Skip to main content
Tallo logoTallo logo

Find Jobs

Find Jobs Near You – Available Work in Your Location

Skip to job details
Apply for this opportunity

To apply for this job, you'll continue to an external website or email application.

Little Friends Inc

Autism Specialist/Clinical Director Center for Autism Services

Career Insights for Preschool / Childcare Director

See where this job fits in the broader career landscape. Knowing your career path helps you see what's possible from here.

Scorecard

Based on Illinois data

Review key factors to help you decide if this role fits your goals. How is this calculated?

Were these scores useful?

What they do

A Preschool or Childcare Director manages and directs programs for very young children. Supervises child care workers and pre-school teachers. Proposes policies, program fees and budgets for approval by a program board or administrative agency or implements policies of a national organization. Meets with parents and staff to discuss the development, learning and behavior of children in the program or center. Orders supplies and monitors maintenance and cleaning at a facility. Ensures that the program or center meets state and federal guidelines.

$49,658 / year median in Illinois

+14% projected growth

Explore Career

Job Description

Description:
Position Summary Little Friends is seeking an experienced and passionate Clinical Director to provide strategic and clinical leadership for our Center for Autism therapeutic services. This leadership role is responsible for overseeing the quality, effectiveness, and daily operations of all autism therapeutic programs, including behavioral services within Little Friends Adult Programs. The Clinical Director ensures the delivery of evidence-based, person-centered care while fostering clinical excellence, staff development, and continuous program improvement. Essential Responsibilities Provide clinical and operational leadership for all Center for Autism therapeutic services and programs. Oversee behavioral services provided within Little Friends Adult Programs, ensuring high-quality service delivery and compliance with organizational standards. Develop, implement, and evaluate clinical programming to ensure best practices and positive outcomes for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities. Supervise, mentor, and support clinical staff, promoting professional growth and adherence to ethical and clinical standards. Ensure programs comply with all applicable regulatory, accreditation, and funding requirements. Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, leadership, families, and community partners to support individualized services and organizational goals. Design and deliver clinical trainings, professional development, and consultations for internal staff and external organizations as appropriate. Monitor program performance using data-driven decision-making and continuous quality improvement practices. Stay informed of emerging research, evidence-based practices, and innovations in the fields of Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental disabilities, integrating new knowledge into clinical programming. Participate in strategic planning, program development, and organizational initiatives to support the mission of Little Friends. Provide center-based therapy to individuals with developmental disabilities as well as parent training and family coaching as required Assist with the IEP implementation and consulting Assist with IEP Goals tracking and milestone assessment Why Join Little Friends? At Little Friends, you'll have the opportunity to lead innovative programs that make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities. We are committed to fostering a collaborative, mission-driven culture where clinical excellence, professional growth, and compassionate care are at the center of everything we do. Little Friends provides a neurodiversity-affirmative and inclusive environment for staff and Individuals to thrive in. You will have the opportunity to work with a collaborative and multidisciplinary team in providing high-quality person-centered planning for the individuals we support. If you're a specialist in Autism Spectrum Disorder as well as a strategic clinical leader dedicated to advancing high-quality autism services and empowering individuals to reach their fullest potential, we'd love to hear from you.
Salary:
$95,000/year
WAGE TRANSPARENCY NOTIFICATION
Little Friends, Inc., in compliance with House Bill 3129 regarding Pay Transparency, is committed to providing salary and benefits information for all open positions. Please note that all disclosed compensation rates for this role will be determined based on required qualifications, experience, education, skill, training, certifications, and seniority. Little Friends, Inc. also has the right to offer candidates appropriate compensation rates, determined by the employer, commensurate with the applicant's qualifications, experience, education, skill, training, certifications, or seniority.
Benefits:
Health, Vision, and Dental Insurance Life Insurance 401K Paid Vacation Time Paid Sick Time Paid Leave Time Excellent EAP (Employee Assistance Program)
Requirements:
Qualifications Master's or Doctoral degree in Behavior Analysis, Psychology, Special Education, Social Work, or a related clinical field. Current certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) preferred or other relevant clinical licensure as appropriate. Minimum of five years of progressive leadership experience overseeing autism or developmental disability services. Demonstrated experience managing multidisciplinary teams and clinical programs. Strong knowledge of evidence-based interventions for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and developmental disabilities. Excellent leadership, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills. Experience providing staff training, consultation, and clinical supervision. Commitment to person-centered care, collaboration, and continuous quality improvement. Preferred Qualifications Experience working across both pediatric and adult autism service programs. Experience with program development, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance. Strong presentation and public speaking skills.