Program Manager

Program Manager at Center for Independent Futures Program Manager at Center for Independent Futures in Evanston, Illinois Posted in about 24 hours ago.

Type:

full-time

Job Description:

Program Manager Center for Independent Futures | Full-time Center for Independent Futures (CIF) is looking for a thoughtful, experienced, and mission-driven Program Manager to help lead and strengthen our Direct Service team. This is a meaningful leadership role for someone who is passionate about person-centered services, staff mentorship, and supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to build full, connected, and independent lives. The Program Manager serves as a key partner to the Intake and Program Director and helps ensure that CIF's life skills coaching, service coordination, and Community Builder supports are delivered with consistency, compassion, accountability, and quality. This role is both relational and operational, combining staff support, family communication, service coordination, direct coaching, and day-to-day program leadership. The ideal candidate is someone who brings strong experience in disability services, social work, education, counseling, or a related field, and who enjoys mentoring staff, solving problems, building trust with families, and helping a team deliver excellent services. In this role, you will: Support and mentor Life Skills Coaches, Community Builders, Service Coordinators, and other Direct Service staff. Help onboard and train staff in CIF's person-centered practices, service models, expectations, and day-to-day tools. Serve as a Service Coordinator for multiple participants and families, helping ensure communication, continuity, and responsiveness. Provide direct coaching and model strong person-centered support practices. Help resolve service issues, respond to participant and family needs, and support strong follow-through. Collaborate with program leadership to strengthen service quality, team communication, staffing coverage, and Direct Service operations. Identify opportunities to improve services, procedures, staff support, and participant experience. We are looking for someone who has: A bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, education, disability services, counseling, or a related field. At least five years of relevant experience supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Experience providing leadership, supervision, training, mentoring, or program coordination. Strong communication skills and the ability to build positive relationships with participants, families, staff, and community partners. A practical, solution-oriented approach to managing multiple priorities and responding to changing needs. A deep commitment to professionalism, accountability, teamwork, and high-quality person-centered services.

Why this role matters:

The Program Manager helps turn CIF's mission into daily practice. This person supports the staff who provide direct services, helps families feel informed and supported, and ensures that participants receive thoughtful, consistent, and individualized support. It is a role for someone who wants to make a real difference through both leadership and direct connection. What Center for

Independent Futures Offers:

The salary range for this full-time position is $60,000 - $70,000, based on experience and qualifications. CIF offers a benefits package for full-time employees that includes health insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, retirement plan options, and opportunities for professional development and training. CIF also offers a mission-driven, collaborative work environment where staff have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships, contribute to high-quality person-centered services, and make a direct impact in the lives of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

To apply:

Please email your resume and cover letter to Cathy Norris, Operations Director, at cnorris@independentfutures.org