Program Manager, Independent Living Services for Housing Stability

Do you want to make a difference? Our Team Members make a difference in the lives of those we serve every day! A career at Mainstay not only helps you achieve your goals, but it will also help others achieve theirs! Mainstay Supportive Housing and Home Care, Inc. provides human services and housing programs throughout Massachusetts, including permanent supportive housing and compassionate, person-centered home care. For more than 50 years, our programs have helped hundreds of individuals achieve stability, independence, and a higher quality of life, enabling them to live productive and fulfilling lives within their own communities. Founded in 1975 to serve individuals living with mental illness, Mainstay has expanded its mission over the decades to support a diverse range of vulnerable populations, including low-income older adults, individuals with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities, and people transitioning from homelessness. Today, we remain committed to providing innovative housing and support services that promote dignity, resilience, community integration, and long-term stability. Join us in bringing meaningful, programmatic support to individuals who have been historically underserved and marginalized, including those with experiences of alcoholism, addiction, and housing instability. Our BRIDGE Program—Building Resilience, Independence, Dignity, and Growth Every Day—is grounded in compassion, respect, and a commitment to empowering people to live more stable lives in their communities. We are seeking team members who are driven by purpose and dedicated to making a lasting impact through person-centered care and supportive services. We are seeking an experienced and compassionate Program Manager to lead a community-based initiative serving clients living in permanent supportive housing communities throughout Boston and the South Shore. This is a unique opportunity for a leader who enjoys building relationships, working directly with clients, and creating systems that help people access the support they need to remain healthy, independent, and successful in their housing. The successful candidate will develop partnerships with housing providers, establish program systems and processes, supervise staff, and maintain a visible presence within partner housing communities through regular office hours and direct client engagement. What This Role Looks Like The BRIDGE program is in an exciting growth phase and needs a leader who can balance relationship-building, operational oversight, and program development. Your strong grounded leadership will support and grow this program. You will actively engage with clients on site and play a key role in shaping how clients connect with Mainstay's in-home independent living supportive services. Engage Clients and Build Trust Maintain regular office hours within partner housing communities. Build trusting relationships with clients and help them overcome barriers to program participation. Identify clients who may benefit from independent living services and support them through the enrollment process. Collaborate with partnering agency's housing staff, care managers and healthcare providers. Develop Community Partnerships Build and strengthen relationships with partnering supportive housing providers, state agencies, and healthcare partners. Serve as Mainstay's primary representative with partner agencies. Educate partners about available services, eligibility requirements, and referral processes. Develop strong referral relationships that support resident participation and long-term success. Build and Improve Program Operations Design and implement independent living support service delivery systems, workflows, documentation standards, and reporting processes. Use data, resident feedback, and partner input to improve services and outcomes. Identify operational challenges and develop practical, sustainable solutions. Lead and Develop Staff Hire, onboard, supervise, and develop staff as the program grows. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and compassion. Provide coaching and support to ensure high-quality service delivery. What Success Looks Like Within the first year, you will: Establish strong working relationships with supportive housing providers and referral partners. Create consistent office hours and client engagement practices across partner sites. Increase awareness of Mainstay's independent living programs supports among residents and community partners. Meet enrollment and participation goals. Build sustainable operational systems that support efficient service delivery and reporting. Who Thrives in This Role This position is ideal for someone who: Enjoys working directly in the community and building relationships with clients. Understands the challenges faced by individuals who have experienced homelessness, behavioral health concerns, or housing instability. Can build trust with clients, partners, and staff. Is highly organized and able to manage multiple priorities across sites and stakeholders. Takes initiative, identifies opportunities for improvement, and follows through. Remains steady, flexible, and solution-focused when circumstances change. Enjoys building programs and creating systems that help people succeed. Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, or a related field. Minimum of 3 years of experience in human services, behavioral health, supportive housing, homelessness services, community-based healthcare, or a related field. Minimum of 3 years of leadership, supervisory, or program management experience. Demonstrated experience building partnerships and collaborating across organizations. Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills. Valid driver's license and reliable transportation. Preferred Qualifications Master's degree in Social Work. Direct experience in permanent supportive housing, homelessness services, behavioral health, or community mental health settings. Experience launching, expanding, stabilizing, or significantly improving programs or services. Familiarity with Massachusetts human services systems and community resources. Work Environment This is a primarily field-based position. The Program Manager will regularly travel throughout Boston and the South Shore and maintain a consistent presence within partner housing communities through scheduled office hours, resident engagement, and partnership development activities. While some administrative work may be completed remotely, candidates should expect to spend the majority of their time working directly in the community and independently across multiple locations. What We Offer The opportunity to shape and grow a program that creates meaningful impact for individuals transitioning from chronic housing instability. A mission-driven organization committed to dignity, compassion, teamwork, and reliability. A collaborative leadership team invested in your success. Mainstay Supportive Housing and Home Care, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to apply.