program expansion and funding diversification.
• Lead development of scalable and sustainable service models aligned with California’s evolving disability and workforce systems.

Program Development & Oversight

• Provide executive oversight and strategic direction for Supported Employment and Career Pathway Programs, Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS), Community Integration and Community Participation Programs, Social Enterprise and Employment Innovation Initiatives, internship and vocational training programs, recreation and community-based enrichment opportunities, and family navigation and support services.
• Ensure high-quality, person-centered service delivery and establish meaningful program outcomes and performance metrics.
• Maintain regulatory and contractual compliance across all service lines while developing effective staffing models and organizational structures.
• Drive operational excellence, continuous improvement, innovation, and sustainable program development.

Funding & Contract Management

• Cultivate and manage strategic partnerships with the California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR), Regional Centers, school districts, workforce agencies, and other public funding entities.
• Lead contract development, implementation, compliance, and reporting processes to ensure accountability and regulatory adherence.
• Develop and implement braided funding strategies across DOR, Regional Center, Medi-Cal/HCBS, workforce grants, school contracts, philanthropy, and social enterprise revenue streams.
• Ensure financial sustainability, operational effectiveness, and strong program performance across all service lines.

Community & Employer Partnerships

• Develop partnerships with employers committed to inclusive and neurodiverse hiring.
• Build relationships with community organizations, workforce boards, and advocacy groups.
• Expand opportunities for internships, volunteer experiences, and competitive integrated employment.
• Represent the organization in county, state, and community collaboratives.

Leadership & Team Management

• Recruit, supervise, and mentor directors, managers, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, inclusion, and person-centered practice.
• Support professional development and leadership growth within the division.
• Collaborate cross-divisionally with Clinical, Educational, Residential, and Family Support teams.

Quality & Outcomes

• Establish and monitor meaningful outcome metrics related to employment, retention, independence, social participation, community inclusion, and overall quality of life.
• Utilize data-driven decision-making and performance analysis to strengthen services, improve outcomes, and demonstrate program impact.
• Ensure all programs and services align with Employment First principles, HCBS standards, trauma-informed practices, and neurodiversity-affirming approaches.

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Minimum 7–10 years of progressive leadership experience in: supported employment, disability services, community integration, transition-age youth programming, behavioral health, and/or developmental services.
• Demonstrated experience managing public funding and contracts.
• Knowledge of: CA DOR and Regional Center systems, Employment First/HCBS principles, Workforce development models, Neurodiversity-affirming practices
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and large-scale programs.
• Strong strategic, operational, and financial management skills.
• A business mindset with a proven track record of improving program effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability of organizational budget.
• Demonstrated success in creating and implementing a strategic plan, as well as forming strong community partnerships.
  

  Preferred

  • Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, Special Education, Public Administration, or related field
  • Experience developing social enterprise initiatives.
  • Experience serving neurodivergent individuals and individuals with complex behavioral support needs.
  • Familiarity with DMH, DCFS, school-based, and Medi-Cal systems.
  • CRC, LCSW, LMFT, LPCC, or related credential preferred but not required.

• Core Competencies

  • Strategic Vision
  • Systems Thinking
  • Program Development
  • Funding & Partnership Development
  • Operational Leadership
  • Relationship Building
  • Neurodiversity-Affirming Practice
  • Trauma-Informed Leadership
  • Innovation & Change Management

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS 

Help Group offers a competitive executive compensation package commensurate with experience, with a salary range of $150,000–$165,000 and room for growth, along with a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, retirement, and paid time off. This role also provides opportunities for professional growth and leadership development.

Help Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace.

Envision Consulting has been retained to conduct the search for the Vice President of Employment and Community Relations.