Description

Summary:

The Program Director serves as the founding academic and administrative leader responsible for the design, approval, accreditation preparation, and launch of the University’s Behavior Analyst program. Reporting to senior academic leadership, the Director will provide strategic vision, academic leadership, and operational oversight from initial program development through the successful enrollment and support of the inaugural cohort.

This position requires a highly motivated leader capable of advancing multiple workstreams simultaneously, including curriculum development, program application preparation, faculty and clinical partnership development, and student recruitment, in response to workforce demand and institutional priorities.

The successful candidate will be expected to lead the design, approval, and launch of the program on an accelerated but achievable timeline, working collaboratively across academic, clinical, and regulatory stakeholders. Expected milestones include:

Within the First 3 Months

• • Finalization of program structure, curriculum framework, and admissions standards,
  • Securing institutional approvals and initiating required state review processes,
  • Establishment of initial clinical partnerships and advisory structures.

Within 6 Months

• • Submission of program application materials and self-study documentation,
  • Hiring of key faculty and clinical coordination personnel,
  • Completion of clinical/field work affiliation agreements and simulation infrastructure planning,
  • Launch of student recruitment and admissions activities

Within 9 Months

• • Admission and onboarding of the inaugural student cohort,
  • Completion of accreditation site visit preparation, if applicable,
  • Finalization of course schedules, clinical rotations, and student support systems.

Within 12 Months

• • Program launch with active enrollment of the inaugural cohort,
  • Ongoing engagement with accrediting bodies and implementation of continuous improvement processes,
  • Stabilization of academic and clinical operations in preparation for subsequent cohorts.

Responsibilities:

Academic Leadership and Program Development

• Design and implement a comprehensive curriculum that integrates didactic instruction, simulation-based learning, and supervised clinical education consistent with behavior analyst education standards,
• Establish program policies, assessment strategies, and continuous improvement processes,
• When appropriate, lead adjunct faculty recruitment, onboarding, development, and evaluation.

Accreditation and Regulatory Compliance

• Serve as the primary lead for all internal, state, and specialized program processes,
• In coordination with the Division of Institutional Effectiveness, prepare and submit materials for the NYSED application, while also ensure program alignment to BACB Certification.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with certification standards, institutional policies, and regulatory requirements.

Clinical Partnerships and Experiential Education

• Utilizing the University’s CORE system, develop and maintain clinical affiliation agreements with regional organizations,
• Oversee clinical education, including preceptor engagement, evaluation processes, and student readiness,
• Ensure simulation and clinical resources support program outcomes and accreditation expectations,

Student Success, Recruitment, and Engagement

• In coordination with the Division of Enrollment Management, design admissions processes, recruitment strategies, and applicant evaluation,
• In coordination with the Division of Student Affairs, implement student orientation, campus support structures, professionalism standards, and certification-readiness initiatives,
• Represent the program to prospective students, clinical partners, and professional organizations.

Operations and Program Launch

• Offer insight to facilities planning, equipment acquisition, and operational logistics,
• Ensure scheduling, documentation systems, and operational readiness are in place for program launch,
• Lead program evaluation and refinement following inaugural cohort enrollment.

Other Responsibilities:

• Teach in the program (as needed and aligned with expertise) and participate in curriculum review cycles,
• Support institutional assessment processes as related to the program (reports, data requests, and quality initiatives),
• Represent the program at professional meetings and build visibility within the behavior analytics education community,
• In coordination with the Office of Sponsored Programs & Research, support grant development and philanthropic/workforce partnership opportunities to advance simulation, scholarships, and clinical expansion,
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of program and university priorities.

Qualifications:

Required Education:

• Master’s degree or doctorate in a related field (e.g. Behavior Analysis, Psychology, education, etc.). 
• Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).

Preferred Education:

• Terminal degree (PhD, EdD, DHSc, MD/DO, or equivalent) and/or demonstrated graduate-level teaching and curriculum leadership.
• Required Experience:
• Significant professional experience in behavior analysis, applied behavior analysis (ABA), or closely related clinical, educational, or behavioral health environments
• Demonstrated experience in academic program development (curriculum design, outcomes assessment, student progression policies),
• Experience building and maintaining clinical, educational, or community partnerships to support practicum and fieldwork placements
• Proven ability to lead compliance processes and prepare complex documentation for review/approval.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience working with or leading programs aligned with BCBA certification standards and professional training requirements
• Prior role as program director, assistant/associate program director, clinical coordinator, or comparable academic leadership position in behavior analysis or related disciplines,
• Evidence of success in advancing student outcomes, certification exam preparedness, and post-graduation employment placement

Physical & Environmental:

• Possess the ability to react calmly and effectively in dynamic situations,
• Handle multiple tasks and priorities at once while solving problems and thinking innovatively,
• Administrative, organizational, supervisory, and budget-management skills,
• Ability to travel with dependable transportation,
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends,
• Extended periods of sitting, standing, stair climbing, maneuvering objects of substantial weight,
• Must possess a person-focused philosophy.

Work Remotely - No

Work Location: Buffalo, NY

Job Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Pay: $80,000 - $85,000 Annually

Additional Salary Information

The salary range reflects our good faith and reasonable estimate of the possible compensation at the time of posting, the role and associated responsibilities, and the experience, education, and training of the selected candidate.

Requirements

Required Education:

• Master’s degree or doctorate in a related field (e.g. Behavior Analysis, Psychology, education, etc.). 
• Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).

Preferred Education:

• Terminal degree (PhD, EdD, DHSc, MD/DO, or equivalent) and/or demonstrated graduate-level teaching and curriculum leadership.

Required Experience:

• Significant professional experience in behavior analysis, applied behavior analysis (ABA), or closely related clinical, educational, or behavioral health environments
• Demonstrated experience in academic program development (curriculum design, outcomes assessment, student progression policies),
• Experience building and maintaining clinical, educational, or community partnerships to support practicum and fieldwork placements
• Proven ability to lead compliance processes and prepare complex documentation for review/approval.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience working with or leading programs aligned with BCBA certification standards and professional training requirements
• Prior role as program director, assistant/associate program director, clinical coordinator, or comparable academic leadership position in behavior analysis or related disciplines,
• Evidence of success in advancing student outcomes, certification exam preparedness, and post-graduation employment placement

Physical & Environmental:

• Possess the ability to react calmly and effectively in dynamic situations,
• Handle multiple tasks and priorities at once while solving problems and thinking innovatively,
• Administrative, organizational, supervisory, and budget-management skills,
• Ability to travel with dependable transportation,
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends,
• Extended periods of sitting, standing, stair climbing, maneuvering objects of substantial weight,
• Must possess a person-focused philosophy.