Program Manager

Location: San Mateo

Salary: $83,000 to $93,000 annually

Organization Overview

Founded in 2004, Brilliant Corners provides innovative housing and housing-related services to California’s most vulnerable individuals, with an emphasis on those transitioning from, or at risk of, homelessness or institutionalization. We develop, own, and manage multi-family supportive housing and licensed residential care homes. We implement a broad array of scattered-site, one-on-one supportive housing, and clinical case management programs through partnerships with developmental services, homeless services, veterans’ services, and health care sectors.

In short, we do good work.

We have offices statewide with a staff of passionate people. While we are growing rapidly, we are also selective: We’re seeking inspired, talented people who want to be effecting profound change and who have fun doing it. 

Department Summary

Brilliant Corners partners with Health Plan of San Mateo, San Mateo County, and other community partners and managed care plans to provide person-centered housing services and Community Supports to health plan members. Services help individuals access, transition into, and maintain stable housing and include housing navigation, tenancy-sustaining services, rental assistance, and Community Supports such as Housing Transition Navigation Services and Transitional Rent.

Brilliant Corners works closely with health plans, County partners, service providers, landlords, and community-based organizations to coordinate housing services and connect members to appropriate resources and supports.

Position Summary

The Program Manager oversees the day-to-day operations of Brilliant Corners’ housing programs and Community Supports in San Mateo County, with support and guidance from the Associate Director. Responsible for ensuring high-quality service delivery, effective program operations, compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements, and the achievement of program objectives, the Program Manager manages grant and service agreements, monitors program outcomes, and supports reporting requirements.

This role serves as a key agency representative in meetings with funders, health plans, County partners, and community stakeholders. Internal management responsibilities include supervising direct reports—such as a Program Supervisor who oversees direct service staff—managing operational expenses, supporting annual budget development, and providing direct coverage when necessary.

Driven by a deep understanding of the critical impact stable, community-based housing has on individual health and well-being, the Program Manager brings a creative, solutions-oriented, and flexible approach to complex operational challenges. The ideal candidate pairs a strong customer service ethic and experience working with individuals with disabilities and diverse populations with practical knowledge of property management and tenant support, maintaining a steadfast commitment to high-quality service, team leadership, and client outcomes.

Position Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and supervision to assigned staff, including hiring, onboarding, coaching, performance management, professional development, and accountability for individual and team performance.
• Oversee the day-to-day operations and implementation of housing services and Community Supports, including referral, service delivery, documentation, coordination, and compliance workflows.
• Monitor program performance and conduct routine quality assurance reviews of service delivery, documentation, and compliance with contractual, regulatory, and organizational requirements; identify areas for improvement and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Ensure program objectives, deliverables, service standards, and performance expectations are met in accordance with funder and organizational requirements.
• Meet with direct reports at least biweekly, including in-person meetings at the office, to provide ongoing supervision, coaching, and support.
• Facilitate monthly, in-person all-staff team meetings to support communication, coordination, training, and team development.
• Manage relationships with key stakeholders, including health plans, County partners, community-based organizations, landlords, service providers, and individuals served.
• Represent Brilliant Corners in meetings with funders, public agencies, community partners, and other external stakeholders.
• Utilize Salesforce, Excel, accounting software, and other systems to monitor program operations, outcomes, and key performance indicators; ensure accurate and timely reporting to internal and external stakeholders and use data to inform program improvements.
• Monitor program expenditures, approve check requests and other program-related expenses, support budget development and forecasting, and ensure spending aligns with approved budgets and contractual requirements.
• Develop, maintain, and implement training plans to ensure assigned staff have the knowledge and skills necessary to perform their roles effectively and deliver high-quality services.
• Develop and maintain program procedures, workflows, and tools to support consistent and efficient operations and service delivery.
• Partner with the Associate Director and other internal departments to address operational challenges, implement program improvements, and support organizational and departmental priorities.
• Ensure staff understand and adhere to applicable company policies, program requirements, and established procedures.
• Provide operational and supervisory coverage as needed to ensure continuity of program services.
• Attend required agency-wide and department meetings and trainings.
• Other duties as assigned by the Director and Associate Director.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Bilingual skills a plus.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage and build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent organizational, project management, and planning skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, workflows, and deadlines in a dynamic program environment.
• Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to coach, develop, and hold staff accountable while fostering a collaborative team environment.
• Demonstrates the knowledge, attitude, and skills necessary to deliver culturally responsive services and work effectively in cross-cultural situations.
• Knowledge of affordable housing, housing services, Fair Housing laws, reasonable accommodations, and related community-based services.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel required; experience with Salesforce or other CRM/database systems preferred.
• Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to exercise sound independent judgment and use data and program information to inform decisions.
• Ability to understand and implement program, contractual, compliance, and documentation requirements across complex service delivery workflows.
• Flexibility regarding scheduling, competing priorities, and evolving program and organizational needs.
• Access to reliable transportation and possession of a valid California driver’s license, clean driving record, and automobile insurance.
• Ability to collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions from complex, technical instructions—including mathematical, diagrammatic, and written formats—while navigating multiple abstract and concrete variables.
• Skilled in reading, interpreting, and summarizing budgets, government regulations, leases, professional journals, and public agency documents.
• Demonstrated ability to write professional business correspondence, reports, and applications, as well as present information clearly to diverse groups and individuals.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Agility: Future-oriented, strategically coordinates resources and stakeholders to optimize support, proactively navigating challenges through planning and critical thinking
• Process Management: Excels at developing and organizing efficient workflows, measuring key aspects, and simplifying complex processes to maximize resource utilization
• Building Effective Teams: Builds cohesive, high-performing teams through collaboration, positive culture, coaching, cross-functional work, and recognition of successes
• Functional/Technical Expertise: Possesses advanced functional/technical skills of direct reports, enabling high-level task accomplishment, optimal partner support, and team development

Organizational Values

• Humanity: Putting people first: We are committed to meeting people where they’re at, honoring their dignity, diversity, and experience.
• Community: Building a better future: Sustainable housing solutions are fostered through partnership, collaboration, and human connection.
• Ingenuity: Innovating for transformation: Systems-change requires relentless determination, thinking outside the box and challenging the status quo.

Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations

A valid, clean CA driver’s license and a personal insured vehicle are required.

Travel Requirements

This position requires a valid driver's license and may be tasked to drive for the course of business.

TB Testing

Position requires TB screening/clearance in accordance with applicable law and funder requirements; testing is provided at employer expense.

Physical Requirements

Candidates should have physical mobility for tasks such as standing, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, twisting, and walking on uneven surfaces. They should be capable of performing stationary tasks like sitting for up to 6 to 8 hours a day.  Additionally, candidates should be able to lift, carry, push, pull light to moderate weights up to 15 pounds safely. Requires mental acuity for analytical reasoning and document interpretation.

Salary range for this position is $83,000 to $93,000 annually. This position is being offered at $83,000 to $93,000 annually.

Brilliant Corners does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental, & Vision) 

• Retirement Plan (With 5% Match) 
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary and AD&D) 
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays) 
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity) 
• Short Term & Long-Term Disability 
• Training & Development 
• Wellness Resources 
• Hybrid Work