Director of Quality Improvement
Department: Quality Management
Status: Full-time
Who We Are
At Sertoma Star Services, we're on a mission to empower individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities and those living with mental illness to reach their goals and lead fulfilling lives. With a strategic presence in South Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana, we proudly serve over 2,000 consumers through a diverse range of vocational, educational, therapeutic, and residential programs.
Sertoma Star Services’ roots trace back to the merger of two dynamic social services organizations, New Star and Sertoma Centre combining over 125 years of expertise in providing cutting-edge, person-first services. Our united commitment is straightforward: to transform lives through delivering comprehensive services, choices, and opportunities to those we support in an environment that promotes self-advocacy and personal success.
By joining the Sertoma Star Team you will have a unique opportunity to challenge limits and change lives. Together, we can shape a brighter future for those we serve.
Your Role
The Director of Quality Improvement is responsible for the strategic leadership, oversight, and continuous improvement of quality systems across our Illinois and Indiana Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) services and Illinois Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) programs. This role ensures compliance with all regulatory and contractual requirements, including Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), Indiana Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS), Office of the Inspector General (OIG), and accreditation standards from the Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL). The Director champions a culture of person-centered support, data-driven decision making, and organizational accountability.
Responsibilities
• Develop, implement, and monitor Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) plans in alignment with IDHS, OIG, and CQL standards.
• Oversee internal audits, compliance reviews, program evaluations, and corrective action plans to ensure continuous quality improvement.
• Lead and manage CQL accreditation activities, including coordination of Personal Outcome Measures® (POMs) interviews, Basic Assurances® implementation, and organizational self-assessment.
• Provide oversight and coordination of incident management and reporting systems, ensuring full compliance with Illinois CIRAs, OIG, and Indiana BDDS incident reporting requirements.
• Serve as the agency’s lead for OIG audits, compliance oversight, and follow-up on investigative outcomes.
• Lead the Human Rights Committee (HRC), ensuring appropriate review of restrictive interventions and the safeguarding of individual rights.
• Collaborate with program leadership and direct support teams to review data trends, identify risks, and implement proactive, person-centered solutions.
• Facilitate staff training and development on topics including quality standards, rights protections, documentation, incident reporting, and best practices for service delivery.
• Conduct root cause analyses and guide systemic improvements in response to critical incidents, audit findings, or service gaps.
• Supervise quality assurance and compliance staff and build a culture of continuous learning and accountability.
• Provide regular reports and data-driven updates to executive leadership, funding entities, and oversight bodies.
• Serve as an advocate for consumers to ensure their wants and needs in regards to their rights are respected
• Develop, implement, and maintain efficient quality improvement systems that rely on staff input, data analysis, and feedback loops to inform and guide improvement opportunities in service delivery.
• Lead all internal and external audits, including CQL, BALC, and BQM reviews, and coordinate improvement plans as needed.
• Create, review and update key quality and compliance policies and procedures.
• Demonstrate ability to independently monitor work and meet multiple deadlines
Qualifications
• A minimum of 5 years of Quality Improvement leadership experience.
• Extensive knowledge of Illinois DHS regulations, Indiana DDRS guidelines, CQL standards, and OIG investigative procedures.
• Strong analytical, project management, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and leadership abilities.
• Commitment to a person-centered, data-driven, and values-based approach to service delivery.
• Excellent computer proficiency using a variety of software and web-based applications.
• Valid driver’s license and proof of insurance.
Benefits
- Generous paid time off
- 13 Paid holidays
- Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance Plans
- Employer Paid Insurance: Basic Life/AD&D and Long-Term Disability
- Employee Assistance Program
- 403(b) with company match
- Tuition assistance
- Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness
- Ongoing training and development opportunities
Health, Safety, and Culture
Sertoma Star is an equal opportunity employer that embraces the uniqueness of every person. Sertoma understands that in order for you to work effectively and be an advocate of inclusivity, we must foster an environment that is respectful and sensitive to persons of all gender identities and from every cultural, socioeconomic, ethnic, religious, and racial background. Our open-door, team-building concept supports both agency goals and employee success.
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