Program Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Do you wish to build stronger local healthcare systems across Santa Cruz County and neighboring regions? Do you aspire to be part of a dynamic team focused on generating enduring, sustainable, and workforce development programs across the Central Coastal Region? If so, apply for the Program Manager role that has opened at the Health Improvement Partnership of Santa Cruz County (HIP)! 

As a catalyst for equity, the Program Manager will focus on being a key contributor toward the success and progress of the Santa Cruz County Health Workforce Council. Some key duties and responsibilities for this role include:

Core Functions:

• Build and maintain cross-sector partnerships with healthcare employers, education partners, workforce agencies, community organizations, and regional stakeholders across Santa Cruz County and the Central Coast.
• Under the guidance of the Senior Program Manager, manage grant-funded workforce initiatives and support program planning, implementation, sustainability strategies, and grant deliverables that advance health equity and strengthen the regional healthcare workforce.
• Support the implementation of the Health Career Connection Workforce Initiative Network’s regional health workforce strategies and work plan.
• Collaborate with Program leadership to develop, track, and manage program budgets and ensure effective use of grant funds.
• Collaborate with Program leadership to implement revenue diversification strategies and identify resources that support the sustainability of the Workforce Development program.
• Collect and analyze workforce data, labor-market trends, partner input, and implementation outcomes to monitor progress, inform regional planning and investment, and support continuous improvement.
• Track healthcare workforce policies, funding opportunities, and emerging workforce development practices to inform program and regional strategy.
• Support and regularly attend HIP convenings, including biweekly staff meetings, the HIP Council, Santa Cruz County Health Workforce Council, and Annual Board Meeting.
• Travel to mandatory funder meetings, convenings, conferences, and other program activities throughout Santa Cruz County, the Central Coast, and statewide.

Assigned Program Functions:

• Coordinate with partners to advance shared priorities related to healthcare workforce recruitment, training, retention, career advancement, workforce funding, training resources, reimbursement opportunities, and relevant state and regional initiatives.
• Co-facilitate the Health Workforce Council and related workgroups, convenings, employer sessions, and partner meetings.
• Support employer engagement and align workforce activities with regional hiring needs, educational capacity, and community priorities.
• Co-develop education-to-employment strategies and career pathways for priority healthcare occupations, including apprenticeships, clinical placements, work-based learning, and incumbent-worker training.
• Support event planning, logistics, and execution for in-person convenings, programmatic events, meetings, and other partner activities.
• Support efforts to secure sponsorships, shared investments, partner contributions, and other resources that strengthen the regional workforce collaborative.

Qualifications :

• Minimum education: Bachelor’s degree OR commensurate years of experience in a related field (3-5 years). 
  • Preferred: Master’s degree in Public Health, Public Policy, Business/Public Administration, Nursing, Social Work or related field.
• Minimum three years of project/program management experience of high complexity in healthcare and/or an equivalent combination of graduate education and experience.
• Experience working in healthcare workforce development, employer engagement, education and training pathways, career development, health equity, or regional workforce planning.
• Experience collaborating with healthcare employers, educational institutions, workforce agencies, community-based organizations, and other cross-sector partners is highly desirable.
• Experience with coalition building, stakeholder management, and engagement.
• Experience working in a multi-disciplinary, cross-cultural healthcare work environment.
• Knowledge of healthcare entities, community-based organizations, and social service organizations in Santa Cruz County.
• Demonstrated competency with quality improvement, project analysis, reporting, and delivering presentations.
• Proven ability to effectively lead and manage multiple, long-term, complex projects and budgets while working on a collaborative team.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and G-Suite, including advanced skills in Excel and PowerPoint.
• Proficiency in utilizing virtual meeting platforms like Zoom (meeting, webinar, etc.).
• Some knowledge of visual design and marketing to support the development of programmatic and education-related materials.
• Professional writing skills in English.
• Event planning and organizing experience.
• Reliable transportation and willingness to travel in and out of the tri-county area (Santa Cruz, San Benito, Monterey counties).

Compensation and Classification

HIP is committed to fair, equitable, and transparent compensation practices. To support consistency and equity in our hiring process, we do not negotiate starting salaries. Compensation is determined based on the position’s classification, scope, and responsibilities.

The Program Manager position is classified as Level 3A and is budgeted at 1.0 FTE, with an annual full-time salary of $83,388.76. This position will report to HIP’s Senior Workforce Development Program Manager. Employees working at 1.0 FTE accrue 21 days of PTO during their first year of employment. PTO is accrued on an hourly basis, with accrual based on hours worked.

This is a 1.0 FTE, limited-term, grant-funded position with potential for renewal. An FTE re-evaluation based on funding availability will take place by April 15, 2028.

While the position is budgeted as full time (1.0 FTE), candidates may discuss a mutually agreed-upon prorated schedule with HIP. For example, a 0.8 FTE schedule would be 32 hours per week, with salary and applicable benefits prorated accordingly. Any alternative schedule would be subject to organizational needs and available funding.

Candidates must be authorized to work for any U.S. employer. HIP is unable to provide visa sponsorship at this time. Candidates based in Santa Cruz County and surrounding counties are preferred and encouraged to apply.

​How to Apply:

HIP promotes a fully inclusive, equitable, trauma-informed, human-centered, and anti-racist organization that supports all levels of its staff and partners to have a significant role and responsibility in developing and implementing best practices to advance health innovation and equity. We seek applicants who have demonstrated awareness and commitment to equity, anti-racism, trauma-informed approaches, and increasing access to care. Interested candidates should submit their resume and cover letter through our application portal here . Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the job posting will remain open until filled. Priority consideration will be given to applicants that apply by end of day Tuesday, October 13th.