Program Manager

Overview

This position is open until filled with an initial application review to take place on July 27, 2026

The starting salary range for this position is $9,077.00 - $10,298.00 per month depending upon qualifications and is non-negotiable.

FUNCTION OF THE UNIT

Academy for Professional Excellence, a project of San Diego State University School of Social Work, was established in 1996 with the goal of revolutionizing the way people work to ensure the world is a healthier place. Our services integrate culturally responsive and recovery-oriented practices into our daily work to promote healing and healthy relationships. Providing approximately 50,000 learning experiences to health and human service and justice system professionals annually, the Academy provides a variety of workforce development solutions in Southern California and beyond. With seven programs, three divisions and over 100 staff, the Academy’s mission is to provide exceptional learning and development experiences for the transformation of individuals, organizations, and communities. 

As a member of the Academy team you will be engaging in communal development of heart, mind, and practice. You are expected to foster culturally responsive practice behaviors to promote well-being and a culture that focuses on healing, healthy relationships and changed behaviors.

Southern Area Consortium of Human Services (SACHS) is a partnership of Southern California County Human Services Directors, universities with Schools of Social Work and the Academy for Professional Excellence. SACHS serves as a forum for county directors to explore and exchange ideas and information on issues facing public human services and to develop strategies for addressing these issues while maintaining a holistic, person-centered approach, and a social equity lens. SACHS engages in strategy discussions, fiscal planning, research, policy development, executive development, and succession planning (via Leaders in Action) to improve the quality, accountability, and responsiveness of human services in the Southern California region. SACHS provides dynamic and influential leadership, cutting-edge knowledge, and best practices in the county human services arena, impacting social policies and advancing organizational excellence and social equity to help promote safe, healthy, and thriving individuals, families and communities in the Southern California region.

Leaders in Action (LIA) is a leadership development program that originated out of an interest from Southern Area Consortium of Human Services (SACHS) directors for an executive talent pipeline to fill executive positions. LIA incorporates evidence-based approaches to succession planning and executive development in a way that is tailored to the needs of the SACHS counties. The program’s ultimate goal is to create a critical mass of highly competent executives in the Southern California region ready for tomorrow’s county leadership opportunities and challenges.

Responsibilities

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

Under the general direction of the Executive Director, the SACHS/LIA Program Manager is responsible for the overall management of the SACHS and LIA programs. The SACHS/LIA Program Manager works closely with SACHS Directors to facilitate virtual and in-person meetings, develop agendas that meet the needs of the Directors, coordinate guest speakers, facilitate communication between meetings, and meet the research needs of SACHS. For the LIA program, the Manager creates the overarching vision for the program, contributing expertise in executive leadership development. The SACHS/LIA Program Manager establishes the sequencing of course topics, identifies and provides support to trainers with expertise in each topic, shares feedback and evaluation data with trainers, and supports learners with their capstone project.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

This is a 40 hour a week hybrid with remote flexibility position, typically working M-F from 8:00 to 4:30 p.m. and is based on contract funding subject to annual renewal. The position requires intermittent overnight travel and may be subject to intermittent work shifts outside of normal business hours, including weekends and evenings if needed. 

This position requires that you reside within California throughout the duration of your employment and live within a commutable distance from the worksite your work supports. Positions are typically assigned to either our Riverside or San Diego office for any on-site work.

Note: some duties may include working with and/or exposure to sensitive/traumatic topics or material dealing with child abuse, abuse against older adults and adults with disabilities, and/or issues and scenarios related to mental health, substance use, or racism.

The Academy is a project of the San Diego State University Research Foundation, which is grant-funded and serves as an auxiliary to the University. The Academy is based near, but not on campus, and does not have direct responsibilities for working with or teaching college students.

The Academy is currently going through a reclassification process. If this position’s classification changes during this process, it would not change the role, responsibilities, or compensation of the position.

LEADERS IN ACTION (55%)

PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION (35%)

• Plan, organize, and direct LIA program activities.  
• Share evaluation data and participant feedback with LIA trainers.
• Support and liaison with LIA participants to ensure their learning goals are met. 
• Collaborate with various Academy staff who provide program coordination, administrative support, and research and evaluation for the LIA program.
• Assist LIA participants with their capstone projects and facilitate the Mock Board presentation day.
• Work closely with the Executive Director and Dean of the College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) on the potential expansion of LIA to the CHHS.
• Ensure LIA training curriculum meets accessibility standards.
• Establish and monitor progress toward program goals and priorities.
• Develop and implement program management and training tracking systems.
• Develop, monitor, and track program budgets and expenditures.
• Develop and administer program policies and procedures.
• Evaluate and enhance program goals and objectives.
• Direct and manage ongoing training needs assessments.
• Deliver presentations to various audiences.
• Write annual program reports.
• Remain current on emerging health and human services issues and executive development research and practices to ensure currency of training.

TRAINING AND FACILITATION (15%)

• Develop executive development program curriculum based on current or emerging health and human services issues, executive development research and practice, and SACHS Director recommendations.
• Determine which leadership course topics and the sequencing of topics to include in the LIA program, based on needs identified from SACHS Directors.
• Recruit and develop trainers and facilitators to provide training, coaching, and/or facilitation on health and human services leadership development topics; 
• Work with trainers, coaches, facilitators, and subject matter experts who are developing content and delivering services on behalf of the Academy to ensure stakeholder needs are met.
• Work closely with other Academy teams including Fiscal, Facilities, and Systems team on contracting with trainers, reserving locations for training, and ensuring smooth operations on training days.
• Provide coaching and training to Academy leaders to support practice integration and systems change, in alignment with the People Development Strategy Team priorities.
• Partner with the People Development Strategy Team to develop learning experiences for Academy leaders.
• Pick up and/or receive materials, supplies, and food for LIA training days.
• Facilitate LIA training sessions (in-person and/or virtually), providing introductions, consultation, time management, and feedback. 
• Occasionally, train and/or co-train leadership development training topics.
• Coach LIA participants on executive leadership and/or oversee Academy staff and/or external service providers who are coaching LIA participants.

TASK SUPERVISION (5%)

• Provide direction to the SACHS/LIA Executive Administrator regarding what tasks they need to perform to support the LIA program.
• Meet with the SACHS/LIA Executive Administrator to provide consultation and training on task completion for the LIA program. 
• Give feedback to the Academy Executive Director regarding the job performance of the SACHS/LIA Executive Administrator.

SOUTHERN AREA CONSORTIUM OF HUMAN SERVICES (SACHS) (35%)

PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION (20%)

• Work closely with the Executive Director to plan, organize, and direct SACHS program activities.  
• Coordinate subcommittees of SACHS and promote two-way communication between subcommittees and Directors.
• Facilitate the SACHS workgroup on reducing disparities.
• Collaborate with various Academy staff who provide program coordination, administrative support, and research and evaluation for SACHS programs.
• Work closely with other Academy teams including Fiscal, Facilities, and Systems team on oversight of the SACHS budget, reserving locations for meeting dates, coordinating meals for SACHS Directors, and ensuring smooth operations on meeting days.
• Establish and monitor progress toward program goals and priorities.
• Develop and implement program management and training tracking systems.
• Develop, monitor, and track program budgets and expenditures.
• Develop and administer program policies and procedures.
• Evaluate and enhance program goals and objectives.
• Liaison with SACHS Directors participants.
• Deliver presentations to various audiences.
• Write annual program reports.
• Remain current on emerging health and human services issues to ensure currency of technical assistance.

FACILITATION (5%)

• Develop quarterly meeting agendas for in-person and virtual check-in meetings, based on the needs and goals of SACHS Directors.
• Prepare the SACHS Chair and/or Vice Chair for meeting facilitation. 
• Co-facilitate quarterly in-person meetings with SACHS Directors and virtual check-in meetings with the Executive Director and SACHS Chair.
• Accurately capture notes from SACHS meetings and distribute them to SACHS Directors.
• Follow up on action items from SACHS meetings. 

STAKEHOLDER RELATIONS (5%)

• Plan regular meetings with staff from partner programs and divisions who support the SACHS program.
• Communicate with SACHS Directors between meetings on various time-sensitive issues and in response to Directors’ requests.
• Interface with a variety of partners from across the state (including, but not limited to, California Department of Social Services, County Welfare Directors Association, Child Welfare Directors, Southern California Schools of Social Work, and Academy external service providers-trainers/ coaches/facilitators/curriculum developers). 
• Work closely with State leaders and other guests invited to SACHS meetings to ensure clarity of topics to be discussed. 
• Effectively manage politically sensitive issues among key stakeholders.

TASK SUPERVISION (5%)

• Provide direction to the SACHS/LIA Executive Administrator regarding what tasks they need to perform to support the SACHS program.
• Meet with the SACHS/LIA Executive Administrator to provide consultation and training on task completion for the SACHS program. 
• Give feedback to the Academy Executive Director regarding the job performance of the SACHS/LIA Executive Administrator.

ACADEMY SHARED LEADERSHIP TEAM (5%)

Specific Duties

• Participate on the Academy's Shared Leadership Team.
• Engage in strategic planning and decision-making regarding issues impacting organizational culture, growth, and expansion.
• Participate in all Academy required activities including All Staff meetings, SLT retreat, and Academy staff picnic.

OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED (5%) 

• Perform other duties as assigned which are in the best interests of the Academy for Professional Excellence.
• Travel to off-site locations for Academy and Program meetings (primarily in Riverside and San Diego).

QUALIFICATIONS & SPECIAL SKILLS

Knowledge and Abilities:

• Ability to work in a team setting & relate well to others within the Academy for Professional Excellence environment
• Ability to effectively handle interpersonal interactions at all levels of the organization
• Ability to interact effectively with co-workers, partners, and professionals
• Ability to understand and follow posted work rules and procedures
• Ability to display motivation and strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to display organization and meet deadlines 
• Ability to display good judgment and critical thinking skills 
• Ability to demonstrate a high level of cross-cultural sensitivity
• Fundamental written and oral communication skills, including a sound foundation in English grammar, spelling, and punctuation
• Advanced knowledge of Health and Human Services (HHS) systems, policies & procedures.
• Ability to understand, interpret, and communicate procedures, policies, information, and instructions
• Expertise in using office software packages, technology, and systems
• Ability to be detail-oriented
• Knowledge of trauma-informed and recovery-oriented principles
• Ability to foster a relationship that reflects our vision of diversity, equity, and inclusion

• Knowledge of adult learning theory concepts, coaching, and current leadership development trends
• Strong meeting facilitation skills
• Ability to develop and deliver curricula in a variety of modalities
• Ability to effectively manage multiple projects and priorities, including meeting deadlines
• Ability to independently interpret a wide variety of complex policies and procedures integral to the program/project to which the position is assigned
• Ability to plan, coordinate & initiate actions necessary to implement group decision, organizational development & administrative skills
• Ability to carry out assignments without detailed instructions
• Ability to travel within California - primarily southern California regions - and to national conferences when applicable
• Excellent interpersonal skills such as diplomacy, accurate listening/speaking skills, and the ability to collaborate and work well with a wide variety of contacts; writes well, including clear, concise correspondence.
• Executive presence: Self-starter with a keen sense of ownership, commitment to the work, and a passion for delivering results.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree OR additional experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.

• Six (6) years of progressively responsible experience, three (3) of which managing employees.

PREFERRED QUALIFIACTIONS:

• Masters in public health, social work, human services or a related field.
• Six (6) years of experience in health and human services, public administration, or related field.
• Five (5) years experience in health and human services executive leadership.
• Three (3) years of experience providing training and/or coaching.
• (A master’s degree may be substituted for years of experience, up to two years)
• Two (2) years experience developing, implementing, and evaluating training programs. 
• Experience using multiple training modalities, including virtual training.
• Two (2) years experience working with Diversity, Inclusion, or Equity programs or initiatives

ADDITIONAL APPLICANT INFORMATION

• Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check).
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin or any other categories protected by federal or state law.  
• Employment decisions are based on an individual’s qualifications as they relate to the job under consideration. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has equal access to resources and support. 
• SDSU Research Foundation complies with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), and other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws including grant or contract terms and conditions related to funded program activities. Further the SDSU Research Foundation maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices.  
• SDSU Research Foundation makes all employment decisions including, but not limited to, applicant screening, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, benefits, disciplinary actions, and terminations on the basis of merit.