Program Manager

Behavioral Health Allies•Kansas City, KS

3h•$60,000

About The Position

The Program Manager (PM) is a frontline leader within Behavioral Health Allies’ Community Living division and serves as the primary executor and implementer of services within assigned residential homes. Program Managers are directly accountable for the quality of care, staff performance, compliance, safety, and culture within the homes they oversee. The Program Manager is embedded in the homes and responsible for day-to-day execution. PMs lead through presence, accountability, and follow-through. The Program Manager is the direct leader of DSPs and Shift Supervisors and is responsible for building stable, well-trained, high-performing teams. The Program Manager is people-focused and outcomes-driven, with a primary emphasis on staff training, retention, service quality, regulatory compliance, and safe, well-run homes. Program Managers are responsible for ensuring that daily operations, staff practices, and home environments align with Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) principles and evidence-based behavior support, in close partnership with the clinical team.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent professional experience required
Minimum of two (2) years of supervisory or management experience
Minimum of two (2) years’ experience in residential services, HCBS programs, or supporting individuals with complex behavioral or developmental needs preferred
Experience working with challenging behaviors required
Strong leadership presence with an ownership mentality
Ability to train, coach, and hold staff accountable
Working knowledge of DMH, Medicaid, and Community Living standards
Innovative problem-solver who challenges outdated practices
High accountability and follow-through
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, 24/7 environment
Ability to lead calmly and decisively in high-pressure situations
Organizational and time management proficiency
Strong leadership, organizational, and time management skills
Excellent verbal and written communication abilities
Knowledge of crisis management, safety, and compliance standards
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and operational data management systems
Employees must maintain sufficient physical stamina, balance, coordination, and emotional regulation to lead effectively in both residential and office-based environments.
Must be able to implement and sustain trained crisis intervention and de-escalation procedures (PCMA) in accordance with policy.
Must demonstrate the ability to remain calm, alert, and physically capable during high-stress or physically demanding situations involving persons served with challenging behaviors.
Must possess the fine motor, gross motor, and sensory abilities necessary to operate computers, assistive technology, and classroom equipment safely and effectively.
Employees must maintain professional conduct, emotional regulation, and leadership presence at all times, including during crisis events or exposure to aggressive behaviors.
Employees must follow all BHA safety protocols, behavior support plans, and crisis intervention procedures.
Continuous alertness is required to ensure safety and supervision of persons served; sleeping or inattention during supervision is prohibited.
Employees may be required to work varied hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and overnight shifts, to ensure staffing coverage and continuity of care.
Employees may be required to work directly with individuals served during training, emergencies, or staffing shortages.
Employees must maintain confidentiality, respect, and dignity toward all persons served, families, and colleagues, regardless of behavioral presentation.

Nice To Haves

Minimum of two (2) years’ experience in residential services, HCBS programs, or supporting individuals with complex behavioral or developmental needs preferred

Responsibilities

Ensures all individuals are treated with dignity, respect, and compassion at all times
Holds staff accountable for professional, respectful interactions with individuals served
Immediately addresses any behavior by staff that compromises physical or emotional safety
Models trauma-informed, respectful leadership in all interactions
Ensures daily routines, supports, and activities reflect individual preferences, goals, and needs
Verifies that Behavior Support Plans (BSPs) and individual plans are implemented with fidelity
Coaches DSPs on person-centered language, choice, and autonomy
Partners with clinical teams to adjust supports based on individual progress and needs
Ensures BSPs and clinical programming are implemented using ABA principles and evidence-based interventions
Monitors behavioral and skill-acquisition data to ensure supports are effective and implemented with fidelity
Promotes meaningful community involvement and inclusion for individuals served
Ensures DSPs actively engage individuals in relationships, routines, and activities
Builds and maintains positive relationships with families, guardians, and stakeholders
Fosters a home culture where individuals feel safe, valued, and connected
Oversees delivery of comprehensive supports addressing behavioral, emotional, physical, and social needs
Ensures medical appointments, medication administration, and health-related documentation are accurate and compliant
Monitors individual well-being and escalates concerns promptly
Collaborates with clinical, medical, and support teams to ensure continuity of care
Ensures operational routines, staffing, and environments support clinical intent and behavioral goals
Ensures individuals are supported to build independence and life skills through daily routines
Coaches staff to use daily activities as opportunities for growth and success
Monitors staff engagement and ensures individuals are meaningfully occupied
Celebrates progress and reinforces positive outcomes for individuals and staff
Ensures DSPs embed ABA-based teaching, reinforcement, and skill development into daily routines
Reinforces the use of structured routines, predictable expectations, and positive reinforcement
Maintains full compliance with DMH, Medicaid, and BHA standards
Ensures all documentation is accurate, timely, and audit-ready at all times
Conducts routine internal audits, fidelity checks, and corrective actions
Addresses compliance gaps immediately and documents follow-through
Leads with transparency and accountability in decision-making
Conducts fidelity checks of BSP and programming implementation and addresses drift through coaching and corrective action
Directly leads, trains, and supervises DSPs and Shift Supervisors
Personally participates in onboarding and in-home training of new staff
Provides ongoing coaching, feedback, and performance management
Identifies training needs and partners with the Operations Manager and HR
Supports staff retention through engagement, clarity, and accountability
Serves as a day-to-day champion of ABA principles within the home, reinforcing expectations with DSPs and Shift Supervisors
Models belief in evidence-based behavioral practices and aligns ABA principles with BHA’s mission, values, and Standards of Excellence
Ensures staffing ratios are met and fills shifts as needed to maintain continuity of care
Maintains predictable routines, schedules, and expectations within the home
Responds calmly and effectively during crises or high-stress situations
Leads and assists with crisis response using approved PCM techniques
Ensures incidents are documented, reviewed, and used for continuous improvement
Ensure employees follow all BHA standards
Maintains clean, safe, and sanitary homes at all times
Conducts regular safety and environmental walkthroughs
Oversees maintenance, repairs, vehicles, and equipment
Ensures emergency preparedness and adherence to safety protocols
Ensure all homes remain audit-ready at all times
Monitor compliance with DMH, HCBS, Medicaid, and internal standards
Manages assigned homes in alignment with approved budgets and financial targets
Reviews and approves staff timecards accurately and timely; monitors overtime and staffing efficiency
Monitors client-specific budgets and identifies variances or concerns proactively
Audits client funds, spending logs, and receipts to ensure accuracy, compliance, and ethical use
Ensures all client purchases and expenditures align with person-centered plans and funding requirements
Partners with Operations Manager and Business Office on budget variance explanations and corrective actions
Identifies cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality of care or safety
Ensures proper use, tracking, and safeguarding of company and client resources
Serves as an on-call leader, including nights, weekends, and holidays as scheduled or required
Responds promptly and professionally to staffing, safety, and operational issues outside of standard business hours
Actively works to fill open shifts by contacting available staff and coordinating coverage
Is expected to report to the home and work shifts personally when staffing cannot be secured and ratios must be maintained
Ensures staffing ratios and coverage requirements are met at all times
Makes real-time decisions to protect client safety, service continuity, and compliance
Communicates escalations and resolutions clearly and timely to the Operations Manager
Models ownership and accountability during high-stress or urgent situations
Conduct staff training, supervision, and performance evaluations as assigned
Participate in on-call rotations for behavioral crisis response
Complete all documentation, billing, and reporting requirements in accordance with BHA and regulatory guidelines
Uphold BHA’s mission, values, and Standards of Excellences values in all work performed