Vice President, Program Operations in Hillside, Illinois at Aspire Chicago

Interested in this position? View the full position profile and apply HERE.

Lead Operations. Elevate Lives. Drive Impact.

At Aspire, we believe every person deserves the opportunity to live a full, meaningful life. For more than 60 years, Aspire has partnered with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to build lives filled with purpose, connection, and possibility.

We are seeking an experienced, strategic, and mission-driven Vice President, Program Operations to lead enterprise-wide program operations and help shape the future of person-centered services across our organization.

This is more than an operations role — it is an opportunity to influence lives, empower teams, strengthen communities, and ensure excellence across a growing, multi-site organization committed to innovation and helping ensure everyone feels included.

Executive Leadership | Operational Excellence | Mission Impact

The Vice President, Program Operations serves as the enterprise leader responsible for the quality, performance, compliance, and operational excellence of Aspire’s core service lines, including:

• Residential Services
• Academies
• Clinical Services
• Nursing Operations

Reporting directly to the Chief Program Officer, the VP will drive operational rigor, strengthen accountability systems, mitigate organizational risk, and ensure exceptional person-centered experiences across a decentralized, multi-site service delivery model.

This leader will inspire and develop high-performing teams while building scalable systems that support sustainable growth, quality outcomes, regulatory excellence, and financial stewardship.

What You’ll Lead

• Enterprise Program Operations
• Quality, Compliance & Risk Management
• Financial & Performance Leadership
• Workforce & Culture Development
• Strategic & Cross-Functional Partnership

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required, Master’s preferred
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in complex, multi-site operations
• Experience leading large-scale service delivery organizations with operational and financial accountability
• Background in regulated environments such as healthcare, behavioral health, I/DD services, or related industries
• Proven success improving operational performance, quality outcomes, and organizational sustainability
• Strong financial acumen and data-driven decision-making experience
• Valid Illinois driver’s license with a good driving record
• Experience scaling operations, leading organizational growth, mergers/acquisitions, or performance improvement initiatives

The Leadership Competencies That Matter Here

We are looking for a leader who:

• Achieves results and drives accountability
• Builds strong, inclusive, high-performing teams
• Leads through complexity and change
• Tackles difficult issues with courage and integrity
• Cultivates innovation and operational excellence
• Balances strategic vision with disciplined execution
• Champions person-centered, mission-driven service delivery

Why Aspire?

At Aspire, our work changes lives — including the lives of the people who work here.

You’ll join a purpose-driven organization where:

• Mission and impact guide every decision
• Innovation and continuous improvement are encouraged
• Leaders are empowered to shape the future
• Collaboration and compassion matter
• Every person is valued, respected, and supported

If you are a strategic operator, people-centered leader, and systems thinker ready to drive meaningful impact at scale, we invite you to bring your leadership to Aspire.

Interested in this position? View the full position profile and apply HERE.