The University of Iowa Department of Psychiatry is seeking a Program Manager to help lead Iowa CONNECT, a new SAMHSA-funded program serving adolescents and young adults ages 12-25 who may be at clinical high risk for psychosis.
This is an opportunity for an experienced program professional who enjoys turning ideas into effective systems. The Program Manager will provide day-to-day operational leadership for Iowa CONNECT, working closely with the Project Director/psychiatrist and a supportive multidisciplinary team of clinicians, community engagement staff, supported employment and education staff, trainees, and program partners.
The position is ideal for someone who enjoys working at the intersection of behavioral health, program implementation, operations, grant management, budget and financial management, and quality improvement, and who wants meaningful ownership of building a new program from the ground up.
Following satisfactory completion of training and performance requirements, the position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement allowing for a combination of in-person and remote work within the state of Iowa. Per policy, work arrangements will be reviewed annually and must comply with the remote work program and related policies and employee travel policy when working at a remote location.
About Iowa CONNECT
Iowa CONNECT is a multidisciplinary specialty program serving adolescents and young adults ages 12-25 who may be at clinical high risk for psychosis, along with their families. The program emphasizes early identification, youth- and family-centered care, shared decision-making, culturally responsive and trauma-informed practice, and helping young people remain engaged in meaningful relationships, school, work, and community life. Team members receive specialized training and work closely together through regular case consultation and program meetings.
The University of Iowa offers comprehensive employee benefits, retirement options, paid leave, professional-development opportunities, and the resources and stability of a major academic medical center and public university. For more information about Why Iowa?, click here
Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities
- Lead the day-to-day implementation and operation of Iowa CONNECT and serve as the SAMHSA-designated Program Coordinator.
- Develop, implement, and continuously improve workflows for referral, screening, eligibility, assessment, enrollment, treatment, follow-up, and transitions in care.
- Coordinate activities across the multidisciplinary Iowa CONNECT team and promote clear communication and follow-through among clinical, outreach, vocational/educational, trainee, and administrative staff.
- Work closely with the Project Director/psychiatrist on program priorities, staffing, clinical-program interfaces, implementation challenges, and strategic planning.
- Coordinate staff onboarding, role-specific training, and implementation of program procedures.
- Monitor referral volume, enrollment, census, clinician capacity, service engagement, deliverables, and program timelines.
- Coordinate weekly multidisciplinary team and program meetings and ensure follow-through on operational decisions.
- Identify implementation barriers and develop practical solutions in collaboration with program leadership and staff.
- Develop and maintain policies, procedures, tracking systems, and other infrastructure needed to support consistent program operations.
- Monitor implementation and fidelity to the Iowa CONNECT service model and coordinate quality-improvement activities when gaps are identified.
- Use program and participant-level data to identify opportunities to improve access, engagement, efficiency, and outcomes.
- Coordinate SAMHSA performance reporting, and other required program data collection in collaboration with clinical and evaluation staff.
- Support preparation of progress reports, continuation materials, site visits, and other federal grant requirements.
- Partner with the Project Director and departmental grants and finance staff to monitor the Iowa CONNECT budget, personnel expenditures, and other program costs.
- Track spending against the approved budget and identify anticipated surpluses, shortfalls, staffing changes, or needed reallocations.
- Assist with annual budget development, budget justifications, personnel projections, and other financial documentation.
- Coordinate with University finance, sponsored programs, human resources, purchasing, and other administrative offices as needed.
- Help ensure appropriate documentation of expenditures and use of grant funds within applicable budget periods and federal and University requirements.
- Support long-term sustainability planning and integration of Iowa CONNECT within existing clinical and community systems.
- Foster a collaborative, supportive team culture focused on youth- and family-centered care, shared problem-solving, and continuous learning.
Classification Title: Program Manager, PAD2
Department/Division: Psychiatry
Staff Type: Professional and Scientific
Pay Level: 5A
Type of Position: Specified Term, 12 months with possibility of extension
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in psychology, public health, social work, health administration, health sciences, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
- At least one year's experience managing or coordinating complex healthcare, behavioral health, research, community-service, or federally funded programs.
- Demonstrated ability to independently manage multiple workstreams, timelines, priorities, and deliverables.
- Strong organizational, problem-solving, interpersonal, and written communication skills.
- Experience with budget management, financial tracking, or administration of sponsored projects.
- Experience working effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
- Ability to develop, implement, and improve operational systems and workflows.
Desirable Qualifications
- Master's degree in public health, social work, psychology, health administration, or a related field.
- Experience with SAMHSA, NIH, or other federally funded programs.
- Two or more years' experience managing or coordinating complex healthcare, behavioral health, research, community-service, or federally funded programs.
- Experience implementing behavioral-health or clinical-service programs.
- Experience with serious mental illness, early psychosis, youth mental health, or community behavioral health.
- Experience supervising or coordinating staff.
- Experience with program evaluation, quality improvement, implementation fidelity, or performance monitoring.
- Familiarity with federal grant budgeting, allowable costs, personnel effort, or financial reporting.
- Experience working with institutional grants management, finance, procurement, or human resources offices.
Application Process
In order to be considered, applicants must upload a Cover Letter and Resume (under submission relevant materials) that clearly address how they meet the listed required and desired qualifications of this position.
Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days. This job may be removed from posting and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification.
Professional references will be required at a later time in the recruitment process.
For more information, contact lori-posey@uiowa.edu .
Additional Information
- Classification Title: Program Manager
- Appointment Type: Professional and Scientific
- Schedule: Full-time
- Work Modality Options: Hybrid within Iowa
Compensation
Contact Information
- Organization: Healthcare
- Contact Name: Lori Posey
- Contact Email: lori-posey@uiowa.edu