Older Adult Program Manager

Job Description

Job Description

JOB TITLE : Older Adult Program Manager

STATUS: Full Time

DEPARTMENT : Community Connections

HOURS/WEEK : 40 a week. Some Saturdays required

DIRECT SUPERVISOR : Sr. Director-Community Engagement and Education

DIRECTLY SUPERVISES : Older Adult/Senior Services Staff (3-4) and volunteers/interns

Vision

To disrupt the generational cycle of poverty for the families we serve.

Mission

Marillac St. Vincent strengthens and amplifies the voices of marginalized communities – in the Vincentian spirit of service – through education and programs tailored to foster thriving families and sustainable communities in Chicago.

Core Values

Our employees commit themselves as individuals to live out the core values of integrity, excellence, creativity, advocacy, respect and empowerment in our daily work, as we serve the needs of others.

Integrity - Acting with transparency, humility and honesty

Excellence - Providing quality care with compassion

Creativity - Being continuously resourceful and inventive

Advocacy - Supporting the cause of those who lack resources for a reasonable quality of life

Respect - Recognizing our own value and upholding the dignity and value of all people

Empowerment - Providing skills and resources to achieve full human development

Team Behaviors

1. Versatility – Understanding and appreciating different and opposing perspectives on an issue; adapting one’s approach as the requirements of the situation change; an eagerness for positive action; self-control; active listening.
2. A collaborative work model – Cooperatively working and sharing responsibility; contributing to the group effort; realizing a sense of commitment and ownership in the success of the organization’s goals.
3. Mutual accountability – Holds others accountable with their roles; provides and receives feedback and takes constructive action.
4. Client/customer advocate – Identifies opportunities to improve quality of services; presents one’s self professionally.
5. Protects confidentiality & privacy – Respects and protects information about all staff and clients.

General Summary

The Older Adults Program Manager is a dynamic leadership role responsible for the strategic oversight and operational execution of Older Adult/Senior programming across both the East Garfield Park and Lincoln Park sites. This position plays a critical role in promoting the well-being, dignity, and inclusion of older adults and seniors within the community through comprehensive services, community engagement, and systems-level advocacy.

The Program Manager ensures program excellence through management of grant compliance, accurate and timely reporting, and the maintenance of high-quality program documentation and outcome tracking. A key element of the role includes supervision and development of staff dedicated to older adult and Senior services, fostering a collaborative and trauma-informed team culture focused on service quality and responsiveness to community needs.

In addition to operational leadership, the Manager will spearhead advocacy initiatives aimed at enhancing awareness, policy influence, and resource access for older adults. They will also lead the planning and execution of engaging events that strengthen social connectedness and celebrate aging, while building relationships with local partners, coalitions, and stakeholders.

Ideal candidates will be strong communicators and relationship builders, experienced in human services or aging programs, with a deep commitment to equity, community empowerment, and continuous improvement.

Duties & Responsibilities

Page Break

Program Development and Strategic Planning

1. Create and implement strategic plans and vision for growth of Older Adult/Senior Services in response to increased community need and population growth. Conduct regular community needs assessments to orient programming around community needs.
2. Facilitate community level meetings to grow and enhance available resources and strengthen partnerships.
3. Locate programmatic resources (monetary, in-kind donations, access, etc.) and identify programmatic areas for expansion and growth at all locations. Partner with Development Department staff and grant writer to identify new and varied funding sources. Prepare and submit grant materials and applications as needed.
4. Partner with Marketing and Communications Department staff to create new and adapt current marketing materials on an ongoing basis. Identify opportunities to share programmatic success stories and utilize media and social media as appropriate.
5. Collaborate with other programs at MSV on referrals, events, programming and co-enrollment across the agency as appropriate.
6. Work with Development and Senior Leadership to capture the essence of programming and grow funding.

Program Administration

1. Supervise Older Adult Services staff, interns and volunteers, including Case Managers, Program Assistant(s), and service year positions.
2. Identify areas for staff professional development and skill growth, both as a department/team and on an individual basis. Locate and facilitate training opportunities for staff (internal or external).
3. Manage and develop community-based case management programs: track and reporting on client outcomes; prepare grant audit and report materials; and responding to program referrals. Conduct field/site visits as needed.
4. Maintain current older adult socialization programs and create opportunities for expansion by locating appropriate speakers and community resources and events. Develop and implement yearly calendar of special events and activities including field trips and holiday events.
5. Identify opportunities to create and expand intergenerational programming across the agency.
6. Create yearly program budgets. Track and steward Older Adult Services budgets and distribution of funds. Fulfill all grant expectations related to Older Adult programs and services.
7. Oversee maintenance of complete and accurate client files that include assessments, interventions, and case notes

Program Evaluation

1. Create client satisfaction surveys and implement them on a yearly (or more frequent) basis. Complete additional methods of program evaluation.
2. Create and track benchmarks of program’s success and outcome measures and make recommendations for future measures. Complete monthly, quarterly and annual outcomes, statistics and reporting in a timely manner for each program.
3. Ensure all program data is accurate and updated on an ongoing basis.
4. Perform other duties as assigned by management.
5. Act with integrity and model our Core Values in the delivery of all services.

Job Requirements

Experience/Education

Bachelor’s degree in human services required. BSW or Master’s in a Social Service related field strongly preferred. At least 3 years of program and staff management experience. Experience in aging systems, policies and procedures, older adult programs, senior services, strategic/program growth.

Qualifications

Creative and motivated self-starter with a proven record of successful program development. Excellent written, verbal, computer, and presentation skills. Analytical and problem-solving skills with innate attention to detail. Proven organizational and follow-up skills. Proven ability to work independently and as a member of a team. Comfortable working with diverse clients, volunteers, staff and other service providers. Ability to handle a range of client situations calmly, professionally and respectfully. Proficient in MS Office Suite and database management. At least 3 years of program and staff management experience. Experience in aging systems, policies and procedures, older adult programs, senior services, strategic/program growth.

Language

Ability to read, speak, and write English proficiently.

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

1. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
2. Possess the ability to fulfill any all-office activities normally expected in an office setting, to include, but not limited to: remaining seated for periods of time to perform computer entry, participating in filing activity, lifting and carrying office supplies (paper reams, mail, etc.)
3. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20-25 pounds.
4. At times, may require more than 40 hours per week, including weekends, to perform the essential duties of the position.
5. Fine hand manipulation (keyboarding).
6. Ability to drive and/or commute between multiple locations.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Internal office space.
2. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.