Program Manager

Program Manager Job Description

Onward |Eden Prairie, MN |Part-time, salaried non-exempt W-2|30 hours/week|Reports to Executive Director

About Onward

Onward provides transitional housing and support to young adults experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Residents share a home in Eden Prairie while building stability and preparing for independent living.

Position Summary

The Program Manager leads day-to-day delivery of the residential program and provides individualized support to residents and aftercare participants. The role combines case management, house and program coordination, life-skills development, documentation, and community partnerships. The Program Manager works independently on routine matters, consults the Executive Director on significant concerns, and builds respectful relationships with clear professional boundaries.

The Program Manager models the skills Onward helps residents develop: clear communication, respectful relationships, accountability, and constructive problem-solving. This means listening to residents, respecting their autonomy, keeping appropriate boundaries, and approaching conflict calmly. The Program Manager follows through on commitments, seeks feedback, and brings potential solutions to the Executive Director when significant concerns arise.

Key Responsibilities

• Case Management and Support . Provide individualized case management. Partner with residents and aftercare participants to set goals in housing, employment, education, finances, health, relationships, and independent living; connect them with resources; and support self-advocacy. Meet individually with each resident at least monthly and provide additional support when needed. Meet with aftercare participants at least monthly, including regular home visits to provide individualized support as they transition to independent living. Document progress and follow-up. Provide transportation to appointments, grocery stores, food shelves, and occasional activities as needed.
• Resident Selection, Intake and Transition. Maintain relationships with referral partners and conduct outreach to reach prospective residents. With organizational leadership, screen and interview applicants, check references, assess readiness for shared living, complete intake and orientation, and help residents plan their transition to stable housing.
• Residential Program Management. Maintain a safe, respectful shared home. Apply house expectations fairly, identify and address conflicts in a timely and constructive manner, and coordinate plans for significant concerns with the Executive Director. Serve as the primary point of communication for house and maintenance concerns, communicating issues raised by residents to the appropriate staff, volunteers, or committee and keeping residents informed about plans and next steps. Coordinate access for scheduled maintenance and repair work and remain onsite while work is being completed to provide continuity and support for residents. Conduct quarterly bedroom safety and home-maintenance inspections under Onward policy and facilitate monthly resident meetings.
• Independent Living Support. Develop or coordinate programming that supports residents’ goals and preparation for independent living. Organize resident community-building activities at least every other month on average. Engage volunteers and partners where useful.
• Program Development. Strengthen program policies, tools, services, and partnerships in collaboration with the Executive Director, Board committees, volunteers, and community agencies.
• Documentation, Outcomes and Program Administration. Maintain accurate, timely, objective resident records and outcome data; protect confidentiality; and prepare a monthly program report for the Executive Director and Board.
• Program Evaluation and Continuous Improvement . Monitor resident experiences and outcomes, identify recurring concerns, and recommend and help implement improvements.
• Community and Volunteer Engagement. Maintain positive working relationships with house volunteers, coordinate house activities while respecting resident confidentiality, and represent Onward at relevant community meetings and events.
• Other Duties. Perform other related duties as assigned by the Executive Director to support Onward's mission and program operations.

Required Qualifications

• Professional experience in case management, human services, housing services, youth or young-adult programming, or a related field.
• Ability to build trust across varied backgrounds while maintaining professional boundaries; communicate clearly; navigate conflict constructively; and exercise sound judgment about when to consult or escalate.
• Strong organization, independent problem-solving, follow-through, accurate documentation, and ability to handle confidential information.
• Reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, and ability to use a personal vehicle for work-related travel, including transporting program participants.
• Ability to work a flexible part-time schedule that includes some scheduled late-afternoon and evening hours and occasional weekend hours.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, psychology, counseling, education, public health, or a related field.
• Experience with young adults, housing instability, residential programs, trauma-informed and strengths-based approaches, life-skills programming, community resources, or outcomes reporting.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a part-time, salaried non-exempt W-2 position regularly scheduled for 30 hours per week, with an annual salary range of $49,500-$57,000. Benefits include 120 hours of paid time off annually, 11 paid holidays, and a health care stipend.

Schedule and Work Environment

The Program Manager is regularly scheduled to work 30 hours per week and receives a fixed salary based on that schedule. As a non-exempt employee, the Program Manager is required to accurately record all hours worked. Hours worked beyond 30 per week will be compensated at the equivalent hourly rate, with overtime premiums paid when required by law. Additional hours require advance approval from the Executive Director.

The Program Manager will hold and communicate onsite office hours at Onward House at least four days per week in blocks of at least four hours (at least 16 hours weekly), scheduled when residents are reasonably likely to be available, including appropriate late-afternoon or evening hours. The Program Manager will share a rolling two-week schedule and promptly communicate changes. Remaining hours may include resident appointments and transportation, community meetings, documentation, program development, and administrative work.

The position is not responsible for after-hours or on-call coverage. The Program Manager’s 30-hour work schedule will include flexibility for occasional evening hours to accommodate resident meetings and activities, community events, Board or committee meetings, and other scheduled program activities. Occasional weekend hours may also be needed for scheduled activities or events.

Physical Requirements

This position involves a combination of office, residential, and community-based work. Responsibilities may require sitting or standing for extended periods, walking, navigating stairs, and occasionally lifting or carrying program supplies. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to enable qualified individuals to perform the essential functions of the position.

Transportation and Mileage Reimbursement The Program Manager will use their personal vehicle for work-related travel, including transporting residents and aftercare participants, attending community meetings, and completing program errands. Onward reimburses authorized business mileage at the current IRS standard mileage rate, excluding regular commuting between home and Onward House, in accordance with organizational policy. How to Apply Interested candidates should submit a resume and brief cover letter or statement of interest to Tricia Wright, Executive Director, at tricia@onwardep.org .

Priority consideration will be given to applications received by November 10, 2026. Applications will be reviewed as received and accepted until the position is filled.