Program Manager

Program Manager

Ability Specialists | Denver, Colorado | In-Person Full-Time

Position Summary

Ability Specialists is seeking a highly organized, dependable Program Manager to oversee the day-to-day coordination and execution of our programs serving neurodivergent adults and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The Program Manager ensures that daily programs operate smoothly, staff understand their responsibilities, participant needs are coordinated, schedules are maintained, and operational issues are addressed quickly and appropriately.

Working closely with the Director of Programs & Community Engagement, the Program Manager translates program expectations into consistent daily execution.

Simply put: the Director defines what excellent programming looks like; the Program Manager helps ensure it happens every day.

Key ResponsibilitiesDaily Program Operations

• Coordinate day-to-day program operations and activities.
• Maintain program, participant, and staff schedules.
• Coordinate staffing coverage, call-outs, and daily schedule changes.
• Lead or coordinate daily staff huddles and communicate operational priorities.
• Monitor attendance and ensure attendance records are accurate and complete.
• Coordinate participant annual meetings, behavior-related scheduling, and other recurring program appointments.
• Identify and resolve routine operational issues and escalate significant concerns appropriately.
• Ensure staff have the information, resources, and direction needed for successful daily program delivery.

Staff Coordination & Accountability

• Provide day-to-day direction and support to program staff.
• Communicate schedules, assignments, priorities, and operational changes.
• Monitor completion of assigned responsibilities and follow up when expectations are not met.
• Support onboarding and training of program staff in coordination with leadership.
• Identify recurring performance or workflow concerns and escalate them to the Director.
• Reinforce organizational procedures, communication expectations, and accountability.

Participant & Program Coordination

• Support a consistent, positive participant experience across programs.
• Coordinate routine participant needs, schedules, and program logistics.
• Maintain timely communication with appropriate team members regarding participant needs or changes.
• Ensure required program documentation and administrative follow-up are completed.
• Escalate significant participant, family, behavioral, or service concerns to the appropriate leader.

Systems, Documentation & Communication

• Maintain accurate program information within ICS and other designated systems.
• Ensure program schedules, attendance, documentation, and operational records remain current.
• Implement established workflows and procedures consistently.
• Coordinate with Operations regarding system, technology, facility, or process issues affecting program delivery.
• Track program-related action items and deadlines.
• Identify recurring workflow challenges and recommend improvements to leadership.

Role Boundaries

The Program Manager owns daily program execution, but does not replace director-level leadership.

The Program Manager does not have primary ownership of:

• Overall program strategy or program development
• Community partnerships and external relationship development
• Organizational strategy
• Systems or technology strategy
• Financial strategy
• Final hiring, termination, or major disciplinary decisions
• Clinical decisions outside the scope of the position
• Executive-level organizational decisions

These responsibilities remain with the appropriate Director, Operations leader, or CEO.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in program coordination, program management, human services, healthcare, disability services, or a related environment preferred.
• Previous experience coordinating staff, schedules, or daily operations.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage changing priorities and solve day-to-day operational problems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to hold others accountable while maintaining positive working relationships.
• High attention to detail and consistent follow-through.
• Comfortable learning and working across multiple technology platforms.
• Experience supporting neurodivergent individuals or individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities strongly preferred.

What Success Looks Like

The Program Manager is successful when:

• Daily programs operate consistently and with fewer last-minute disruptions.
• Staff schedules and coverage are clear and proactively managed.
• Morning huddles provide staff with clear daily priorities.
• Attendance, schedules, and program documentation remain accurate and current.
• Routine issues are resolved without unnecessary leadership escalation.
• Staff understand what is expected of them and follow through consistently.
• Participant needs and program logistics are coordinated effectively.
• The Director has greater capacity to focus on program quality, participant experience, community relationships, and program growth.
• Operations leadership has greater capacity to focus on systems, technology, processes, and organizational infrastructure.

Pay: $60,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person