Program Manager

Program Manager

Full-Time 45000 - 52800 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and manage a therapeutic residence, ensuring quality care and support for youth.
  • Company: Seaford House Therapeutic Residence, dedicated to providing trauma-informed services.
  • Benefits: Comprehensive health insurance, 401(k) matching, tuition assistance, and wellness perks.
  • Other info: Flexible schedule required; great opportunity for personal and professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people while developing your leadership skills.
  • Qualifications: Master's degree in relevant field and experience with youth in challenging environments.

The predicted salary is between 45000 - 52800 £ per year.

  • Description
  • Seaford House Therapeutic Residence is seeking a Program Manager
  • SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Chief Program Officer, the Program Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, administration, supervision, quality, safety, and operation of Seaford House.

The Program Manager provides oversight of residential, behavioral, recreational, and administrative functions; supervises program leadership staff, including the Clinical Team Leader and Youth Advocate Supervisors; and ensures the delivery of safe, structured, trauma-informed services consistent with agency, licensing, accreditation, and contractual requirements.

The Program Manager serves as the primary operational leader of the program and is responsible for staffing, program performance, quality improvement, incident oversight, stakeholder collaboration, and the implementation of program goals and objectives.

Due to the nature of residential services, the work schedule for this position may vary based on program needs and is not limited to traditional business hours.

Evening, weekend, holiday, on-call, and crisis response responsibilities may be required to support youth, staff, and program operations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Supervision & Leadership
  • Provides supervision and leadership to assigned supervisory and leadership staff, including Youth Advocate Supervisors, the Clinical Team Leader, and other assigned program staff.
  • Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.
  • Recruits, supervises, evaluates, coaches, and develops staff.
  • Promotes effective communication, teamwork, professionalism, accountability, and positive staff culture throughout the program.
  • Identifies staff development needs and ensures appropriate training and professional growth opportunities.
  • Provides consultation and support to staff during crises and other significant program events.
  • Participates in on-call leadership coverage as assigned.
  • Provides administrative supervision to the Clinical Team Leader and ensures effective coordination between clinical, residential, educational, medical, and case management services.
  • Program Operations, Quality & Compliance
  • Oversees daily program operations and ensures compliance with agency standards, licensing requirements, accreditation standards, contractual obligations, and program policies.
  • Implements program goals, objectives, policies, and procedures.
  • Oversees referrals, admissions, census management, utilization, staffing patterns, and overall program performance.
  • Maintains responsibility for final review and submission of reportable events, incident documentation, corrective action plans, and required regulatory reporting.
  • Monitors program quality, operational data, incident trends, and outcomes to identify improvement opportunities and implement corrective actions.
  • Oversees licensing readiness, accreditation compliance, quality improvement activities, and ongoing program monitoring.
  • Coordinates staff training and professional development activities and ensures completion of required trainings and certifications.
  • Prepares and maintains reports, records, and documentation required by agency, regulatory, contractual, accreditation, and funding requirements.
  • Participates in budget development, budget monitoring, resource management, and contract performance activities.
  • Ensures direct service and program compliance with agency standards, contract funding requirements, and organizational expectations.
  • Participates in stakeholder meetings and maintains collaborative relationships with licensing, funders, schools, courts, providers, law enforcement, community partners, and other stakeholders.
  • Behavioral, Residential & Youth Programming
  • Provides leadership and oversight for residential operations and implementation of the program's behavior management philosophy.
  • Ensures behavioral interventions, crisis response practices, incentives, consequences, supervision expectations, and youth engagement strategies are implemented consistently across all shifts.
  • Reviews serious incidents, restraints, AWOLs, police involvement, contraband concerns, and other significant events to ensure appropriate response, documentation, communication, and follow-up.
  • Provides coaching and support to supervisory staff regarding behavior management, crisis intervention, de‑escalation, staff accountability, and youth engagement strategies.
  • Oversees development and implementation of structured recreational, life skills, community engagement, volunteer, and enrichment programming.
  • Ensures youth programming supports positive youth development, therapeutic goals, relationship building, skill development, and meaningful engagement.
  • Reviews youth feedback, program participation, and engagement opportunities to support continuous program improvement.
  • Works collaboratively with the Clinical Team Leader to ensure residential and therapeutic programming are aligned and responsive to youth needs.
  • Leads efforts to reduce serious incidents and strengthen the overall safety, stability, and quality of the program.
  • Miscellaneous
  • May provide direct services in accordance with agency standards and procedures as needed.
  • Participates in agency meetings, committees, professional meetings, court proceedings, stakeholder meetings, and community activities as assigned or approved.
  • Maintains agency standards regarding confidentiality, quality, productivity, and professionalism.
  • Performs other duties as assigned and/or required.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

  • Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Human Services Administration, Public Administration, or a related field required.
  • Five (5) or more years of experience working with adolescents, child welfare-involved youth, youth with behavioral or emotional challenges, or youth in residential treatment settings preferred.
  • Previous supervisory or management experience required.

Experience managing residential, behavioral health, child welfare, juvenile justice, or youth‑serving programs strongly preferred.

  • Clinical licensure preferred but not required.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Ability to respond appropriately to the cultural differences present among the agency's service population.
  • Ability to lead and develop staff through a variety of coaching, supervision, and training methods.
  • Strong knowledge of trauma‑informed care, positive youth development, behavior management, crisis intervention, and residential services.
  • Demonstrated leadership, decision‑making, and problem‑solving skills.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills.
  • Strong organizational, time management, and project management skills.
  • Ability to analyze program performance, incident data, and operational outcomes to inform decision‑making and continuous improvement.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with youth, families, staff, community partners, funders, regulators, and other stakeholders.
  • Ability to work independently and accurately while managing multiple priorities.
  • Ability to review, interpret, and apply agency policies, licensing regulations, accreditation standards, contractual, and best practices.
  • Ability to work a flexible schedule based on program needs, including evenings, weekends, holidays, participation in an on‑call rotation, and other hours necessary to support program operations and crisis response.
  • OCCL Regulations require all staff to complete required annual training and maintain applicable certifications.
  • Must have reliable transportation and a valid driver's license that meets the requirements of the agency's insurance carrier.
  • PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear.

The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

The employee is occasionally required to sit.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

EOE Full-time with benefits

Benefits include

  • Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
  • 401 (k) Plan with matching
  • Vacation, Sick, Personal and Holiday Pay
  • Tuition Assistance
  • Life Insurance
  • Short and Long Term Disability Insurance
  • Perks Plus Wellness benefits
  • #J-18808-Ljbffr

Program Manager employer: Children and Families First Delaware Inc

Seaford House Therapeutic Residence is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and professional growth of its staff. With a strong commitment to trauma-informed care, employees benefit from comprehensive training opportunities, a supportive work culture, and a range of benefits including health insurance and tuition assistance. Located in a community-focused environment, the role of Program Manager offers the chance to make a meaningful impact on the lives of youth while collaborating with dedicated professionals in a dynamic setting.

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Contact Details:

Children and Families First Delaware Inc Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Program Manager

Dive into Local Community Groups

Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Children and Families First Delaware Inc.

Attend Social Work Events and Workshops

Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Children and Families First Delaware Inc!

Showcase Your Passion and Expertise

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Leverage Your Network

Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Children and Families First Delaware Inc or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.

We think you need these skills to ace Program Manager

Leadership Skills
Supervisory Skills
Crisis Intervention
Trauma-Informed Care
Behaviour Management
Communication Skills
Organisational Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.

Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!

Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!

Tailor Your Application to Children and Families First Delaware Inc:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Children and Families First Delaware Inc! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Children and Families First Delaware Inc

Understanding the Role of Empathy

In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.

Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks

Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.

Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills

In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.

Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.