ILSP Center Manager

ILSP Center Manager First Place for Youth – San Francisco, California, United States About this position First Place For Youth – Join Our Team Video! Are you dedicated to empowering and supporting youth, regardless of their background? We're searching for passionate individuals to make a positive impact on the lives of foster youth. Become an integral part of their transformative journey and join the First Place for Youth team. About First Place for Youth, we’re a leading non‑profit organization dedicated to supporting foster youth in their transition to adulthood, with a focus on education, employment, and housing. We believe that all young people deserve the opportunity to thrive and lead successful, independent lives. Our comprehensive programs empower foster youth to overcome the unique challenges they face and build the skills, confidence, and connections they need to succeed. Why Work at First Place for Youth Meaningful Impact: Help to transform the lives of foster youth on the cusp of adulthood. Your role will support them in their journey to conquer challenges, achieve independence, and fulfill their aspirations. Innovative Approach: We thrive on innovation, pushing the boundaries of foster care support. Your voice here matters, and you’ll contribute to programs that redefine the futures of these young lives. Collaborative and Supportive Environment: Embrace a dynamic and supportive workplace, where every team member is valued. Together, we're a force dedicated to uplifting youth. Comprehensive Benefits: We value the well‑being of our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package. From health and wellness benefits to retirement plans, we ensure that our team members are taken care of so they can focus on their important work supporting foster youth. Cultural Diversity and Inclusion: We celebrate diversity in every form. At First Place for Youth, inclusivity thrives, creating a workplace where all voices are heard, respected, and empowered. Position Overview The Independent Living Skills Program (ILSP) Center Operations Manager is an energetic, collaborative and results‑oriented leader who will manage overall operations of the center that serves 16‑22‑year‑old transition‑age foster and former foster youth. The ILSP Operations Manager will lead center activities, supervise center team members, and ensure a safe, welcoming, trauma‑informed space. Duties include site, contract, services, and human resource management including hiring, evaluation, coaching, and training. The role monitors outcomes to achieve program and individual youth outcomes, ensures timely and accurate budgeting, reporting, and operations in accordance with agency policy, contract compliance, and manages external relationships. The ILSP Manager reports to the Director of Programs and operates on a Monday‑through‑Friday schedule at the SF ILSP center, with occasional evenings, Saturdays, and one day at our Oakland headquarters. Duties + Responsibilities Oversee daily center operations (drop‑in hours, workshops, events, resource access). Ensure programming aligns with youth needs and developmental stages (16–22). Maintain consistent and predictable schedules and services. Monitor attendance, engagement, and service utilization. Ensure a physically and emotionally safe environment. Implement and enforce behavior expectations and boundaries. De‑escalate conflict and support youth in crisis. Build trusting relationships while maintaining professional ethics. Manage center budget, supplies, and facilities. Ensure compliance with funder requirements, mandatory reporting laws, safety and licensing standards. Track outcomes and prepare reports. Support intake and referral processes to ensure full recruitment, enrollments, and engagement of youth in program. Participate in the implementation of First Place’s outreach and marketing strategy to promote referrals, education about services, and utilization of First Place programming and services as assigned. Champion continuous quality improvement and act as a systems specialist in assigned program areas. Program Staff Supervision Hire, train, develop, and supervise/coach a multi‑disciplinary team of center staff. Manage staff schedules, coverage, and performance. Facilitate regular weekly program staff meetings. Ensure fidelity to program model through weekly individual supervision with each staff person, including routine field observations of staff. Monitor staff effectiveness and support professional growth through review of outcome and practice data. Provide training and consultation grounded in evidence‑based practice and First Place for Youth guiding principles such as trauma‑informed care, positive youth development, strength‑based approach, and motivational interviewing. Implement, train, and coach staff in best practice strategies. Ensure quality of services, accuracy, and timeliness of all participant records, including timely submission of all utilization, fidelity and outcome data. Provide direct intervention as needed, including consultative support, crisis intervention, and conflict mediation. Leadership and Cross‑Functional Collaboration Complete routine management reports and data on program activities and outcomes. Work closely with the Director of Programs and Management Team to provide leadership to the organization’s programs. Support ongoing development and evaluation of highly effective programs and organizational systems. Participate in regularly scheduled manager’s meetings, agency staff meetings, and individual supervision with the Regional Director of Programs. Provide strategic direction to First Place’s programs, utilizing data to recommend programmatic improvements. Incorporate performance management best practices to improve retention and outcomes. Provide local leadership, ensuring safe office environment. Liaise with Finance, Housing, Compliance, Talent, Development, and other departments to achieve effective and efficient programming. Community Development Develop and maintain effective working relationships with community partners including County Social Work, Child Welfare, and Probation staff. Work with referral agencies and community resource organizations to develop creative ways for participants to practice independent living skills. Represent the agency at scheduled meetings with partners and other stakeholders. Act as liaison with County Child Welfare Services, Probation, and other providers to keep program responsive to community needs. Facilitate meetings as needed with other agencies and community partners. Other duties as assigned. Qualifications Bachelor's degree strongly preferred; candidates without a degree must demonstrate a combination of relevant education and a minimum of 7 years full‑time social work or casework experience in family or child welfare services. 2–4 years of supervisory or managerial experience required. Minimum 3 years of full‑time social work or casework experience in family or child welfare services. Prior program budget management experience preferred. Crisis management and de‑escalation experience preferred. Strong dedication to cultural competency that removes barriers and increases belonging. At least two years working with underserved and disadvantaged populations, preferably current and former foster youth. Fluency in the prevailing language(s) of the community preferred. Excellent knowledge of education, employment, wraparound resources for youth and awareness of other services for young adults and young parents. Exemplary people management, strategic leadership, and ability to link development of people with organizational outcomes. Strong supervisory skills and proven success supporting staff development and empowerment. Experience organizing, managing, and evaluating programs, events, campaigns or productions. Exceptional oral and written communication skills; ability to present information to top management and program staff. Professional demeanor and ability to represent the agency with community stakeholders. Availability for occasional evening and weekend work and some travel as needed. Benefits 15 days of vacation time (first year) 12 days of sick time 2 floating holidays 15 paid holidays Employee’s choice of Kaiser or UCH HMO/PPO with up to 90% of the premium covered by First Place on certain plans Principal dental and vision coverage with up to 90% of the premium covered by First Place Healthcare and dependent care FSA plans Principal basic life and voluntary life insurance coverage Employee Assistance Program 401(k) retirement savings plan Paid sabbatical *We do not offer relocation assistance. Local candidates preferred. *Pay will be determined based on Education and Experience. We are unable to sponsor work visas now or in the future. First Place will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and applicable law. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. #J-18808-Ljbffr