Manager, Program Operations & Supportive Services

Joliet Junior College•Joliet, IL

2d•$70,689 - $79,526•Onsite

About The Position

The Manager, Program Operations & Supportive Services serves as the institutional lead for the design, oversight, and effectiveness of WEI supportive services, while maintaining an active role in accountability for grant compliance, fiscal oversight, staff supervision, and program performance. The position exercises functional authority over supportive services delivery models, complex participant determinations, and service prioritization, ensuring equitable, compliant, and outcome-driven support for WEI participants.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in education, social services, workforce development, public administration, or related field.
Progressive experience managing grant funded programs with direct responsibility for compliance, reporting, and staff supervision.
Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment in complex regulatory and operational environments.
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with other members of the college and community, displaying cultural competence as well as emotional intelligence.
Demonstrated commitment to the college’s core values of respect and inclusion, sustainability, integrity, collaboration, humor and well-being, innovation and quality.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Experience with Workforce Empowerment Initiative (WEI) or similar state or federally funded workforce programs.
English and Spanish verbal and written communication proficiency.
Demonstrated multicultural competence

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary accountable authority for WEI supportive services and program operations, ensuring full compliance with grant, state, and institutional requirements.
Direct the implementation of grant policies, procedures, and internal controls to ensure audit readiness and achievement of required performance benchmarks.
Manage and provide functional leadership for intake, eligibility determination, assessment, case management, and barrier reduction services, including direct involvement in complex determinations and service escalations.
Coordinate workflows across recruitment, supportive services, training, and Continuing Education registration, ensuring operational consistency and efficiency.
Monitor grant budgets and supportive service expenditures, exercising managerial discretion to align resources with program priorities and allowable cost guidelines.
Prepare, review, and submit programmatic, fiscal, and performance reports in collaboration with the Assistant Director of Workforce Development, analyzing outcomes and directing corrective actions as necessary.
Supervise WEI program staff, including assigning work, establishing priorities, monitoring performance, and conducting formal performance evaluations.
Provide operational leadership and guidance to ensure staff adherence to grant requirements, data integrity standards, and service delivery expectations.
Ensure confidentiality, data integrity, and compliance with all record keeping, reporting, and participant data requirements.
Provide direct oversight and decision making for complex or high risk participant cases, including determinations related to eligibility, allowable supports, escalation of barriers, and resolution of non routine issues.
Serve as the lead authority for WEI supportive services, establishing service standards, eligibility interpretations, and prioritization frameworks in accordance with grant and institutional requirements.
Guide and mentor supportive services staff on best practices, regulatory interpretation, and case management strategies while maintaining supervisory accountability for performance and outcomes.
Evaluate the effectiveness and equity impact of supportive services delivery and implement service model improvements to meet performance benchmarks and participant needs.