Area Operations Manager

Job Description

Job Description

A growing human services organization is seeking an experienced Area Operations Manager to provide field-based leadership across multiple community-based programs.

This position is responsible for operational performance, quality of services, regulatory compliance, staffing, and client outcomes across an assigned market. The role is highly visible and requires an experienced leader who is comfortable balancing people leadership, operational accountability, and hands-on field support.

Responsibilities Include:

• Provide operational oversight and leadership across multiple residential and community-based programs.
• Conduct regular site visits to evaluate service quality, safety, staffing, documentation, and compliance.
• Partner with local leadership and direct-care teams to ensure person-centered plans and service expectations are consistently implemented.
• Lead staffing efforts, including recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, training, scheduling, and workforce planning.
• Monitor staffing levels, overtime, employee performance, and required credentials.
• Identify operational risks early and develop effective corrective actions to prevent service disruption.
• Partner with clinical, quality, HR, finance, and other departments to resolve issues and improve operational performance.
• Oversee incident reporting, investigations, documentation, and required follow-up.
• Maintain readiness for regulatory surveys, audits, and inspections and assist with plans of correction when needed.
• Monitor service utilization and authorization needs and coordinate appropriate follow-up.
• Support client transitions, admissions, moves, and other changes in services.
• Maintain effective relationships with families, guardians, service coordinators, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders.
• Ensure required operational and client documentation is accurate, timely, and compliant with applicable requirements.
• Promote a culture of accountability, quality, safety, and person-centered service.

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Healthcare Administration, Social Work, Psychology, Nursing, or a related field.
• 3–5+ years of progressive leadership or supervisory experience, preferably within IDD, behavioral health, healthcare, or another regulated human services environment.
• Experience leading teams across multiple locations, programs, or service sites.
• Experience with staffing, scheduling, performance management, and operational problem-solving.
• Working knowledge of person-centered planning and service delivery.
• Experience with regulatory surveys, audits, inspections, or compliance requirements.
• Strong communication, leadership, coaching, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work independently in a field-based environment and make sound operational decisions.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office or comparable business systems.
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly throughout an assigned market.

Work Environment

This is a field-based leadership position with regular travel throughout the assigned market. The successful candidate should be comfortable spending significant time in residential and community-based service settings while maintaining administrative and operational responsibilities.

Travel: Approximately 50% within the assigned region.