Job Description

Are you looking for an opportunity to advance your career while working with an extraordinary team? At Merakey/Waters & Sims, we put our heart and soul into everything we do.

We are seeking a Director of Operations to join our team!

Waters & Sims have been providing Supported Employment services to consumers with disabilities throughout New Jersey since 1996. We are currently looking to add to our dynamic team for the Innovative & Expansion grant in the Southern & Central Region.

Joining Waters & Sims Employment Services Inc. means more than just finding a job — it’s a chance to apply your education, passion, and personal style to coach individuals with disabilities toward their career goals. Be part of our inclusive team committed to equal opportunity at every level.

The Director of Operations provides strategic and operational leadership at Waters and Sims throughout New Jersey. This position oversees employment services delivery, operational systems, staff performance, compliance, funding management, and cross-functional coordination to ensure high-quality outcomes for individuals seeking competitive integrated employment. The Director of Operations ensures alignment with New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS), Ticket to Work, Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS), Medicaid-based employment supports, and other federal, state, and grand-funded programs. This role requires a strong understanding of workforce development, disability employment policy, person-centered practices, and performance-based service delivery. Partners closely with executive leadership, program managers, employers, schools, state agencies, community parters, and funding entities to strengthen organizational effectiveness, service quality, and sustainable growth.

Salary Range: $77,979 - $92,976

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with DDD, DVRS, Medicaid, Ticket to Work, Pre‑ETS, WIOA, and grant‑funded program requirements while maintaining strong stakeholder relationships.

• Lead daily operations, staffing, service delivery, and multi‑site program performance across supported employment and workforce development services.

• Oversee documentation accuracy, billing, authorizations, audits, CARF accreditation readiness, and technology‑based compliance systems.

• Develop policies, procedures, workflows, dashboards, and data reports to support consistency, quality, and leadership decision‑making.

• Analyze operational data to identify trends, service gaps, productivity issues, and opportunities for improvement.

• Recruit, supervise, coach, and evaluate leadership and staff while supporting training, retention, and succession planning.

• Collaborate with executive leadership on strategic planning, budgeting, program growth, and alignment with organizational mission and funding priorities.

• Represent the organization with professionalism at meetings, conferences, schools, and community events while supporting employer engagement and partnership development.

Benefits

Merakey offers generous benefits that promote well-being, financial security, and work-life balance, including:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus access to healthcare advocacy support.
• Retirement plan -- both pre-tax and Roth (after-tax) options available for employee contributions.
• DailyPay -- access your pay when you need it!
• On the Goga well-being platform, featuring self-care tools and resources.
• Access Care.com for backup childcare, elder care, and household services.
• Confidential counseling, legal, and financial services through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Tuition reimbursement and educational partnerships.
• Employee discounts and savings programs on entertainment, travel, and lifestyle.
• Access to Pryor Online Learning for free online personal development classes.

Learn more about our full benefits package - https://www.merakey.org/careers/benefits

About Merakey

Merakey is a non-profit provider of developmental, behavioral health, and education services. More than 8,000 employees provide support to nearly 40,000 individuals and families throughout 12 states across the country each year. Click here to watch a video about Merakey. Merakey strictly follows a zero-tolerance policy for abuse.

Merakey is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer! We deeply value diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, ethnic background, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or disability status. Moreover, we are committed to creating teams that reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and encourage applicants from underrepresented backgrounds to apply. Merakey welcomes all Veterans to apply!

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• Must have a Valid Driver's License
• Bachelors Degree in Human Services, Psychology, Social Work, Business or related field is required. master's Degree is preferred.
• Determined suitable by SSA (Preferred), WIP-C/WIPA Certification (Preferred)
• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience in supported employment, workforce development, or related human services operation
• 5+ years supervisory and/or management experience leading multidisciplinary teams in employment services or related field
• 5+ Management experience in Supported Employment, 2+ years of experience leading and facilitating CARF accreditation and compliance for Supported employment
• ​​Knowledge of New Jersey Service Systems (e.g. DDD, DVR) is preferred.